Bachelor of Legal Studies
Course code/s: LBLS Melbourne
This degree aims to equip students with knowledge and skills that are relevant to a range of law-related vocational contexts including research and policy development, criminology and criminal justice, legal education, human rights and social justice, advocacy, community development and social welfare. The degree offers a unique interdisciplinary perspective on law and legal issues by combining subjects in legal studies and criminology, with electives drawn from other disciplines taught in the university, especially the humanities and social sciences.
Core subjects at first, second and third year level provide the framework for understanding and assessing the relationship between law and society, the nature and function of legal institutions, and the role of law in relation to social change and social justice. The vocational aspect of the degree is underscored by specially designed subjects including the foundation skills-based Legal Practices (LST1LEP) and Legal Studies Workplace Practice (LST3LSW) which provides an intensive overview of vocational practices and pathways for graduates in Legal Studies. In their third year, students also gain practical experience by undertaking the work placement subject, Legal Studies Workplace Competence (LST3LWC). By selecting from a wide range of electives students are able to tailor their study to reflect their personal and vocational interests.
Degree requirements
First year (120 credit points)
In first year, students must complete:
- LST1LEP, LST1LAS and LST1CCR
- three, first-year elective subjects from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, totalling 45cp, and
- two, first-year elective subjects from either the faculty or anywhere within the university (pre-requisites permitting), totalling 30cp.
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Law and Legal Consciousness | LST1LAS |
| TE-SEM-1 | Legal Practices | LST1LEP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Crime and Criminology | LST1CCR |
Second year (120 credit points)
In second year, students must complete:
- LST2LJP
- Three 15 credit point subjects at second year level chosen from the list below. This should include LST2RML unless this subject is going to be completed at third year level.
- Second-year elective subjects from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, totalling 30cp, and
- Second-year elective subjects either from the Faculty or anywhere in the University (pre-requisites permitting), totalling 30cp.
Third year (120 credit points)
In third year, students must complete:
- LST3LPC
- LST3LWC (30 credit points)
- One 15 credit point subject at third year level chosen from the list below. This must be LST3RML if the subject, LST2RML has not been completed at second year level.
- Third-year elective subjects from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, totalling 30cp, and
- Third-year elective subjects either from the Faculty or anywhere in the University (pre-requisites permitting), totalling 30cp.
| Second year subjects (15 credit points unless otherwise stated) | ||
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Law, Justice and Power (Core subject) | LST2LJP |
| TE-SEM-1 | Aborigines and the State | ANT2AAS |
| TE-SEM-1 | Crime, Law and Culture | LST2CLC |
| TE-SEM-1 | Deviance, Criminality and Social Control | SOC2DCS |
| TE-SEM-1 | Research Methods in Legal Studies and Political Science | LST2RML |
| TE-SEM-2 | Drugs, Law and Social Justice | LST2DLS |
| TE-SEM-2 | Law and Development in Comparative Perspective | LST2LDC |
| TE-SEM-2 | Law, Rights and Social Justice | LST2LSJ |
| TE-SEM-2 | Police, Law and Order | LST2POL |
| TE-SEM-2 | Social Policy, Welfare and the State | SOC2SWS |
| Third year subjects (15 credit points unless otherwise stated) | ||
| Summer School | Legal Studies Workplace Practice | LST3LSW |
| TE-SEM-1 | Aborigines and the State | ANT3AAS |
| TE-SEM-1 | Crime, Law and Culture | LST3CLC |
| TE-SEM-1 | Deviance, Criminality and Social Control | SOC3DCS |
| TE-SEM-1 | Reading Course A | LST3RCA |
| TE-SEM-1 | Research Methods in Legal Studies and Political Science | LST3RML |
| TE-SEM-2 | Drugs, Law and Social Justice | LST3DLS |
| TE-SEM-2 | Law and Development in Comparative Perspective | LST3LDC |
| TE-SEM-2 | Law, Policy and Community (Core subject) | LST3LPC |
| TE-SEM-2 | Law, Rights and Social Justice | LST3LSJ |
| TE-SEM-2 | Legal Studies Workplace Competence (30 cp) | LST3LWC |
| TE-SEM-2 | Police, Law and Order | LST3POL |
| TE-SEM-2 | Reading Course B | LST3RCB |
| TE-SEM-2 | Social Policy, Welfare and the State | SOC3SWS |
Not offered in 2012
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject Code | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Punishment in Context* | LST2PIC/LST3PIC | |
| TE-SEM-1 | Social Theories of Deviance | SOC2STD/SOC3STD | |
| TE-SEM-2 | Contesting Social Policy | SOC2CSP/SOC3CSP | |
| TE-SEM-2 | Discrimination and the Law* | LST2DAL/LST3DAL | |
| TE-SEM-2 | Displacement, Flight and Refuge | ANT2DFR/ANT3DFR | |
| TE-SEM-2 | Victimology* | LST2VIC/LST3VIC | |
*Available in 2013
Honours program in legal studies for Bachelor of Legal Studies and Bachelor of Arts students
Honours consists of a full year of study and is available to students who have completed a three year Bachelor of Legal Studies and who have met honours entry requirements. In order to be admitted to Honours students must usually have achieved a strong B average in their second and third year Legal Studies subjects and, from 2013 onwards, will also be expected to have completed either LST2RML or LST3RML.
During honours, students must complete prescribed fourth year honours subjects as well as a 12,000-15,000 word research thesis. Research on the thesis is undertaken throughout the year in consultation with an approved supervisor. Prospective candidates are strongly advised to identify a thesis topic and potential supervisors before completing the third year of their degree. Students may enrol in honours on a full-time or part-time basis. Mid-year commencement is also possible. Entry into honours is by application. Students who are interested in pursuing honours are encouraged to speak with Legal Studies staff about their interests and to attend the advertised Honours information session which is held towards the end of second semester each year.
For further information about Legal studies, please email legalstudies@latrobe.edu.au or by telephone on (03) 9479 2690 or (03) 9479 1315.