LAWS 3056 Practising in the Public Interest

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Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 200943

Coordinator John Juriansz Opens in new window

Description This unit is delivered by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, an independent, non-profit legal and policy centre. The unit introduces students to systems advocacy and public interest law and exposes them to organisations that are directly involved in public interest and pro bono litigation and activities.

School Law

Discipline Law, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) LAWS 2013 AND
LAWS 4015 AND
LAWS 2003 AND
LAWS 3082

Restrictions Enrolment into this subject is by invitation only. A minimum GPA of 5.5 for law subjects is required in order to enrol in this subject.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Write effectively and appropriately, displaying clear and logical structure and using accurate citation, grammar and punctuation.
  2. Use quality, current and relevant information from a range of primary and secondary sources.
  3. Ethically and accurately reference (using the Australian Guide to Legal Citation style) legal information from a range of primary and secondary sources.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of legal and non-legal strategies used in public interest advocacy by a range of organisations.
  5. Construct and critically evaluate arguments by reference to appropriate evidence, authority and alternative perspectives.
  6. Apply understanding of systems advocacy, advocacy within formal decision-making structures, the benefits and uses of public interest litigation across a range of organisations that are involved in public interest and pro bono legal practice.

Subject Content

Harm, disadvantage, community and discrimination
Homelessness, imprisonment and detention
First Peoples and systems of justice
Equality before the law
Government accountability
Consumer rights
Public Interest Advocacy and Campaigning
Public Interest Litigation
Parliamentary Processes for Campaigning
Bureaucratic and Political Strategies
Intervening in the Public Interest
Media and Social Media for Campaigning

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Reflective Journal 2,500 words (5 entries of 500 words each) 35 N Individual
Research Assignment 2,500 - 3,000 words 65 N Individual
Intensive Seminar Sessions Students must satisfactorily complete all engagement requirements as may be established by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. S/U N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Readings will be provided by PIAC.

Teaching Periods

Structures that include subject