Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Family, Law and Society
Module Code	LG231
School	School of Law & Government
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Michael Doherty Semester 2: Michael Doherty Autumn: Michael Doherty
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This module has two aims: to equip students with the law regulating familial and inter-personal relationships and challenge students to critically assess the role of this law in Irish society. Students will learn to:- identify the sources & principles of family law; understand the extent to which this family law regulates familial and inter-personal relationships; and apply family law to hypothetical and actual case studies. Students are expected to attend lectures and to engage in online learning activities.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define the concept of the family and identify different sources of family law
2. Evaluate the State's interest in the legal regulation of interpersonal relationships
3. Apply family law to hypothetical and real scenarios
4. Determine what reforms are necessary and feasible for Irish family law
5. Appreciate how this module relates to other modules such as the Foundations of Constitutional Law
6. Research and write an essay on a family law topic which addresses the role of family law

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	2 hour lecture where student contribution is expected
Assignment	32	Essay on an area of family law
On-line learning	10	Students prepare materials for discussion during lecture
Independent learning time	59	Reading, research, exam and assignment preparation
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Adult relationships.
Legal regulation of familial relationships of adults: Marriage, same sex unions and cohabitation.

Marriage.
Marriage: Nullity, Separation Agreements, Judicial Separation and Divorce.

Non-marital relationships.
Civil Partnership and Cohabitation.

Child relationships.
Legal regulation of familial relationship between child and his or her “parents”: Marital child, non-marital child, adopted child, child born through donated gamete(s) or embryo and step-child.

Guardianship and Custody.
Legal regulation of guardianship, adoption, custody, access and abduction.

Support.
Maintenance of dependant child, spouse, cohabitee or partner.

Protection.
Domestic Violence.

International and Comparative.
International, Comparative and European Union family law.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	50%	Examination Weight	50%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	Essay	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BCL

BCL (Law and Society)

BCLYA

BCL (Law and Society)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

ECSAO