LAW-20046 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Within a framework of sociological and political theories of families, we will attempt to provide and develop a critical understanding of the law relating to families but also learn how family disputes are resolved in practice.
Topics include: creation, structure and regulation of the family unit; concepts and definitions of family and marriage; domestic abuse; family breakdown; family finance; and the law relating to parents and their children.
This year, we will be teaching in workshop format - this will require you to read and prepare to share your ideas, findings and to critically reflect upon the workshop topic(s). The teaching is designed to be collaborative and so I encourage you to discuss and work together in the workshops. The module is delivered through 10 x 2 hour workshops with a Revision Advice, Essay Guidance and Planning recording provided to help prepare you for the assignment submission. Additional resources will be provided throughout the module to you, including a 'Food for Thought' folder which is not a topic per se we will cover but provides a space for additional materials that I may create or links to further reading upon issues alluded to or raised within the workshops which fall outside the remit of the current module due to time constraints. I will amend and add resources as issues are raised by you, the cohort and it gives you a way to influence and build the content through your questions.

To provide a critical understanding of the law relating to families.
To be able to take a 'socio-legal' approach to examining the subject so that students examine family law within a framework of sociological and political theories of families.
To explore the ways in which the law creates, structures and regulates family units.
To understand how in practice the law regulates the end of formal partner relationships with specific reference to finance.
The workshop format will develop active learning, and enhance independent study skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

articulate an acceptable level of knowledge of the substantive legal principles underpinning Family Law, both in writing and orally: 1
undertake independent legal research to critically analyse key areas of family law and developments or reforms in this area: 1
produce an acceptable piece of written work using conventional English and the accepted apparatus of Legal scholarship: 1
critically appraise specific cases under consideration and their relevance to the development of related principles in Family law: 1

Study hours

Active learning: 10 x 2 hour lecture and seminar combined = 20 hours
Workshop preparation = 30 hours
Private study = 40 hours
Essay research and writing = 60 hours
TOTAL = 150 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment