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Unit of study_
LAWS3494: Law and Development in Southeast Asia
2025 unit information
This unit introduces students to the legal systems of Southeast Asia, focusing on Cambodia and Malaysia. The course emphasises law and development and takes a law and society approach, examining comparative legal doctrine, systems, and rights, and the instrumental role of law in achieving each country’s developmental strategies. Conflicts and tensions inevitably arise. Institutional and regulatory weaknesses, historic atrocities and post-colonial legacies continue to impact on the construction and implementation of laws and policies. We examine these tensions, focusing on human rights, transitional justice, the protection of vulnerable communities, gender and the environment. The Cambodian component will be taught at The Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE) in Phnom Penh, which was the first higher education institution in Cambodia and now houses its finest law faculty. The Malaysian component will be taught at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), in Kuala Lumpur, which is famous for its integration of secular and religious sciences. There will be significant field trip components in addition to the participatory lectures.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Law School
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Law |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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LAWS5194 or LAWS6149 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Analyse the historical foundations, sources, religious, and customary contexts of legal systems in Malaysia and Cambodia
- LO2. Analyse the interaction between law, politics, economy, culture and religion in Malaysia and Cambodia
- LO3. Critically assess the role of law in social, economic, and human development
- LO4. Formulate and assess perspectives on public policy
- LO5. Apply information and digital literacy skills and communicate complex legal and development concepts to diverse audiences
- LO6. Develop cultural competency and engage ethically with diverse perspectives on Cambodian and Malaysian legal systems
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
There are no availabilities for previous years.
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Departmental permission requirements
If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.
You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.
Read our information on departmental permission.
Additional advice
Enrolment in the winter school is by application to the Law School.
