Postgraduate Module Descriptor


LAWM689: The Family, Law and Social Change

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Module Aims

This module will through the lens of family law and policy critically examine the way in which law responds to social change. It aims to evaluate the theoretical explanations for the nature of this relationship, the doctrinal influences on a domestic and international level and the direct and indirect impact on it of inter-disciplinary socio-legal research.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Engage in critical reading of national and international theoretical, doctrinal and socio-legal writing on family law to achieve a developed understanding of the various critiques of the relationship between the family, law and society.
2. Appreciate the sometimes controversial role of socio-legal research in uncovering and identifying the changing processes and social developments which lie behind it.
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Develop an inter-disciplinary approach to socio-legal issues, express their own thoughts on the topics studied, such as sociological, political or policy-oriented reflections.
4. Combine and draw on both theoretical approaches and inter-disciplinary empirical research, while demonstrating the ability to address competing arguments.
Personal and Key Skills5. Capacity to conduct independent study and group work and meet deadlines.
6. Develop critical approach to legal and socio-legal research in the family law and policy domain.
7. Develop high level of competence in accessing legal and socio-legal bibliographic sources.
8. Assemble systematic and sustained argument in a family law context.