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Multiculturalism Religion and the Law (LAWS50132)
Graduate coursework level 5Points: 12.5Not available in 2024
Overview
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Across jurisdictions, debates on the appropriate legal response to the demands of culture and religion are growing in importance. These debates are set against the background of contemporary controversies around cultural drug use, religious dress (e.g. the burka), claims for special language rights, religious animal slaughter, religious arbitration or mediation and the rights of indigenous peoples. This course will explore these debates through the following questions, among others:
- Is the legal protection of religious freedom justified? What should the scope of such protection be?
- What demands does multiculturalism make on the law? Is multiculturalism bad for women? How should the law respond to multiculturalism?
- How should the law respond to demands for exemptions from general laws for cultural or religious reasons?
- How should the law respond to demands for the accommodation of religious and cultural norms within state legal systems?
- How should the law respond to religious or cultural practices that have a far-reaching impact on children?
We will explore further controversies (e.g. the legal recognition of polygamy and polyamory) and different jurisdictions (e.g. the personal law system in India) of interest to students in the final seminars.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Have an advanced and critical understanding of prominent theoretical approaches to multiculturalism and religious freedom, and an integrated understanding of the similarities and differences between these approaches. This understanding will be developed through individual close reading and class discussion of key texts;
- Have an advanced and critical understanding of key contemporary debates on appropriate legal responses to the demands of culture and religion;
- Be able to deploy critical, analytical and evaluative skills in thinking independently about debates on the appropriate legal response to the demands of culture and religion; and
- Be able to independently develop, and express in written form, arguments that draw on the key theoretical texts to respond to practical questions on the appropriate legal response to the demands of culture and religion.
Generic skills
A student who has successfully completed the subject will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key questions, topics and issues explored in the course;
- Critically evaluate and comment on theoretical texts, cases and other legal materials;
- Develop and communicate reflective and reasoned arguments about questions and issues on the subject, contributing effectively to the debates discussed during the course;
- Respond to particular practical problems by drawing on theoretical texts and materials;
- Express, in written form, reflections and arguments which engage with theoretical literature, as well as case studies and legal materials;
- Understand the significance of moral reasoning in debates on the appropriate legal response to practical problems with a moral dimension; and
- Engage in sophisticated moral reasoning in order to develop a position on the appropriate legal response to practical problems with a moral dimension.
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50023 | Legal Method and Reasoning | Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50024 | Principles of Public Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50026 | Obligations | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50027 | Dispute Resolution | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50031 | Legal Theory |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
November (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 30 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Class participation (class discussions, small group discussions and class exercises) | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Response paper on a topic in the subject
| 20% | |
Open-book exam (2 hours plus reading time)
| 70% |
Additional details
The due date of the above assessment will be available to students via the Assessment Schedule on the LMS Community
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2024
Time commitment details
144 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota.
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
- Cases, books, journal articles and other materials, which will be available via the resources (including the online resources) of the Law Library.
- Specialist printed materials will also be made available from the Melbourne Law School.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Juris Doctor - Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 30 January 2024