Debates over the role of religion as well as religious law in the public sphere have been ongoing themes in recent decades in many countries. Religion and law are two important yet rival sources of normative reasoning of public order in which they are constitutive, regulative and coercive forces. The subject introduces students to various understanding of the interrelations between religion and law in the societal and individual domains of the public sphere; and reflects on the contentious nature of the relationships given sensitive issues such as religious education, equal marriage, abortion, human rights. In the first part of the subject, students study the relationship between law and religion in various faiths such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. The second part examines how different religious traditions interact and intersect with different legal traditions (common and civil law system) in a range of countries (for example Australia, UK, Israel, Indonesia, India, Iran).

This subject provides an introduction and overview of the legal principles of intellectual property law in Australia. Students will consider the nature of intellectual property, the legal framework which contains it, and the ways in which it can be protected. The modules will cover the four major intellectual property regimes of trademarks, copyright, designs, and patents as well as issues relating to traditional knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Students will research the theoretical underpinnings of Intellectual Property Rights and whether they are fit for purpose in contemporary society.