ASS235 - Cultures of Law and Disorder
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Tanya King |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour on-campus lecture per week 1 x 1-hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online lecture per week (recordings provided) 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the trimester undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
Cultures of Law and Disorder introduces students to the range of ways that humans regulate, shape and police what happens in their societies. The unit begins by examining the foundations of Western legal systems (e.g. Australian, European), and expands to consider alternative approaches to social order. It incorporates considerations of customary law, legal pluralism and arguments for universal rights. The unit also considers the contextual factors that impact how laws are enacted, including historical, political and economic factors, and considerations of power. Graduates of this unit will be able to recognise and critique the range of contextualising factors that influence the development, recognition and execution of various laws, both formal and informal. Case studies will be drawn from Australian and international examples.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Recount and reflect on the development of anthropology of law, particularly in its broader historical context | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Explain and critically analyse non-normative (including legally pluralistic) systems of law that govern people around the world | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Critique normative legal principles and outcomes from around the world using anthropological analyses and insights | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO4 | Propose alternative interpretations of conflict scenarios using emic interpretations of 'law' | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO8: Global citizenship |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Class/Online Exercises | 500 words or equivalent | 12.5% | Week 2 to Week 10 |
| Assessment 2: Online Quizzes | 500 words or equivalent | 12.5% | Week 4 |
| Assessment 3: Essay | 2000 words or equivalent | 50% | Week 4 |
| Assessment 4: Journal | 1000 words or equivalent | 25% | Week 10 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ASS235 can be found on the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant study period reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.