Language and the Law

About this subject

• What you'll learn

  Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate introductory understanding of how language and linguistics are relevant to and can affect the legal process;
  2. analyse and interpret various kinds of linguistic evidence to assess the validity of arguments for and against, with the ability to transmit this understanding to others;
  3. identify possible sources of sociolinguistic disadvantage, and effectively interpret and communicate this knowledge in the context of the legal process; and
  4. use judgement to independently apply linguistic concepts and knowledge within a range of legal communication contexts.

• Topics covered

• Description

• Assessments

• Textbooks

• About University of New England

Entry requirements

Part of a degree

To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:

Elective

• UNE-CRM-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Criminology
• UNE-LGS-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Legal Studies
• UNE-PLS-DIP-2025 - Diploma in Paralegal Studies

Others

Candidature in Bachelor of Criminology

Additional requirements

• Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or media presentations).
• Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units, regardless of whether they contain an on campus attendance or intensive school component. For additional information please visit UNE Hardware Requirements: https://www.une.edu.au/current-students/support/it-services/hardware
• Other requirements -

  Textbook requirements:
  Textbook information is not available until approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the Teaching period.
  Students are expected to purchase prescribed material.
  Textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Study load

0.125 EFTSL

This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.

Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.

Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.