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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Family, Law and Society
Module Code LG231
School School of Law & Government
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Adam McAuley
Semester 2: Adam McAuley
Autumn: Adam McAuley
Module TeachersAdam McAuley
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
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%
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None
    Programme or List of Programmes
    AFUAge Friendly University Programme
    BCLBachelor of Civil Law (Law & Society)
    Date of Last Revision16-MAY-12
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