LAW5217 - Law reform and community development

Offered

Not offered in 2007

Synopsis

Through Springvale Monash Legal Service, students will work with identified groups in the community who are experiencing injustice because of their common identity, particular legal problem or their poverty. Students will acquire a theoretical framework and first-hand perspective of the impact of the law and the legal system and focus on appropriate law reform campaigns and community development strategies. They will be divided into small teams and supervised on a day-to-day basis by a specialist member of the legal centre staff and assessed by a Monash Law academic located at the centre.

Objectives

Students who successfully complete this unit will:

• understand the impact of the law and the legal system on members of the community as individuals and as groups (particularly those who are disadvantaged) within a social, economic and political context
• understand and have developed the skills necessary to advocate for social justice in a socio-legal context
• understand the legal needs of relevant communities and be aware of the processes for responding to these needs through collaboration with NGO and government service providers
• be able to integrate their knowledge of particular areas of law with perceived community and client group disadvantage.
• understand the links between inadequate law and administration of the legal system with actual injustice
• be able to utilize affective advocacy directed at law reform.

Assessment

2 research activities at 2,400 words each, (for example, a submission to government on a specific aspects of law reform; a set of community explanatory statements concerning projected changes to local environmental regulation; a brief to media on the regional effects of gaming policy and regulation) 50% each OR 1 research activity of 2,400 words 50% plus 1 practical activity 50% (for example, consult with a specific community on the design of a local legal framework to limit recidivism in the incidence of so-called hoon driving behaviour in that community and publish a brief report of that consultation ; consult on and develop a legal framework for a strategic local initiative to divert persons charged with combined mental health / drug-related offences into NGO-sponsored rehabilitation programs) OR 1 individual research activity of 2,400 words 50% plus 1 joint research activity involving 2 or more students, minimum of 2,400 words 50%.

Contact hours

Students will attend a seminar program for 8 weeks involving 2 hours contact per week plus regular tutorials of 2 hours per week. Students will also be required to allocate 8 hours per week over 12 weeks for client-group consultations, private research, preparation of materials and community presentations, with assessment being finalised over the remaining 5 weeks of a 17 week period.

Prerequisites

LAW1100 OR LAW1101 and LAW1102 or LAW1104