DISCRIMINATION AND THE LAW

LST2DLA

Not currently offered

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Discrimination and unfavourable treatment form the basis of inequality and the exclusion of citizenship in both public and private spheres. In this subject, we examine the concepts of formal and substantive equality and the limits and possibilities of Australian anti-discrimination legislation for eliminating discrimination and promoting equality within a broader societal context. We also evaluate the extent to which law itself perpetuates, or contributes to, inequality. The specific topics that we focus on include: race (including Indigenous disadvantage and vilification); religion (including religious vilification); sex (including sexual harassment, breast-feeding and pregnancy-related discrimination); sexuality (including same-sex marriage, access to assisted reproductive technologies and vilification); disability (including intellectual and physical impairment, as well as the controversies associated with discrimination on the grounds of obesity and mental illness); age (including workplace, educational and media forms of age discrimination); and physical appearance.

SchoolHumanities and Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorEmma Russell

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG

Available as ElectiveNo

Learning ActivitiesTutorial discussion and activities; quizzes; peer review assignment; research essay; fact and issue sheet; research essay

Capstone subjectNo

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites 15 credit points of any first year Crime, Justice and Legal Studies subject and 15 credit points of any Humanities and Social Sciences subject

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsLST2DAL OR LST3DAL

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Quota Management StrategyN/A

Quota-conditions or rulesN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Minimum credit point requirementN/A

Assumed knowledgeN/A

Career Ready

Career-focusedNo

Work-based learningNo

Self sourced or Uni sourcedN/A

Entire subject or partial subjectN/A

Total hours/days requiredN/A

Location of WBL activity (region)N/A

WBL addtional requirementsN/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Critically define and examine the key concepts of "equality" and "discrimination" from an interdisciplinary perspective.
02. Demonstrate an understanding of how key concepts (on equality and discrimination apply and relate to personal conceptions of self, identity and citizenship.
03. Use interdisciplinary theories to understand the nature of discrimination in society, as well as the effects of law on human subjects.
04. Locate and summarise relevant Internet material on discrimination and/or the social effects of anti-discrimination legislation.
05. Write about anti-discrimination legislation in Australia, demonstrating an understanding of the limits and potential of law as a social force.
06. Write about the gap between formal and substantive equality, and comment on the systemic nature of discrimination in Australian society contrasted to the liberal ideals of justice, equality and rights.

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