Students
LAWS5011 – Discrimination and the Law
2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances, Other
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.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Therese MacDermott
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(130cp in Law or LAWS units) or (130cp including LAWS260 or LAWS2060)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit aims to give students a grounding in both the theoretical and practical application of Australia's existing anti-discrimination regulatory framework. The unit introduces students to critical debates regarding what is discrimination, what anti-discrimination legislation is designed to achieve, and how best can law address inequality and discrimination. The unit also examines the legal form in which discrimination is regulated. It requires students to come to terms with the legal concepts of direct and indirect discrimination, the construction of the various grounds of discrimination, the application of the prohibitions in specified contexts, as well as defences and exemptions that apply.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: analyse and critique the role of law in addressing inequality and discrimination
- ULO2: contrast different theoretical approaches to equality and non-discrimination
- ULO3: explain what constitutes unlawful discrimination and how a complaint of unlawful discrimination is pursued within the current regulatory framework
- ULO4: locate and analyse relevant primary and secondary sources relating to discrimination law
- ULO5: critique reform options and proposals in the field of discrimination law
General Assessment Information
Late Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Quiz | 15% | No | 30 mins between 5-8pm 31 March 21 |
| Participatory tasks | 15% | No | ongoing |
| Research essay | 40% | No | 5PM 10 May 2021 |
| Take-home Final Assessment | 30% | No | 10- 2pm 11 June 2021 |
Online Quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 30 mins between 5-8pm 31 March 21
Weighting: 15%
On-line quiz based on content covered in the early part of the course
On successful completion you will be able to:
- analyse and critique the role of law in addressing inequality and discrimination
- contrast different theoretical approaches to equality and non-discrimination
- explain what constitutes unlawful discrimination and how a complaint of unlawful discrimination is pursued within the current regulatory framework
- locate and analyse relevant primary and secondary sources relating to discrimination law
Participatory tasks
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: ongoing
Weighting: 15%
A series of participatory tasks scheduled throughout the semester to monitor student progress and participation in the unit. These may include reflective task, reporting back from a group discussion, participating in role plays, discussions and other exercises, commenting on readings, and contributions to discussions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- analyse and critique the role of law in addressing inequality and discrimination
- contrast different theoretical approaches to equality and non-discrimination
- explain what constitutes unlawful discrimination and how a complaint of unlawful discrimination is pursued within the current regulatory framework
- locate and analyse relevant primary and secondary sources relating to discrimination law
- critique reform options and proposals in the field of discrimination law
Research essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 5PM 10 May 2021
Weighting: 40%
This task requires students to engage in in-depth research and reading from a wide range of sources, from which they will develop well-supported arguments. In writing the essay, students will demonstrate their ability to critically analyse the core issues raised by a topic, as well as an understanding of the context, relevant case law, and the broader public policy issues involved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- analyse and critique the role of law in addressing inequality and discrimination
- contrast different theoretical approaches to equality and non-discrimination
- locate and analyse relevant primary and secondary sources relating to discrimination law
- critique reform options and proposals in the field of discrimination law
Take-home Final Assessment
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 10- 2pm 11 June 2021
Weighting: 30%
A timed assessment task for which all unit content may be relevant
On successful completion you will be able to:
- explain what constitutes unlawful discrimination and how a complaint of unlawful discrimination is pursued within the current regulatory framework
- locate and analyse relevant primary and secondary sources relating to discrimination law
- critique reform options and proposals in the field of discrimination law
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Lectures published on iLearn; weekly tutorials and block sessions
Policies and Procedures
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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.
Student Code of Conduct
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
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
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
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.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
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
IT Help
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.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook