LAWS 7056 Fundamentals of Australian Law

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 201046

Coordinator Sandy Noakes Opens in new window

Description This subject provides students with the fundamental legal skills required to succeed in the study and practice of law. Students will be introduced to the Australian legal system, legal study skills and the importance of academic integrity for law students, how law is made, how cases and statute interact, the Australian court hierarchies, , case analysis skills, statutory interpretation skills, an introduction to legal ethics and justice, and an introduction to the impact of the Australian legal system on Australian First Peoples.

School Law

Discipline Law, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Co-requisite(s) None

Incompatible Subjects LAWS 1003 Fundamentals of Australian Law

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in a postgraduate program.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Discuss the basis of the Australian law and legal system, including common law institutions and their roles, and the concepts of justice and ethics and the impact of the Australian legal system on Australian First Peoples.
  2. Apply basic logical and legal reasoning to legal scenarios.
  3. Apply the doctrine of precedent and the rules of statutory interpretation to basic legal problems.
  4. Formulate legal arguments that demonstrate an understanding of the varied functions and techniques of effective communication in legal practice.

Subject Content

  1. Legal study skills
  2. Academic Integrity
  3. How law is made
  4. How cases and statute interact
  5. Court hierarchies
  6. Case analysis skills
  7. Statutory interpretation skills
  8. Introduction to legal ethics and justice
  9. Introduction to the impact of the Australian legal system on Australian First People

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.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task Mandatory
Quiz 4 quizzes across semester - 30 minutes 30 N Individual Y
Case Study 2 hours 30 N Individual Y
Professional Task 45 minutes S/U Y Individual Y
Final Exam 24 hours 40 N Individual Y

Prescribed Texts

  • Michelle Sanson and Thalia Anthony, Connecting with Law (Oxford University Press, 5th ed, 2022)

Teaching Periods

Autumn (2024)

Campbelltown

On-site

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Online

Online

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Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

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Spring (2024)

Online

Online

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Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

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Autumn (2025)

Campbelltown

On-site

Subject Contact Sandy Noakes Opens in new window

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Online

Online

Subject Contact Sandy Noakes Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Sandy Noakes Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Spring (2025)

Online

Online

Subject Contact Sandy Noakes Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Sandy Noakes Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window