LAW5502 Advanced Law in Context
| Subject | Cat-nbr | Class | Term | Mode | Description | Units | Campus |
| LAW | 5502 | 91116 | 2, 2009 | EXT | Advanced Law in Context | 1.00 | Toowoomba |
|---|
| Academic group: | FOBUS |
| Academic org: | FOB010 |
| Student contribution band: | 3 |
| ASCED code: | 090900 |
Contents
- Staffing
- Other requisites
- Synopsis
- Objectives
- Topics
- Texts
- Reference materials
- Student workload
- Assessment details
- Graduate qualities and skills
- Important assessment information
- Assessment notes
- Other requirements
- Production date
-
PDF version
STAFFING
Examiner: Pauline CollinsModerator: Reid Mortensen
OTHER REQUISITES
Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at <http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/default.htm>. Internet-based live classroom sessions: In addition, external students will in this course have the opportunity to use an Internet-based live classroom allowing you to participate in group work and for assessment of the debate. These sessions will require a computer headset with microphone and a broadband connection but you can also participate via text (if you do not have a microphone) and a dialup connection. If you have a web cam you can also use this. The course Announcements and News forum will contain full instructions for preparing your computer and connecting to the session. You will also be advised via the StudyDesk at the start of the semester as to the process by which you will be grouped into debate teams. You will need to check the StudyDesk early in the first week of semester.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, ethics, discrimination and family issues will be covered. The course will engage students in the study of law.
OBJECTIVES
On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- 1.
- demonstrate teamwork skills and management, planning and organisation skills including leadership, the capacity for self awareness and self-confidence
- 2.
- demonstrate academic, professional , cultural literacy and ethical research and enquiry skills by describing, explaining, interpreting, illustrating, assessing and critiqueing 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
- 3.
- provide appropriate illustrations of the principles of law dealt with in this course and demonstrate the ability to apply those principles to factual scenarios
- 4.
- demonstrate intermediate level written and oral communication skills by critically analysing, defining and communicating arguments in a logical well-reasoned manner.
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 CD. Course Materials are available online through the StudyDesk.
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 Online; HeinOnline, Index to Legal Periodicals & Books, Informit Online - AGIS Attorney-General's Information Service Plus Text, APA-FT Australian Public Affairs - Full Text; Legal Online; LexisNexis AU; Qld Legal Indices Online.
Bottomley, S & Bronitt, S 2005, Law in context, 3rd edn, Federation Press, Annandale, New South Wales.
Leiboff, M & Thomas, M 2009, Legal theories: contexts and practices, Lawbook Co, Sydney, 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 |
| Assessments | 22.00 |
| Directed Study | 52.00 |
| Private Study | 91.00 |
ASSESSMENT DETAILS
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg(%) | Due date | Objectives assessed | Graduate skill | Level assessed | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADJUDICATION REPORT | 10.00 | 10.00 | 07 Aug 2009 | 1, 2, 4 | U3, U4 | 1, 2 | ||
| ONLINE TEST 1 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 17 Aug 2009 | 1, 2 | U1, U3, U7 | 1, 1, 1 | (see note 1) | |
| ONLINE TEST 2 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 11 Sep 2009 | 1, 2 | U1, U3, U7 | 1, 1, 1 | ||
| ONLINE TEST 3 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 30 Oct 2009 | 1, 2 | U1, U3, U7 | 1, 1, 1 | ||
| WRITTEN ARGUMENT | 20.00 | 20.00 | 02 Nov 2009 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | U3, U4 | 1, 2 | (see note 2) | |
| DEBATE | 30.00 | 30.00 | 02 Nov 2009 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | U3, U4, U6, U8 | 1, 2, 1, 1 | (see note 3) | |
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.
- Individual student learning outcomes. Each student will write a 2000 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 20% of the student's final grade. This will be due within one week of presentation of your debate.
- 3.
- 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.
GRADUATE QUALITIES AND SKILLS
Elements of the following Graduate Skills are associated with the successful completion of this course.
|
Graduate skill assessed |
Level assessed |
|---|---|
| Ethical Research & Enquiry (Skill U1) | Introductory (Level 1) |
| Academic & Professional Literacy (Skill U3) | Introductory (Level 1) |
| Written & Oral Communication (Skill U4) | Intermediate (Level 2) |
| Teamwork (Skill U6) | Introductory (Level 1) |
| Cultural Literacy (Skill U7) | Introductory (Level 1) |
| Managmt, Planning & Org Skills (Skill U8) | Introductory (Level 1) |
IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
- Attendance requirements:
If you are an international student in Australia, you are advised to attend all classes if any are offered at your campus. For all other students, there are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility 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 Procedures which can be found at <http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm>.
ASSESSMENT NOTES
| 1. | Referencing in assignments: Students studying this course as part of a Juris Doctor must use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (AGLC) style. Students who are not enrolled in the Juris Doctor may use either Harvard (AGPS) or the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (AGLC) in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. For AGLC style guide enquiries, consult the AGLC manual from the USQ Library's referencing guide at <http://www.usq.edu.au/library/help/referencing/default.htm>, or contact the Law librarian. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide at <http://www.usq.edu.au/library/help/referencing/default.htm>. |
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Computer, e-mail and Internet access: Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at <http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/default.htm>.
This version produced 11 Dec 2009.