Honours in Law and Society

Law and Society scholars examine broad theoretical issues about the nature of law and society as well as how the relationship between the two plays out in particular fields of legal and social policy at both domestic and international levels. Study in this discipline develops important skills in research, analysis, teamwork and communication.

Honours in Law and Society is designed to increase understanding of important theoretical perspectives, while also developing key practical skills relevant to work in or with government and non-government organisations (e.g. policy development and implementation). Through close attention to key texts, and the examination of critical current issues and debates, students will expand and deepen their specialist knowledge gained in the Law and Society major, and develop advanced-level research and critical thinking skills.

Outcomes: Students are able to (1) demonstrate coherent and advanced knowledge of key theories, concepts and issues in law and society; (2) demonstrate a broad understanding of relevant socio-legal research methodologies; (3) synthesise literature and research findings with intellectual independence to provide understanding of complex socio-legal challenges; (4) apply their knowledge, research and writing skills in order to design and execute an original law and society research project; and (5) demonstrate understanding of theoretical concepts in law and society through both cognitive and technical skills.

Entry requirements: Enrolment in the BPhil or a weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent in the Level 3 units of the Law and Society major, or equivalent, as determined by the relevant board.

Intake periods: Beginning of year only

Honours sequence

Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2021; NS = non-standard teaching period

Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.

Take all units (36 points):
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit rules
S1, S2LAWS4201Dissertation (Law and Society) Part 1
Prerequisites:
LAWS3341 Investigating Law and Society
or
LAWS3344 Law and Contemporary Social Issues
or
LAWS3316 Law, Advocacy, Activism and Change
S1, S2LAWS4202Dissertation (Law and Society) Part 2
Prerequisites:
LAWS4201 Dissertation (Law and Society) Part 1
NSLAWS4227Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions
Incompatibility:
Students with a recognised Law degree
or
LAWS5227 Foundations of Law and Governance.
N/ASOCS4100Honours Research Skills
Incompatibility:
COMM4101 Concepts in Communication, COMM7481 Honours Seminar 1 (Communication Studies)
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit rules
NSLAWS5215Theory & Practice of Risk Regulation
NSLAWS5223Theories of Justice and Punishment
Prerequisites:
For Master of Public Policy
or
Graduate Certificate of Public Policy students without a recognised Law degree: LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions.
NSLAWS5224Foundations of Public International Law
Prerequisites:
For Master of Public Policy
or
Graduate Certificate of Public Policy students without a recognised Law degree: LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions.
NSLAWS5226International Human Rights Law
Co-requisites:
for Master of International Law (coursework) (21520) and Graduate Diploma in International Law (21320) students: LAWS5224 Foundations of Public International Law
or
equivalent; for students in other courses: none
NSLAWS5260Intersections of Law, Policy and Government
OCEN4001
NSPOLS5501The Politics of Public Policy
Incompatibility:
LAWS5214 Public Policy