Relationships, families and the law

This module 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 module deals primarily with the law of England and Wales.

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 module is innovative in the way in which these issues are presented. Rather than being based around particular legal rules or concepts, the module 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 module 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 module will be a comprehensive introduction to this fascinating area.

Entry

This is an OU level 2 module and you will need the study skills required for this level of study, which may have been obtained either from OU level 2 study or from another university.

While this module 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 have studied both an introductory OU law module (if you are a non-graduate) and Understanding law (W200) (now discontinued) before starting this OU level 2 module.

Please note that prior studying an introductory law module alone is insufficient preparation for this OU level 2 module.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Outside the UK

Please note that this module is only concerned with the law of England and Wales.

Qualifications

If you are studying towards your LLB degree it is recommended you take this module as part of the free-choice element.

It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.

If you have a disability

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.

Part of this module 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 contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.

Study materials

What's included

Two module 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 module website that offers forums, resources for learning, news items and access, via the OU library, to legal databases for research purposes.
The study materials are updated annually, but it may be necessary to update during your study of the module if there is a major (and unexpected) change to the law.

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.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module 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 use this module as part of the free choice for the LLB, and you hope to enter the Legal Professions, you should read carefully the careers information on The Open University Law School website. 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 information on the website as it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet these requirements.

Future availability

The details given here are for the module that starts in October 2016, when we expect it to be available for the final time.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.