The Unpopularity of Property Law Modules: Popular Culture offers Solutions

Abstract

The commodification of Legal Education and the popularity of law as a subject of study have been reflected in a plethora of law courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels on offer in the English Universities. Property Law modules do not necessarily enjoy the same degree of popularity to other modules on a qualifying law degree in English Universities. Despite being slowly changing modules, Property Law modules did not remain unaffected by the commodification of legal education. As a result, Property Law became highly specialised. This quickly translated in optional modules such as: Succession Law, Housing Law, Landlord and Tenant Law, Construction Law etc. Nevertheless, Property Law modules remain highly unpopular among the student population in the English Universities. This paper examines the reasons for this by focusing on three parameters. The first parameter examines the nature of the subject itself as highly technical, therefore less adventurous and attractive. The second parameter brings forward the suggestion that neither legal educators nor researchers have actually successfully managed to break away from the monotony of Property Law subjects. The third parameter proposes solutions to the increasing unpopularity of these subjects. It puts forward the suggestion that a socio-legal approach to the subjects combined with appealing forms of popular culture might just increase the popularity of the subjects among the student population.