CVL4030

Celebrant and client: legal, ethical and personal issues

Fred Klarberg

12 points -3 hours per week -Second semester -On-campus -Caulfield

Objectives On completion of the subject the students will have become acquainted with legal principles pertaining to rites of passage; developed a sense of appropriate ethics for civil celebrants; become aware of the need for sensitivity when interacting with people at points of passage; acquired an understanding of the diverse ways in which counselling services may be offered; ability to facilitate marriage and relationship education; and how they can assist in appropriate referral.

Synopsis The nature of a profession and the professional status of civil celebrants and their knowledge of issues to pass on to other professionals are examined. Issues discussed include legislation and precedent, registration of births, marriages and deaths, engagements (legal/ethical), premarital education, notice regarding obligation of marriage, formalities, authorised celebrants, capacity to contract a marriage, the requirements for a valid marriage, authorised celebrants, capacity to contract a marriage and immigration, divorce, children's issues, private international law, death certificates, principles of ethics, ethical dilemmas, (client and professional), decisions about referral, consultation, confidentiality, listening skills, an introductory understanding of theories pertaining to marriage, grief and loss, marriage and relationship education facilitating; and interacting with people at times of emotional stress.

Assessment Essays on legal issues (3200 words): 35% -Essay on ethical issues (2600 words): 30% -Essay on personal issues (3200 words): 35%

Recommended texts

Attorney General's Dept Handbook for marriage celebrants AGPS, 1988
Weeks, Wendy and John Wilson (eds) Issues facing Australian families: human services respond 2nd edn, Longman, 1995
Winkler E R and J R Coombs (eds.) Applied ethics: A reader Blackwell, 1993

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