PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN FAMILY LAW AND SOCIETY
On Demand
- Fully online & Pre Recorded
The course is suitable for persons seeking to develop an understanding of families through a legal and sociological lens.
Learners will be introduced to key legal concepts in family law such as marriage formation, family diversity, separation, divorce and ancillary relief.
Learners will also be equipped with a sociological perspective on the role of the family in society.
The course will be delivered over a period of ten weeks.
Week 1 Introduction to the Course and family diversity
- Introduction to the course and assessment
- Defining the family: the Constitution, European Convention of Human Rights
- Issues of family diversity
- Gender and the family
Week 2 The family in Ireland – a historical analysis
- Modernity in Ireland
- Family and household in Ireland
- Education and inheritance
- The household economy
- The life course: From the sociology of childhood to the sociology of ageing
Week 3 The family as a social unit in Irish Society
- Defining the family (A major unit in the formation of societies)
- Agents of socialisation
- Sociological theory on the family
- Gender roles within the family
- Changing patterns of family formation
Week 4 Gender based violence and domestic violence
- Introduction to gender based violence
- Reliefs available for domestic violence: protection orders, safety orders and barring orders.
- Family violence
Week 5 The Home – a sociological understanding
- How the home is perceived and understood (Place exploration)
- Sociological theory on the home as a unit
- Changing gender roles
Week 6 Marriage
- Marriage formation
- Alternatives to marriage
- Civil partnership and cohabitation
- Reconciliation of family and work life
- The marriage contract
- Giddens and the transformation of intimacy.
Week 7 Separation and Divorce
- Separation agreement
- Judicial separation
- Divorce
- Ancillary remedies
- Sociology of Divorce
- Mediation
Week 8 Children
- UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Constitutional provisions relating to Children
- Guardianship
- Access
- Maintenance
- Adoption
- Children at risk
- Sociology of children and childhood
- Impact of social institutions on children
- Children in families and schools
- Socialisation of children
Week 9 Contemporary issues in family life
- Assisted human reproduction
- Gamete ownership
- Legal disputes
- Eugenics
Week 10 Contemporary issues in family life
- Same sex families and marriage
- “Therapy culture”
Students must successfully engage in the programme to graduate with either the Diploma or Certificate of Attendance unless a serious and verifiable reason for further absence is provided.
If completing the course online, students’ attendance and participation of the live or recorded classes is tracked through Moodle.
The Diploma is assessed using 100% continuous assessment.
Aideen Tansey
LLB, BL
Aideen Tansey B.L. is a graduate of both Maynooth University (LL.B.) and the Honourable Society of King’s Inns (B.L.). Aideen took her call to the Bar in 2022 and now works as a lawyer within the Life Sciences industry dealing with a broad range of subject matter. Aideen lectures on our Professional Diploma in Family Law and Society. Aideen also works in conjunction with lecturers on both the FE1 and King’s Inns preparatory courses
Anita Brady
Anita Brady BSoc.Sc., MScoc.Sc. is a graduate of Maynooth University and a Bachelor of Sociology and Social Policy and holds a Master’s Degree in Rights and Social Policy. Upon completion of Anita’s undergraduate Degree, she was awarded first-class honours in respect of her Dissertation which examined the experiences of whistleblowers in Ireland.
Anita has presented lectures on the experiences of whistleblowers from a sociological and policy perspective and was a tutor in Maynooth University where she tutored the module entitled: Political economy within the European Union.
Anita’s Master’s Degree explored from a social policy perspective, tribunals and inquiries in Ireland, with a particular emphasis on corruption, malpractice, wrongdoing and whistleblowing scandals in an Garda Síochána. Anita currently works in the area of social care; specifically, working with children who have experienced major trauma and in the care of the State. Anita currently lectures the Diploma in Social Studies in City Colleges Dublin.
Course Award
A City College’s Professional Diploma Course is a focused, practical programme designed and delivered by an industry practitioner, that consolidates, upskills or reskills learners in a professional area. They are stand-alone qualifications that indicate that you have been trained in a particular area or specific subject matter.
City College Diplomas are suitable for career minded learners wishing to advance their professional skills and prospects. They are widely accepted by employers and many students are sponsored to study here by their organisation.
Corporate Training
In addition to our scheduled Professional Diploma courses, City Colleges can provide bespoke training over 3 – 4 days, please contact Kevin.Coyne@citygroup.ie for further details.
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