Course overview
This course will examine theories, practices and processes for achieving reform of the law. The course will operate in conjunction with the South Australian Law Reform Institute and students will participate in the references being undertaken or potentially undertaken by the Institute. The topics to be covered in the course include: history and theories of law reform; the institutions through which the law is reformed; the roles of the community, the executive, the Parliament, the bureaucracy, law reform bodies commissions and courts in progressing law reform; the roles of the traditional media and new media; the impact of technology; the role and function of the South Australian Law Reform Institute; legal policy analysis for law reform; Aboriginal perspectives of law reform; modern law reform consultation.
Course learning outcomes
- Explain the historical and modern contexts of law reform including the political, constitutional, executive, legislative, community, Aboriginal and media aspects and implications to modern law reform:
- Develop and apply effective, inclusive and respectful engagement and consultation in modern law reform with particular emphasis on Aboriginal communities.
- Identify and explore the challenges of law reform and how such challenges can be addressed including issues of criminal, civil and social justice and the impact of technology
- Undertake high level research and critical analysis of an assigned area of the law within its comparative and practical, technological, policy and legal dimensions and make reasoned findings and conclusions
- Present an argument, both in writing and orally, into a specific difficult legal problem by demonstrating research skills, analysis, understanding of the legal area, the policy and practical implications and skills in effective oral and written communication to a broad audience
- Explain the vital Indigenous context to modern Australian and comparative law reform.
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