Program Overview

Law and Society Major

Overview

The Law and Society major explores the impact of legal and social policy on all areas of our lives. It examines the relationship between law and society, both nationally and globally, and how they change each other. Students develop skills in understanding, applying, and critiquing socio-legal concepts and issues.

Course Details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus), Albany (Regional campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Weekly contact time: 12-15 contact hours, plus at least twice as much of your own study time
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Course Code: MJD-LWSOC
• Full time/part time duration: 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])

Career Pathways

Graduates pursue varied careers in the private, non-profit, and public sectors, including law-related policy and research roles. They may work in law reform and justice agencies, the civil and criminal justice systems, government, education and academia, and law-relevant fields like management and human resources, media and communications, industrial relations, human rights, social services, and legal support.

Further Study

Students with a Law and Society major may pursue further studies by undertaking Law and Society Honours, a Master of Laws, a Master of Public Policy, a Master of International Law, or another postgraduate course. Alternatively, you may choose to study law as a professional qualification (to pursue a legal career) by applying for entry to the Juris Doctor.

Admission Requirements

• Minimum entry requirements: Refer to the UWA Handbook for course-specific requirements and prerequisites.
• English competency: Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Fees and Scholarships

• Domestic Student Fees: For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. Fees are subject to annual indexation.
• International Student Fees: Annual course fee (2025): $48,300.00. Fees are subject to annual indexation.
• Scholarships: Available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership, and community service.

Course Structure

• Level 1: Core units: LAWS1110 Crime and Society, LAWS1111 Law in Context.
• Level 2: Core unit: LAWS2227 Law in Action. Option units: LAWS2220 Birth, Life and Death: Health and Medical Law, LAWS2223 Criminal Justice Systems, LAWS2224 Human Rights: Law and Context, LAWS2225 Indigenous Peoples and the Law, LAWS2226 International Legal Institutions.
• Level 3: Core unit: LAWS3316 Law, Advocacy, Activism and Change. Option units: LAWS3214 International Law and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), LAWS3221 Creative Expression and the Law, LAWS3317 Social Media and the Law, LAWS3330 Gender and the Law, LAWS3334 Law and Religion, LAWS3344 Law and Contemporary Social Issues, LAWS3374 Crime, Justice and Public Policy, LAWS3384 Music and the Law.

Get Hands-on Learning

• Role plays: Tenancy agreements, government consultation on the rights of older persons and potential for a new UN treaty, negotiating conflict situations in emerging countries and the role of the UN Security Council, mock Law Reform Commission Inquiry.
• Students draft social media policy for a business or be involved in creation and promulgation of an online petition.
• Honours students undertake applied research projects in partnership with Community Legal Centres such as Law Access and the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA.

Take a Second Major

Employers seek graduates with a breadth of knowledge from multiple complementary areas. Consider taking a second major to increase your skills and experience. Law and Society pairs well with majors like Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations.

Skills Developed

• Interpersonal skills: Develop empathy and reasoning skills by discovering the social aspects of law and how it operates within the real world.
• Analytical skills: Synthesise information quickly and accurately by looking at data and case studies, and drawing logical conclusions.
• Teamwork skills: Learn how to resolve differences of opinion and collaborate in diverse groups.
• Communication skills: Work on persuasion, negotiation, assertiveness, and tact; share information and propose ideas; learn to write for and speak to a range of audiences.

Your Degree Options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Philosophy. It is also offered as a second major in other bachelor's degrees.