LAW4544 · Challenging government: Law reform and public advocacy

Overview

This unit examines the law, policy and practice of law reform and public advocacy. How are laws and government policies really developed? What can citizens do if they want laws and government policies to change? And how does the law both enable and limit the ability of citizens to advocate for legal and policy change? This unit examines institutions, mechanisms and limitations of law reform and public advocacy. Issues are looked at from the perspectives of both lawmakers and citizen advocates. Topics may include the role of politicians, parliamentary committees, and law reform commissions; the place of petitions, protests and strategic litigation in the law reform and policy change process; and the various laws that operate to regulate public advocacy and citizen participation in lawmaking and policy development. The unit will be especially relevant for students interested in legal and non-legal careers in the public sector, politics, and the NGO sector.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of the institutions and processes of law reform and public advocacy.
2. Analyse and evaluate the mechanisms and legal principles behind processes of law reform and public advocacy in a range of real-world examples.
3. Conduct research, evaluate and synthesise complex information in order to respond to complex issues relating to law reform and public advocacy.
4. Communicate effectively, appropriately and persuasively in various forms.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.