Relationships, families and the law
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This course examines the role of law in the context of modern relationships and family life. This includes issues such as living together, marriage, divorce and the law relating to children, and related issues of tax, family property and inheritance. You will consider the law relating to unmarried and married couples, same sex relationships and extended families (including older relatives) through a series of case studies based on real-life situations. The course deals primarily with the law of England and Wales.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Law.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | W224 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
Relationships and families are influenced by law in a variety of ways that are academically interesting as well as practically important. If this is relevant to your working life or you just want to know more about how law works in this context, then Relationships, families and the law is an ideal choice.
This course is innovative in the way in which these issues are presented. Rather than being based around particular legal rules or concepts, the course will follow a series of ‘stories’. These will trace significant life events for several individuals as, for example, they live together, have children, separate, form new households and experience other changes. This makes the course both practical and realistic, and allows a variety of legal issues to be explored in the context of complex personal and family relationships.
You will see how law impacts on modern relationships and the ways in which you and your friends or family might be affected by it. Whether you intend to work in law or in other fields such as social work, health care or family finance, this course will be a comprehensive introduction to this fascinating area.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course and you will need the study skills required for this level of study, which may have been obtained either from Level 2 study with the OU or from another university.
While this course can be studied on a stand-alone basis it assumes that you already have knowledge and understanding of the English legal system. We strongly advise you to study both Rules, rights and justice: an introduction to law (W100) (if you are a non-graduate) and Understanding law (W200) before starting this Level 2 course.
Please note that prior study of W100 alone is insufficient preparation for this Level 2 course.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Outside the UK
Please note that this course is only concerned with the law of England and Wales.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Written transcripts of any audio components and PDF versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and diagrammatic, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
Part of this course is delivered online through a website and includes the use of online tutorials and legal database resources. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet and have concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Two course manuals and supplementary study material. Access to a website that offers resources and news about developments in family law. You will also have access to a course website that offers forums, resources for learning, news items and access, via the OU library, to legal databases for research purposes.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
You will need a headset, with a microphone and earphones, to talk to your tutor and other students online during some of the course activities.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor with whom you can communicate by email, telephone or post, who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Your tutor will also run online tutorials that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to take part in.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and end-of-module assessment (EMA) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment or EMA on paper.
Professional recognition
If you are intending to count this towards the free-choice element of the LLB, and you hope to enter the Legal Professions, you should read carefully our Recognition leaflet 3.13 Law. There are different entry regulations into the legal professions in England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. You should read the Recognition leaflet as it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet these requirements.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2012. We expect it to be available once a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Law.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | W224 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
W224 was a fantastic 30-point course, the 'best' OU course so far and I would highly recommend it to anyone ...
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This module brings together some really interesting legal topics which are relevant to normal people during the course of their ...
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Your questions
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Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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