LAW1202 Law in Context

LAW	1202	67358	2, 2007	ONC	Law in Context	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOBUS
Academic org:	FOB010
Student contribution band:	3
ASCED code:	090900

Staffing
Other requisites
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Pauline Collins
Moderator: Anthony Gray

OTHER REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to USQConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm

SYNOPSIS

It is important for those learning the skills of lawyers to understand that the law is part of the social fabric and reflects the views and values of the society in which it operates. This course is designed to introduce students to the law and skills required for lawyers. Students will journal personal reflections and self awareness. They will learn to discuss and debate in a public forum key legal concepts and principles underpinning the legal system such as the doctrine of separation of powers and the rule of law. Consideration of specific legal issues such as indigenous, multicultural, criminal activity, access to justice, discrimination and family issues will be covered. The course will engage students in the study of law.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item/s that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective is/are shown in parentheses after each objective together with the graduate attributes (GAs). On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

demonstrate personal self awareness, confidence at expressing themselves and ability to critically analyse and define arguments and communicate these in a logical well reasoned manner (Adjudication Report, Debate, Written Argument, Journal) (GAs: analytical and critical-thinking skills; decision-making skills based on open-mindedness, objectivity and reasoned analysis; an awareness of the need for, and an understanding of, high professional standards and ethical behaviour; an awareness of the need for, and an understanding of, individual responsibility and accountability; an understanding of the social, environmental and cultural context of their disciplines(s))
describe, explain, interpret, illustrate, assess and critique the following topics: values, what is the law; sociological and anthropological approaches to law, legal systems, indigenous and multicultural issues in a legal context; legal philosophical and jurisprudential theories at a first year level; the concepts of rule of law, separation of powers, reasonable person and unconscionable conduct (Adjudication Report, Debate, Written Argument, Journal) (GAs: analytical and critical-thinking skills; independent learning skills; decision-making skills based on open-mindedness, objectivity and reasoned analysis; an understanding of the social, environmental and cultural context of their disciplines(s))
provide appropriate illustrations of the principles of law dealt with in this course and demonstrate the ability to apply those principles to factual scenarios (Debate, Written Argument, Journal) (GAs: independent learning skills; information acquisition, organisation and presentation skills; decision-making skills based on open-mindedness, objectivity and reasoned analysis; an awareness of the need for, and an understanding of, high professional standards and ethical behaviour)
demonstrate satisfactory communication skills (Adjudication Report, Debate, Written Argument, Journal) (GAs: communication skills; information acquisition, organisation and presentation skills).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Module 1: Values, team work, debating skills, critical thinking	15.00
2.	Module 2: What is law? Sociological and anthropological approaches to law, legal systems	15.00
3.	Module 3: Legal philosophy and jurisprudence, ideological approaches and critical theories	30.00
4.	Module 4: Rule of law, separation of powers, reasonable person and unconscionable conduct	10.00
5.	Module 5: Gender and the law; access to justice	15.00
6.	Module 6: Rights and freedoms; preventative detention	15.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

LAW1202 study package available from the USQ Bookshop.

There is no recommended text for this course. Students will be referred to selected readings on the DVD.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

The following electronic databases are available through the USQ Library Homepage, Access all Databases, and follow the alphabetical link to each one: CCH Electronic Libraries; Informit Online - AGIS Attorney-General's Information Service Plus Text, APA-FT Australian Public Affairs - Full Text; Lawbook Online - The Australian Digest; LexisNexis AU; Qld Legal Indices Online.

Bottomley, S & Bronitt, S 2006, Law in context, 3rd edn, Federation Press, Annandale, New South Wales.

Cook, C, Creyke, R, Geddes, R & Hamer, D 2005, An introduction to legal history, Laying down the law, Lexis Nexis Butterworths, Chatswood, New South Wales.

Mansell, W, Meteyard, B & Thomson, A 2004, A critical introduction to law, 3rd edn, Cavendish Publishing, New South Wales.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessment	22.00
Directed Study	52.00
Lectures and Tutorials	39.00
Private Study	52.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date
ADJUDICATION REPORT	10.00	10.00	03 Aug 2007
JOURNAL	40.00	40.00	02 Nov 2007	(see note 1)
DEBATE	30.00	30.00	02 Nov 2007	(see note 2)
WRITTEN ARGUMENT	20.00	20.00	02 Nov 2007	(see note 3)

NOTES

1.: Individual student contribution. Students will prepare a journal for each week's topic and contribute to the weekly discussions. Student's journal and contribution to the discussion will be assessed and will account for 40% of the overall marks.
2.: Dates advised during the semester. Provision will be made for tele or videoconferencing. Individual student contribution to the team process. Students will work in teams to present a debate. This online assessment will include marks for content and team work. This will contribute 30% to the student's final mark for the course. This will be completed before the end of semester 2.
3.: Individual student learning outcomes. Each student will write a 1000 word assignment, after their debate, arguing the case for the opposing side. The assessment will include marks for content and professional quality of delivery. The mark on this research paper will contribute to 20% of the student's final grade. This will be due within one week of presentation of your debate.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval of the examiner, then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Not applicable.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Student Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene university regulations. These regulations can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Policies and Procedures which can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Learning resources: Prescribed texts and materials (see above); recommended reference materials (see above); DVD*; and course Website accessible via USQConnect. *part of the study package available from the USQ Bookshop

This version produced 20 Dec 2007.