SUBJECT OVERVIEW
LAW 1024
Law and Society
AUGUST 2022
Centre for Commercial Law and Justice
LAW 1024 Subject Overview
SUBJECT OVERVIEW
LAW 1024 Law and Society
Course
Psychology
Subject Code and Title
: BSc. (Hons)
Semester
: August 2022
Contact Hours
: Lectures – 2 hours
Workshop – 1 hour
Tutorial – 1 hour
Lecturer
: Dr Paul Linus Andrews
(paullinus@sunway.edu.my)
Tutor
: Ms Kanchana Chandran (AE-7-1)
(kanchanac@sunway.edu.my)
: LAW 1024 Law and Society
Consultation Hours
: Please email for an appointment
____________________________________________________________
SUBJECT DESCRIPTION
There is no human conduct or behaviour that does not have a corresponding
legal principle, concept or argument entwined in it. We live in a society that has
a legal system in operation and we often take the law and its existence for
granted. Hence for some the law represents what the police or the courts do. For
others it represents the written laws in a country. Alternatively, law could be
viewed as the set of rules that regulate and govern human behaviour as
established by those who have legitimate authority to do so. The relationship
between law and society is one that is fascinating as it is rooted in philosophical
arguments that continue to challenge the boundaries of societal growth even
today. This module explores that historical context and then considers its
application in current contexts.
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LAW 1024 Subject Overview
SUBJECT OBJECTIVES
This course prepares students to appreciate the importance of:
 the historical and philosophical contexts of law
 the various jurisprudential theories of the law
 the application of critical anlaysis in the understanding of the law and its
impact on society
SUBJECT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLO)
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:



SLO1 : Explain the relevant legal and socio-legal theories and framework.
SLO 2 : Apply the relevant information from statutory provisions, case
reports, journal and other relevant legal materials in legal
problems.
SLO 3 : Present legal solutions based on socio-legal theories and
frameworks effectively.
PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLO)
After completing the programme, students will be able to:











PLO1 Integrate knowledge and understanding on fundamental principles
in psychology.
PLO2 Apply critical and creative thinking through the scientific approach
to solve problems related to mind, brain and behaviour.
PLO3 Apply basic research methods in psychology and psychological
skills to address sustainability issues in the community.
PLO4 Demonstrate interpersonal/ social skills when interacting with
others.
PLO5 Communicate effectively and convey psychological information,
ideas, problems and solution to experts and non-experts.
PLO6 Use a range of digital applications to support work or study.
PLO7 Analyse, interpret and synthesize numerical data for psychology
studies.
PLO8 Ability to work independently, build relationships and work with
teams to make decisions, take responsibilities and accountability.
PLO9 Pursue life-long learning in psychology-related fields.
PLO10 Demonstrate managerial and entrepreneurial skills when
addressing community issues.
PLO11 Adhere to ethical and professional conduct in the community.
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Centre for Commercial Law and Justice
LAW 1024 Subject Overview
MAPPING OF SLO AND PLO
Subject
Learning
Outcome
(SLO)
(SLO1)
(SLO2)
(SLO3)
PLO1
PLO2
PLO3
PLO4
PLO5
PLO6
PLO7
PLO8
PLO9
PLO10
√
√
√
PROGRAMME EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES (PEO):
The programme aims are to produce:
PEO 1: Psychology graduates who apply evidence-based psychological
knowledge, research and skills to address global challenges.
PEO 2: Psychology graduates who contribute to the community ethically and
professionally.
PEO 3: Psychology graduates who lead and work collaboratively to communicate
and solve problems scientifically to address sustainability issues.
PEO 4: Psychology graduates who work towards sustainability through project
management and continuous development.
MAPPING OF SLO AND PEO
Subject Learning Outcomes
(SLO)
Programme Educational
Objectives (PEO)
PEO 1
(SLO1)
PEO 3
PEO 4
√
√
(SLO2)
(SLO3)
PEO 2
√
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PLO11
Centre for Commercial Law and Justice
LAW 1024 Subject Overview
DELIVERY METHODS
(1) Lectures
The substantive aspects of legal concepts and theories presented using
pre-recorded lectures uploaded on YouTube.
(2) Tutorials/Workshops
These provide an opportunity to review the subject matter and to develop
the requisite skills to apply the subject matter in practical problem-solving
exercises. This is to be delivered live, face to face.
ASSESSMENT
Students are assessed in three parts, mainly the final examination which is held
at the end of the semester, and group coursework which consists of a written
assignment.
