About Socio-Legal Studies

Socio-Legal Studies is a major in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne. Based in the Department of Criminology, it offers students the chance to study law in its societal, political, and cultural context. Students critically and constructively analyse the role of law in Australian and other societies.

Socio-Legal Studies provides the skills to assess, evaluate and engage with law reform and contemporary societal debates.

Issues examined in first year include the role of law in a multicultural society, the relationship between Aboriginal customary law and Anglo-Australian law, the role of language in law, and the role of law in reconciliation.

In second year students look at law and social change, and rights and the law. Third year looks at law and social theory, discussing ways of approaching contemporary social/legal issues. A fourth year Honours course includes hands-on experience at a community legal or government agency through the internship program.

Highlights of the program include second year students in Law, Justice and Social Change making contact with members of community legal and governmental organizations dealing with law reform, such as:

• The Victorian Law Reform Commission
• Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria
• Department of Justice Victoria
• Youth Affairs Council of Victoria
• Mental Health Legal Centre
• Job Watch
• Youth Law

The Socio-Legal Studies program has a close relationship with other Departments in the Faculty of Arts. Students undertaking a program of Socio-Legal Studies do this in conjunction with other relevant subjects in the Faculty.