Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit examines the ways in which law both creates and responds to power in contemporary societies. Students will analyse how law operates in different contexts, whose interests it serves, and how it can reinforce, challenge, and reimagine existing power structures. The unit will explore the concepts of law and power through various 'focus areas' which will change from year to year, but may include:
(a) Gender and the law;
(b) Religion and the law;
(c) Judges and judging;
(d) Globalisation and international legal power;
(e) Climate and the environment; and
(f) Regulating technology and artificial intelligence.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) On-campus -
The timetable for this teaching period is not currently available. Please see the Important Dates page for the timetable release date and other key date information.
- Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 core unit in the Law and Society major sequence
- Level 3 option in the Criminology; Human Rights; Criminology and Criminal Justice major sequences
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate advanced knowledge of how law reflects and is shaped by social, political, and economic power.; (2) demonstrate an ability to critically examine the role of law in producing, distributing, and resisting power across different contexts.; (3) assess the significance of legal actors and institutions as sites of power in mediating relationships between individuals, the law, the state, and society.; (4) apply skills in critical analysis and argumentation to respond to real-world scenarios involving law and power.; and (5) demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills..
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) participation; (2) judgment writing assignment; and (3) final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Renae Barker
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Successful completion of 66 points in your chosen degree and
- Advisable prior study
- Students who are enrolled in the Law and Society major should ensure they have completed LAWS2227 Law in Action and at least one level 2 Law and Society option unit before taking this unit.
- Contact hours
- 3 hours per week
- Note
- Students who are enrolled in the Law and Society major should ensure they have completed LAWS2227 Law in Action and at least one level 2 Law and Society option unit before taking this unit.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.