LLB101 Introduction to Law
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | LLB101 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | LWB145 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,040 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,597 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,024 |
| International unit fee | $4,044 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | LLB101 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | LWB145 |
| Coordinators: | Elizabeth Dickson | e.dickson@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Introduction to Law provides a necessary foundation for legal studies by introducing you to core legal knowledge and the skills of legal reasoning, problem solving, legal writing and research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the foundations of the Australian legal system, including how the law has evolved in diverse and changing contexts (Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) 1.1, 1.2, 1.5)
- Locate, read and analyse primary and secondary sources of law (CLO 3.1)
- Apply the law to solve defined legal problems (CLOs 2.1, 2.2)
- Effectively communicate in appropriate legal terminology, using legal citation where necessary (academic integrity) (CLO 4.1), and
- Reflect upon performance and feedback to develop as an independent learner (CLO 5.2).
Content
The content of this unit includes:
- introduction to the Australian legal system, including legal history and its impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- the context of the Australian legal system in relation to other legal systems (including global and Indigenous systems)
- the role of law and the legal practitioner
- an introduction to ethics as a student of law and the ramifications for legal practice
- sources of law (case law and legislation)
- legal terminology and classification of law
- legal writing, citation and problem solving
- reading and analysing case law
- academic and technical literacies for sourcing relevant materials
- Commonwealth and Queensland court hierarchies and jurisdiction
- the doctrine of precedent
- techniques of judicial reasoning
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active and blended approach to learning. It involves an online, self-led learning practice and live tutorials where you will learn from and collaborate with staff and your peers. Prior to tutorials, you will be supported and engaged in this unit through the delivery of live lectures and/or weekly content recordings, textbook readings (or other sources), and formative quizzes to provide you with feedback on your understanding of that topic. At key, strategic points throughout the unit, you have the option of engaging in on campus, live lectures that facilitate discussion and solidify threshold understandings of unit content and assessment requirements.
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Engagement with lectures or online content materials;
- Reading the textbook or other prescribed readings;
- Preparing answers to tutorial activities prior to the class;
- Discussions in live tutorials and/or on Canvas;
- Collaboration with peers in tutorials to share your understandings; and
- The option of consultation with staff.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students are provided with feedback to assist their learning throughout the semester. The feedback is provided through:
- the discussions in the weekly synchronous tutorials
- online discussions with peers in the asynchronous tutorial option
- the individual feedback provided on assessment, in conjunction with Criteria Referenced Assessment matrix.
- generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas for each item of assessment
- examples of, or feedback from, past student assessment, and
- the option of consultation with a member of the teaching team.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit students are graded on a scale of one to seven.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Writing and Research Skills task
You will complete the following:
(a) a short writing task, which focuses upon your ability to write correctly, clearly and succinctly, on a topic related to your study of law. Its purpose is to diagnose generic writing errors, to allow you to improve before embarking on more formal legal writing tasks. This aspect will be graded on a 'Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory' basis, meaning that either 5 marks or 0 marks will be awarded. If unsatisfactory on the first attempt, a process will be available for students to correct their errors and resubmit a second attempt.
(b) five short-answer questions which require you to use the introductory legal research skills taught in the unit. Each question will be worth 1 mark.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Take home examination
This assessment item will assess your knowledge of materials covered in weeks 1 to 7. The exam will comprise a multiple-choice quiz component (15 marks), and problem-solving questions (35 marks).
The exam will be available to complete from Friday of week 8, and due on or before Monday of week 9.
Assessment: Case analysis assignment
Acting in the role of a paralegal, you will analyse a piece of case law and explain to a partner in your firm what the material facts of the case were, the issues on appeal, how the court reached its ultimate decision and the implications of the case for your firm's practice. You may also be asked to reflect on feedback you have received to date on formative and summative assessment items you have completed in the unit.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Nil.
Weekly prescribed readings will be posted online.
