Law and Human Nature (LAWS90245)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Teaching staff:
Inbar Levy (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Our subject provides an interdisciplinary framework to discuss various aspects of the intersection between law, human behaviour and justice.
The first part of the subject will be dedicated to developing a basic familiarity with the relevant principles of psychology and law and discuss the ways in which they interrelate.
In the second part of the subject we will discuss different real life examples, involving judicial decision making, witness reliability, negotiations and more, in which the study of psychological concepts in the legal world plays out.
The principal topics we will explore include:
- Justice;
- Legal Reasoning and Interpretation;
- Behavioural Law and Economics;
- Cognitive Heuristics and Biases;
- Nudges and Choice Architecture;
- Judicial Decision Making;
- The Psychology of Litigation;
- Negotiation;
- Human Motivation;
- Emotion and Mindfulness in a Legal Context; and
- Human Intelligence v Artificial Intelligence.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject should have an advanced understanding of the law and psychology, as well as be able to critically analyse, engage with, and evaluate to a high standard the forms of representation, bodies of knowledge and practices that compose this specialised area of legal study. This specifically includes an expert understanding, analysis and evaluation of:
- Psychological concepts that are relevant to the legal profession
- Empirical research on biases in legal decision making
- The application of scientific, behavioural and legal reasoning to pressing ethical and legal questions
- Contemporary legal issues in light of normative concepts and behavioural studies
Generic skills
- Advanced cognitive skills to solve problems by practical application of often complex legal principles;
- High-level cognitive and technical skills to interpret, analyse and draft empirical legal studies;
- A strong conceptual understanding of the differences between legal and behavioural reasoning;
- Cognitive and technical skills to establish mastery in using interdisciplinary legal materials;
- Creative and technical skills to understand and critically reflect upon diverse approaches to law and psychology; And
- Independent communication and technical research skills as demonstrated in scholarly writing to a publishable level.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50023 | Legal Method and Reasoning | Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS90140 | Disputes and Ethics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50031 | Legal Theory |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
November (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS90210 | Law and Psychology | August (Online) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance (including all live online sessions, if any). | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
| Assessment due dates will be published on the LMS. | 100% |
Additional details
The due dates of assessment will be made available to students on the Assessment Schedule on the Juris Doctor Canvas LMS Community. Note, these are updated regularly.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Inbar Levy Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
Teaching staff:
Inbar Levy (Subject Coordinator)For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
This subject has an enrolment quota. Please refer to the Juris Doctor enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment and subject quotas. Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for inbound study abroad and exchange students.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 4 March 2025