LAWS13-115: Contemporary Issues in Law and Society

Description

Contemporary Issues in Law and Society is an undergraduate elective subject offered by the Faculty of Law. This subject is not a technical law subject, instead it explores some of the social and contemporary challenges facing today’s lawmakers. Students are asked to critically consider and evaluate the different moral, legal and ethical perspectives of the issues presented through cross-disciplinary debate to solve contemporary problems.  Topics include: the role of law as a social system; the impact of science in an era of human cloning and designer babies; freedom of expression and media regulation; public shaming and private morality on the internet; artificial intelligence, robots and driverless cars; different global approaches to  sanctions and punishment; the effect of globalisation on cultural identity; and gender issues. How do morality, law, politics, science and economics intersect and interact when we try to solve problems or secure progress in society? The plan of topics may be varied if new controversial issues emerge during the course of the semester.

Subject details

Learning outcomes

1. Define their own set of ethical and moral principles through research, analytical thinking and reasoning which they can then carry forward to apply to any future life situation.
2. Obtain a body of knowledge about and critical insight into many of the most topical issues of our time. This will enable them to contribute reasoned perspectives to the major debates on these issues positively and with confidence.
3. Present material coherently and fluently and to debate the merits of problems with their peers.
4. Present reasoned and researched arguments in logical, structured written form.

Enrolment requirements

Subject outlines

• September 2021 [Standard]
• May 2021 [Standard]
• January 2021 [Standard]
• September 2020 [Standard]
• May 2020 [Standard]
• January 2020 [Standard]
• September 2019 [Standard]
• May 2019 [Standard]
• January 2019 [Standard]
• September 2018 [Standard]
• May 2018 [Standard]
• January 2018 [Standard]
• September 2017 [Standard]
• May 2017 [Standard]

Subject dates