| Unit name | Family Law 2: Child Law |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWD30131 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Wade |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
LAWD20047 Family Law 1: Adult Relationships |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
LAWD20047 Family Law 1: Adult Relationships |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This unit offers students a critical insight into the law relating to children in England and Wales. The unit will immerse students in all aspects of child law in this jurisdiction – asking what role the law can play in resolving private child-focused disputes; reflecting upon when (and how) the State should intervene to protect vulnerable young people, and placing English law in the context of established (and emerging) international laws and standards. The unit encourages students to engage in a complex and nuanced analysis of existing child law frameworks – exploring what the current rules require and questioning whether there are areas where Parliament should consider future reform. At the end of their studies, students will be able to apply accurately, and to debate critically, existing public and private law rules.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Building upon their knowledge and skills developed in Family Law 1: Adult Relationships, this unit allows students to engage with the rights, status and experiences of students within the legal system of England and Wales. Students who take this unit will sharpen their research and analytical skills, developed in the earlier years of their degree, and they will have the opportunity to discuss key legal concepts (e.g. certainty, paternalism, autonomy, etc.) in the specific context of childhood and adolescence. Students who have enjoyed engaging with the social and political aspects of the law throughout their legal studies may find Family Law 2: Child Law particularly interesting.
An Overview of Content:
Students who select this unit will study: (i) how the law defines parents and the concept of parental responsibility; (ii) children’s rights and the notion of the ‘autonomous’ child; (iii) child welfare and debates surrounding adult paternalism; (iv) child arrangements orders and decisions regarding where/with whom a child should live; (v) voluntary care proceedings; (vi) involuntary care proceedings; and (vii) the law relating to adoption. The unit will appeal to all students who have an interest in family law, and the intersections of law, childhood and society.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
This unit will offer students an insight into the law regulating children in England and Wales. As a result of studying this unit, not only will students have the skills and knowledge to critique the intersections of law and childhood, but they will have a deeper understanding of how law is used to shape, define and sanction different modes and concepts of family in this jurisdiction. At the end of the unit, students will be better placed to apply and analyse existing child law rules and policies in their future studies and careers.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit, a successful student will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a variety of asynchronous and synchronous activities. The specific activities are designed to sharpen and develop all the key skills and knowledge points (e.g. applying statutes, discussing law reform, considering the wider social impact of child law, etc.) that students need to succeed on the Family Law 2: Child Law unit.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will undertake a series of assessment activities (1 x formative assignment of 1500 words, consisting of an essay (750 words) and a Problem Question (750 words)), which mirror the summative Timed Assessment, and which will provide you with the opportunity to obtain personal and general feedback on your understanding and application of child law. The formative is a key element in advancing both your knowledge of the law and the skills necessary to implement and analyse core principles of child law in England and Wales.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
1 x Timed Assessment with a specified word count (100%). This will assess all of the intended learning outcomes for this unit.
When the assessment does not go to plan?
The reassessment will take the same format as the original summative assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. LAWD30131).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
