Availabilities:

LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3,5
N/A

Unit description

Introduces students to the concept of law and to the Australian legal system. Discusses basic concepts such as federalism, parliamentary sovereignty, separation of powers, rule of law, statutory interpretation, the doctrine of precedent and procedural fairness. Explores issues related to Indigenous Australian peoples and to effective equality before the law for all Australians.

Unit content

Module 1: Law in context

Module 2: Laws and legal systems in Australia

Module 3: Institutional structures

Module 4: Judge-made law

Module 5: Legislation

Module 6: Law in practice

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of the Australian legal system, including federalism, parliamentary sovereignty, separation of powers, rule of law, statutory interpretation, the doctrine of precedent and procedural fairness
2recognise the historical, social and political context of the foundations of the Australian legal system and evaluate whether the system achieves equality before the law for disadvantaged groups
3identify how the law is made and the institutions and processes that influence change
4identify how law enforcement operates in practice and the role of legal and paralegal professional roles.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of the Australian legal system, including federalism, parliamentary sovereignty, separation of powers, rule of law, statutory interpretation, the doctrine of precedent and procedural fairness
  2. recognise the historical, social and political context of the foundations of the Australian legal system and evaluate whether the system achieves equality before the law for disadvantaged groups
  3. identify how the law is made and the institutions and processes that influence change
  4. identify how law enforcement operates in practice and the role of legal and paralegal professional roles.

Prescribed Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts
  • Sanson, M & Anthony, T, 2022, Connecting with Law, 5th edn, Oxford University Press, Docklands, Victoria. ISBN: 9780190333782.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment
  • No prescribed resources/equipment.

Prescribed Texts
  • Sanson, M & Anthony, T, 2022, Connecting with Law, 5th edn, Oxford University Press, Docklands, Victoria. ISBN: 9780190333782.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment
  • No prescribed resources/equipment.

Prescribed Texts
  • Prescribed text information is not currently available.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment
  • Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.
Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)
Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)
Assessment
Take Home Exam50%
Essay30%
Quiz20%

Teaching method
Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)
Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)
Assessment
Take Home Exam50%
Essay30%
Quiz20%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every teaching period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the teaching period.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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