LEGAL CHANGE, LEGISLATION AND LAW REFORM
LAW3LCL
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
The chief tool for implementation of legal change is legislation. This subject critically examines the technique of parliamentary legislation as an ongoing process of achieving social change. The 'life cycle' of legislation is fully examined - from its emergence, drafting, and parliamentary phases, to its post-enactment phases: its interpretation, implementation and impact. Interdisciplinary perspectives and a case study of legislative change inform the subject. The subject is a practical one; its broad aims being to assist students in evaluating proposed or enacted legislation and to prepare students for participation in law reform, whether inside or outside of government.
School: La Trobe Law School
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Jeffrey Barnes
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: LAW1LIM
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: LAW2LCL, LAWLCLR, LAW10LCL
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: Current enrolment in Bachelor of Laws or the permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Legal Change, Legislation and Law Reform | Prescribed | Barnes, J. | LA TROBE UNIVERSITY |
| Readings | How to Do Things with Rules, latest edition | Preliminary | Twining, W. and Miers, D. | Cambridge U P |
| Readings | Law, Government and Public Policy, Chapter 1 | Preliminary | Cranston, R. | OXFORD, 1987 |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Be able to locate, by legal research, material on each of the five main phases of the life cycle of an Act of Parliament
- Activities:
- Lecture on research methods; modelling in lecture
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Inquiry/Research)
02. Be able to give an effective oral presentation on a phase in the life cycle of an Act of Parliament
- Activities:
- Written guidance; modelling in lecture; experience of other tutorial presentations
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Speaking)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Inquiry/Research)
03. Be able to give constructive feedback on a draft research report on the life cycle of an Act of Parliament
- Activities:
- Written guidance on giving constructive feedback; tutorial exercise in giving constructive feedback
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Inquiry/Research)
04. Be able to evaluate the use or proposed use of an Act of Parliament as an instrument of public policy
- Activities:
- Lectures on use of Parliament as an instrument of public policy; modelling in lecture of application of theory; tutorial presentations and discussions; model essays made available; lecturer feedback on paper for tutorial presentation # Peer assessment of tutorial presentation and constructive feedback on draft research report
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Inquiry/Research)
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Jeffrey Barnes
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
TutorialWeek: 11 - 22
One 2.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial presentation (oral), and accompanying 750-word written paper | 20 | 01, 02, 04 | |
| 1 x 2,700-word research essay | 65 | 01, 02, 04 | |
| Peer assessment of tutorial presentations (1,000 words) | 15 | 03, 04 |