Examination
Term Test
Assignment
Total
50%
10%
40%_
100%
Examination (50%)
The paper is a 2-hour paper containing FOUR (4) questions. Candidates are
required to answer ANY TWO (2) questions with each question allocated 25
marks. This is to be administered as a physical, face to face examination.
Candidates are permitted to bring in notes prepared on a single A4 sized
sheet of paper.
End of Term Test (10%)
The paper will contain 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). All 10 questions
are compulsory and MUST be attempted. You must complete the test within the
30 minutes allowed. This is to be administered online on Blackboard.
END-TERM TEST: TUES 15TH NOV 2022 accessible between 8.00AM –
10.00AM.
Group Assignment (40%)
A 3,500-word essay that seeks to assess the students’ ability to research, collect
data and decipher primary and secondary materials, and to analyse and
critically evaluate issues in the areas of law and society, and to communicate
such arguments in writing.
SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENT: FRI 7TH OCT 2022 AT 5PM
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LAW 1024 Subject Overview
SUBJECT OUTLINE
Topics
1.
Introduction to Law
Definition of law
Major Legal Systems and the Malaysian Legal System
2.
Functions of Law in Society
Social Control, Dispute Settlement or Conflict Resolution and
Social Change
3.
Natural Law
Natural law theories
4.
Legal Positivism
Austin’s Command Theory
H.L.A. Hart’s Concept of Law
5.
Law and Morality
Hart-Devlin debate
6.
Law and Social Change
Law as an Instrument of Change
7.
Law, and Religion
Law and religion
8.
Law, Gender and Sexuality
Current issues in Malaysia: Law, gender and sexuality
9.
Feminist Perspectives
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Centre for Commercial Law and Justice
LAW 1024 Subject Overview
MAIN REFERENCE
Vago, S. (2022). Law and society. Routledge or Vago, S. (2018). Law and
society. Routledge.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
Harding, A., & Shah, D. A. (Eds.). (2018). Law and Society in Malaysia: Pluralism,
Religion and Ethnicity. Routledge.
Urscheler, L. H., & Donlan, S. P. (2017). Concepts of Law: Comparative,
Jurisprudential, and Social Science Perspectives. Routledge.
Schiff, D., & Nobles, R. (Eds.). (2016). Law, Society and Community: Sociolegal Essays in Honour of Roger Cotterrell. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
LIST OF SUGGESTED READINGS:
Andrews, P.L. (2022). Chapter 1: Introduction to Law. In A. Trakic, P.L.
Andrews, N. Ramasamy, C.Y. Sum, S.B. Murugan, V. Pullikutthyayanar, K.
Chandran (Authors), Law for business. Malaysia: Sweet and Maxwell.
Andrews, P.L. (2022). Chapter 2: The Malaysian Legal System. In A. Trakic,
P.L. Andrews, N. Ramasamy, C.Y. Sum, S.B. Murugan, V. Pullikutthyayanar, K.
Chandran (Authors), Law for business. Malaysia: Sweet and Maxwell.
Banakar, R. (2009). Law Through Sociology’s Looking Glass : Conflict and
Competition in Sociological Studies of Law. In A. Denis & Devorah KalekinFishman (Eds.), The ISA Handbook in Contemporary Sociology (pp. 58–73).
Sage.
Chua, Shing, L. J. K. (2003). Saying No: Sections 377 and 377A of the Penal
Code. Singapore Journal of Legal Studies, 209–261.
Dworkin, R. (1968). On Not Prosecuting Civil Disobedience. The New York
Review of Books, 1–18. Retrieved from
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/1968/jun/06/on-not-prosecuting-civildisobedience/
Dyevre, A. (2014). Law and the evolutionary turn: The relevance of evolutionary
psychology for legal positivism. Ratio Juris, 27(3), 364–386.
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LAW 1024 Subject Overview
Gomez, L. E. (2008). A Tale of Two Genres: On the Real and Ideal Links
Between Law and Society and Critical Race Theory. The Blackwell Companion
to Law and Society, 453–470.
Harding, A. (2012). The constitution of Malaysia: a contextual analysis.
Bloomsbury Publishing.
Kananatu, T. (2016). Chapter 9: A Sociolegal Study of the Indian Minority in
Malaysia. In D. Jayasooria & K. S. Nathan (Eds.), Contemporary Malaysian
Indians: History, Issues, Challenges and Prospects. Bangi: Institute of Ethnic
Studies (KITA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
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