LAWS20008 Law, Culture, Justice
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- No final exam: all coursework
- About 3 class hours a week
Is LAWS20008 hard?
LAWS20008: About average. Makes it easier: No final exam. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it’s hard (5 reviews). The easier and harder points roughly balance out.
What you learn
How law shows up in culture, from judgments and courtrooms to novels, images, podcasts and Indigenous storytelling.
After it you can
- Explain how law is expressed through art, media and institutions
- Read judgments and laws for how they build authority
- Argue about law's cultural meaning in talks and essays
What you need first
None
How it’s assessed
Participation 15%, Assignments 30%, Reports and essays 55%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 5 students on StudentVIP (2018–2023)
- Several reviewers found it dry; it reads more like literature or art history than a typical law subject.
- It is described as complex: less content to learn, more interpreting and forming your own critical view.
- Those who liked it praised the teaching and the freedom to pick the final essay topic; joining class discussion helps.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate LAWS20008
Quick answers
- When is LAWS20008 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking LAWS20008?
- No prerequisites.
- Does LAWS20008 have a final exam?
- No, there is no final exam. Assessment: Participation 15%, Assignments 30%, Reports and essays 55%.
- Is LAWS20008 hard?
- From 5 student reviews on StudentVIP: Several reviewers found it dry; it reads more like literature or art history than a typical law subject.
- What do students say about LAWS20008?
- Several reviewers found it dry; it reads more like literature or art history than a typical law subject. It is described as complex: less content to learn, more interpreting and forming your own critical view. Those who liked it praised the teaching and the freedom to pick the final essay topic; joining class discussion helps.
- How many class hours a week does LAWS20008 have?
- 3 h a week in class
- Can I take LAWS20008 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Science.
- Can I rate LAWS20008?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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