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LAW452: Family Law
This unit covers the study of legal regulation of family relations. Although a great number of laws have a bearing on family relations, this unit focuses on the 'Marriage Act 1961' (Cth), the 'Family Law Act 1975' (Cth), and the 'Property Relationships Act 1984' (NSW). The usual rationale for the existence of family law is said to be that it is a dispute resolution mechanism. This unit is structured to test the validity of this belief and explore whether the role of family law is to maintain certain social structures. The question of whether the state should be able to rely on law to create or maintain a particular kind of desirable society is related to the wider issue of the freedom and autonomy of individuals vis-à-vis the state. The study of family law enables an analysis of the interrelationship between the state, law and society. This unit is divided into five main parts: the concept of family and its historical development; the concept of marriage as a heterosexual union; dissolution of marriage; financial relationships in marriage and defacto relations, especially on their dissolution; children and their rights under family law. The aim is to enable students to gain conceptual knowledge, which can be applied to analyse any area of law. Understanding the interdependence of law with other social institutions is also an integral part of the study of law.
| Credit Points: | 3 |
| Contact Hours: | 3 |
| When Offered: | D2 - Day; Offered in the second half-year X2 - External study; Offered in the second half-year (Session Dates: 19-20 September) |
| Staff Contact(s): | Ms Francesca Dominello |
| Prerequisites: |
[6cp in LAW units at 300 level(P)] or [30cp and 6cp in GEN or WST units] |
| Corequisites: | |
| NCCW(s): | LAW402 |
| Unit Designation(s): | |
| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: | Macquarie Law School |
Timetable Information
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