Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Zara Bending
|
---|---|
Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertLaw or JD
|
Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is offered on a pass/fail basis. This unit enables students to attain well-developed cognitive and practical key legal skills (legal reasoning, case analysis and statutory interpretation) and to acquire an advanced level of foundational legal knowledge (Australian legal institutions; legal theory; comparative legal systems; parliamentary process; role of the judiciary) necessary for further graduate study in law. Students will also engage in reflective practice. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Further instructions for each assessment task are available on the unit's iLearn page.
Students are also advised that:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Academic Integrity and Referencing Quiz | 10% | Yes | 8/3/21 (hurdle 15/3/21) |
Core Skills Assessment | 40% | Yes | 5/4/21 (hurdle 17/5/21) |
Reflection on Law | 20% | Yes | 3/5/21 (hurdle 14/6/21) |
Foundations of Law Quiz | 10% | Yes | 7/6/21 (hurdle 21/6/21) |
Foundations of Law Viva | 20% | Yes | 18/6/21 (hurdle 25/6/21) |
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: 8/3/21 (hurdle 15/3/21)
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Consists of two online multiple choice quizzes in which students will demonstrate their ability to apply principles of academic integrity and rules for correct legal citation.
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 5/4/21 (hurdle 17/5/21)
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Consists of a short assignment (max 2,500 words, excluding footnotes) submitted online in which students will analyse and interpret primary legal sources (case law and legislation) and relate these to foundational concepts.
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: 3/5/21 (hurdle 14/6/21)
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Consists of a written reflection (max. 1,500 words) in which students analyse a media article concerning the effectiveness of Australian legal frameworks in addressing a contemporary legal issue.
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 7/6/21 (hurdle 21/6/21)
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Students must complete a timed online quiz to demonstrate understanding of foundational aspects of Australian law, including core concepts in public law.
Assessment Type 1: Viva/oral examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: 18/6/21 (hurdle 25/6/21)
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Student understanding of fundamental principles of Australian law will be evaluated through a 15-minute oral assessment (in person or remotely).
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
All Lectures for this unit are pre-recorded and can be accessed via the unit iLearn page at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
On campus students have weekly 1-hour face-to-face tutorials commencing in Week 1 and concluding in Week 12. Students should consult the official Timetable for class times, dates and locations at: http://timetables.mq.edu.au
Online students will have access to seminars conducted via Zoom. Timing will be advised via the unit iLearn page.
All students will have access to lectures, learning activities and resources via the unit iLearn page to work through on a week-to-week basis.
Required Textbook:
R. Creyke et al., Laying Down the Law (LexisNexis, 10th ed, 2017).
Additional required and recommended reading materials will be posted at the unit’s iLearn page.
Computer and Internet access are required in order to successfully complete this unit. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
Topic # |
Topics Covered |
1 |
Foundations of Australian Law; Legal Traditions; Classifications of Law; Equity and the Common Law |
2 |
Australian Legal History and Constitution; Separation of Powers |
3 |
Statutory Interpretation; The Legislature and Executive Branches of Government |
4 |
Case Law and the Doctrine of Precedent; The Judiciary |
5 |
Case Law and Judicial Reasoning; Analysing Cases; Legal Writing |
6 |
Legal Problem Solving |
7 |
Constitutionalism and Democratic Institutions; Law Reform; Tribunals and Popular Justice |
8 |
The Rule of Law; Australian Human Rights Law |
9 |
Indigenous and Customary Law in Australia |
10 |
Statutory Obligations and Discretion; International Law in Australia |
11 |
Applying Skills to Solving Complex Legal Problems |
12 | Advocacy |
Further details can be found on the unit’s iLearn page.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
The Legal Research Quizzes no longer constitute a formal assessment item; these remain available as self-study resources. Further clarifications were also made to set out the viva assessment task.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook