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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Family, Law & Society
Module Code LG231 (ITS) / LAW1018 (Banner)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School Law & Government
Module Co-ordinatorAdam Mcauley
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
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
Lecture242 hour lecture where student contribution is expected
Assignment Completion32Essay on an area of family law
Online activity10Students prepare materials for discussion during lecture
Independent Study59Reading, 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 Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentEssay50%
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None

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