General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | LLAW3191 |
| Course name: | Comparative Family Law |
| Programme offered under: | LLB Programme |
| Semester: | Second |
| Designated research course: | Yes |
| Specialization: | Not applicable |
| Prerequisites / Co-requisites: | No |
| Course offered to non-law students: | No |
| Credit point value: | 6 credits |
1.2 Course description
This is a non-doctrinal-centric course. This course explores family law issues within a comparative and international framework, and no prior knowledge of family law or comparative law is required. Students are expected to read the “Must Read” materials and to skim the “Recommended” materials before each class. Our classes will primarily involve discussions of the assigned readings, and all students are encouraged to participate actively.
The syllabus outlines the topics and reading assignments to be covered throughout the semester. The schedule is flexible, as the pace of the course may vary. Some reading assignments may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the course’s progress.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor | Weilin Xiao | wlxiao@hku.hk | CCT 308 | By email |
1.4 Course outline (for elective course)
| Please click the link here for the course outline (HKU Portal login required). |
Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course
CLO Demonstrate basic knowledge of key difference of family principles in different jurisdictions and societies.
CLO 2 Apply theories and methodologies of comparative law to study and explain different family laws.
CLO 3 Comprehend the relationship between family and culture.
CLO 4 Examine the development of how different societies deal with new family law issues.
2.2 LLB Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Please refer to the following link: https://course.law.hku.hk/llb-plo/
2.3 Programme Learning Outcomes to be achieved in this course
| PLO A | PLO B | PLO C | PLO D | PLO E | PLO F | |
| CLO 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Assessment(s)
3.1 Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Weighting | Feedback method* | Course learning outcomes |
| Class participation | 20% | 1, 2, 3, 4 | |
| Mid-term essay (prospectus of research paper) | 20% | 3, 5 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Research paper | 60% | 1, 3 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| *Feedback method (to be determined by course teacher) | |
| 1 | A general course report to be disseminated through Moodle |
| 2 | Individual feedback to be disseminated by email / through Moodle |
| 3 | Individual review meeting upon appointment |
| 4 | Group review meeting |
| 5 | In-class verbal feedback |
3.2 Assessment Detail
To be advised by course convenor(s). See also Course Outline above.
3.3 Grading Criteria
Please refer to the following link: https://www.law.hku.hk/_files/law_programme_grade_descriptors.pdf
Learning Activities
4.1 Learning Activity Plan
| Seminar: | 3 hours / week for 12 teaching weeks |
| Private study time: | 9.5 hours / week for 12 teaching weeks |
Remarks: the normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours (ie. 150 ± 30 hours for a 6-credit course), which includes all learning activities and experiences within and outside of classroom, and any assessment task and examinations and associated preparations.
4.2 Details of Learning Activities
To be advised by course convenor(s).
Learning Resources
5.1 Resources
| Reading materials: | Reading materials are posted on Moodle |
| Core reading list: | TBA |
| Recommended reading list: | TBA |
5.2 Links
Please refer to the following link: http://www.law.hku.hk/course/learning-resources/