LAW1202 Law in Context

LAW	1202	79332	2, 2008	ONC	Law in Context	1.00	Springfield
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
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Pauline Collins
Moderator: Reid Mortensen

OTHER REQUISITES

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, Research Paper) (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; legal theories at a first year level; concepts of the rule of law; separation of powers ideas of ethics and professions (especially as they relate to lawyers); the legal context for minority and disadvantaged groups (indigenous peoples, women), the legal context of anti-terror laws. (Adjudication Report, Debate, Written Argument, Online Test 1, Online Test 2, Research Paper) (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); an awareness of the need for, and an understanding of, high professional standards and ethical behaviour).
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, Research Paper) (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, Research Paper) (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: Introduction to legal theory (moral, legal and political philosophy) the rule of law, ideological approaches and critical theories.	30.00
4.	Module 4: Lawyers in context. Lawyers and the rule of law and separation of powers; moral perspectives on lawyers' practice; significance of character; official assessments of character and critiques.	15.00
5.	Module 5: The legal context for minority and disadvantaged groups: race (especially indigenous issues), and gender.	15.00
6.	Module 6: The legal context in the Age of Terror. Anti-terror laws; theoretical, political and professional responses to anti-terror laws.	10.00

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).

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 2005, Law in context, 3rd edn, Federation Press, Annandale, New South Wales.

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

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	Notes
ADJUDICATION REPORT	10.00	10.00	08 Aug 2008
ONLINE TEST 1	10.00	10.00	18 Aug 2008	(see note 1)
ONLINE TEST 2	10.00	10.00	15 Sep 2008
DEBATE	30.00	30.00	02 Nov 2008	(see note 2)
WRITTEN ARGUMENT	15.00	15.00	02 Nov 2008	(see note 3)
RESEARCH PAPER	25.00	25.00	03 Nov 2008

NOTES

1.: Students will have access to the online tests from the course home page via Moodle, for one week up to and including the due date.
2.: This assessment will include marks for content, presentation 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. Students will be allocated to teams and a topic at the beginning of the semester. This will be confirmed via the course home page.
3.: Individual student learning outcomes. Each student will write a 1000 word written argument 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 written argument will contribute to 15% 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>.

This version produced 24 Jun 2008.