Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 200978

Coordinator Jacinta Sassine Opens in new window

Description The subject exposes students to the contexts that affect how law is made, some of the institutional limitations on law and justice and the impact of globalisation on law. It introduces theories about the nature and function of law in historical, political, social, economic, cultural, ethical and international contexts. The connection between race, gender, culture and law is examined within the context of the Australian legal tradition, legal history, and the impact of the Australian legal system on Australian First Peoples. The subject introduces students to the processes of critical evaluation of arguments, legal communication and logical and critical problem solving.

School Law

Discipline Law, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Co-requisite(s) LAWS 1003 OR
LAWS 1006

Equivalent Subjects LAWS 1008 - Law Foundation

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Describe the development of Australian law, considering English legal history, reception of English law, independence and the impact of these developments on Australian First Peoples.
2. Apply theories about the nature and function of law in local and global contemporary contexts from different perspectives, including society, politics, economics, culture, gender and race.
3. Develop basic logic and critical skills to analyse legal texts.
4. Apply legal research skills in relation to primary and secondary sources to support legal analysis and critique, focusing on case analysis.
5. Articulate legal thought effectively for diverse audiences.
   

Subject Content

1. The Australian legal tradition
2. English legal history
3. Doctrine of reception and repugnancy 
4. Australian constitutional independence 
5. The impact of the Australian legal system on Australian First Peoples
6. Critical evaluation of arguments 
7. The nature of function of law 
8. Legal formalism and the rule of law 
9. Gender, race, culture and the law 
10. Law in an economic context 
11. Legal communication 
12. Case analysis, statutory interpretation and legal research.