MLJ712 - Family Law and Policy
Unit details
| Year: | 2021 unit information |
|---|---|
| Important Update: | Unit delivery will continue to be provided in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. This may include a mix of on-campus and online activities. To find out how you are impacted, please check your unit sites for announcements and updates. Unit sites open one week prior to the start of each Trimester/Semester. Thank you for your flexibility and commitment to studying with Deakin in 2021. Last updated: 4 June 2021 |
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Michele Tucker |
| Cohort rule: | For M729 (Juris Doctor) students only |
| Prerequisite: | MLJ701 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - cloud: | 1 x 2h class (recordings provided) + 1h online seminar (live streamed and recordings provided) per week |
Content
This unit aims to equip students with the knowledge and ability to apply, critically evaluate and effectively communicate family law, and develop a deep appreciation of major policy issues and developments in the law.
Topics include: the Family Law Act 1975, historical and jurisdictional developments in family law, property division, spousal maintenance, family violence, and marriage, divorce and nullity.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Construct a broad and sophisticated understanding of, and critical thinking about, the image of the modern family, and recognise and critically discuss, the sociological and legal factors affecting the family, and its formation, whether de jure or de facto/domestic relationship | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Discuss, analyse and explore the Jurisdictional and constitutional aspects of family law along with the significant policy debates and theoretical perspectives | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Consider and identify legislation and case law to determine the difference between a de jure and de facto/domestic relationship, and apply the law to the circumstances that give rise to a valid application for a divorce in relation to a de jure marriage or a declaration of nullity or invalidity of marriage | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO4 | Consider, identify, analyse and apply the law as it relates to division of property (including superannuation), the granting of spousal maintenance upon the breakdown of a de jure marriage or a de facto/domestic relationship and the methods for resolving disputes | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO5 | Critically reflect on and analyse the concept of the importance attached to the rights of children under international and domestic law, and identify and apply the legislation and case law in respect of the best interests of a child | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO6 | Critically evaluate issues of family violence and the relevance it has on both process and substantive law in respect of parenting and financial disputes | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
GLO key: GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities, GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy, GLO4: Critical thinking, GLO5: Problem solving, GLO6: Self-management, GLO7: Teamwork, GLO8: Global Citizenship
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
| Assessment 1: (Individual) Research and prepare a memorandum of advice | 2000 words | 20% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 2: (Individual) Court submission and presentation | Court submission: 2000 words Presentation: 5 minutes | 20% | Week 9 |
| Assessment 3: (Individual) Family Law File | 6000 words | 60% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: MLJ712 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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