Recommended text(s)
A law dictionary will be useful throughout your law course and in careers related to law. You may choose to purchase one from the bookshop, however QUT also subscribes to an online legal dictionary database which you can access at no cost.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no unusual risks in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LW36 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW38 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse, changing and global contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW39 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The role of law in achieving sustainable futures
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying the law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Online
| Unit code: | LLB101 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | LWB145 |
Overview
Introduction to Law provides a necessary foundation for legal studies by introducing you to core legal knowledge and the skills of legal reasoning, problem solving, legal writing and research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the foundations of the Australian legal system, including how the law has evolved in diverse and changing contexts (Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) 1.1, 1.2, 1.5)
- Locate, read and analyse primary and secondary sources of law (CLO 3.1)
- Apply the law to solve defined legal problems (CLOs 2.1, 2.2)
- Effectively communicate in appropriate legal terminology, using legal citation where necessary (academic integrity) (CLO 4.1), and
- Reflect upon performance and feedback to develop as an independent learner (CLO 5.2).
Content
The content of this unit includes:
- introduction to the Australian legal system, including legal history and its impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- the context of the Australian legal system in relation to other legal systems (including global and Indigenous systems)
- the role of law and the legal practitioner
- an introduction to ethics as a student of law and the ramifications for legal practice
- sources of law (case law and legislation)
- legal terminology and classification of law
- legal writing, citation and problem solving
- reading and analysing case law
- academic and technical literacies for sourcing relevant materials
- Commonwealth and Queensland court hierarchies and jurisdiction
- the doctrine of precedent
- techniques of judicial reasoning
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active and blended approach to learning. It involves an online, self-led learning practice and live tutorials where you will learn from and collaborate with staff and your peers. Prior to tutorials, you will be supported and engaged in this unit through the delivery of live lectures and/or weekly content recordings, textbook readings (or other sources), and formative quizzes to provide you with feedback on your understanding of that topic. At key, strategic points throughout the unit, you have the option of engaging in on campus, live lectures that facilitate discussion and solidify threshold understandings of unit content and assessment requirements.
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Engagement with lectures or online content materials;
- Reading the textbook or other prescribed readings;
- Preparing answers to tutorial activities prior to the class;
- Discussions in live tutorials and/or on Canvas;
- Collaboration with peers in tutorials to share your understandings; and
- The option of consultation with staff.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students are provided with feedback to assist their learning throughout the semester. The feedback is provided through:
- the discussions in the weekly synchronous tutorials
- online discussions with peers in the asynchronous tutorial option
- the individual feedback provided on assessment, in conjunction with Criteria Referenced Assessment matrix.
- generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas for each item of assessment
- examples of, or feedback from, past student assessment, and
- the option of consultation with a member of the teaching team.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit students are graded on a scale of one to seven.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Writing and Research Skills task
You will complete the following:
(a) a short writing task, which focuses upon your ability to write correctly, clearly and succinctly, on a topic related to your study of law. Its purpose is to diagnose generic writing errors, to allow you to improve before embarking on more formal legal writing tasks. This aspect will be graded on a 'Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory' basis, meaning that either 5 marks or 0 marks will be awarded. If unsatisfactory on the first attempt, a process will be available for students to correct their errors and resubmit a second attempt.
(b) five short-answer questions which require you to use the introductory legal research skills taught in the unit. Each question will be worth 1 mark.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Take home examination
This assessment item will assess your knowledge of materials covered in weeks 1 to 7. The exam will comprise a multiple-choice quiz component (15 marks), and problem-solving questions (35 marks).
The exam will be available to complete from Friday of week 8, and due on or before Monday of week 9.
Assessment: Case analysis assignment
Acting in the role of a paralegal, you will analyse a piece of case law and explain to a partner in your firm what the material facts of the case were, the issues on appeal, how the court reached its ultimate decision and the implications of the case for your firm's practice. You may also be asked to reflect on feedback you have received to date on formative and summative assessment items you have completed in the unit.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Nil.
Weekly prescribed readings will be posted online.
Recommended text(s)
A law dictionary will be useful throughout your law course and in careers related to law. You may choose to purchase one from the bookshop, however QUT also subscribes to an online legal dictionary database which you can access at no cost.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no unusual risks in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LW36 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW38 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse, changing and global contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW39 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The role of law in achieving sustainable futures
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying the law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | LLB101 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | LWB145 |
| Coordinators: | John O'Brien | john.obrien@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Introduction to Law provides a necessary foundation for legal studies by introducing you to core legal knowledge and the skills of legal reasoning, problem solving, legal writing and research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the foundations of the Australian legal system, including how the law has evolved in diverse and changing contexts (Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) 1.1, 1.2, 1.5)
- Locate, read and analyse primary and secondary sources of law (CLO 3.1)
- Apply the law to solve defined legal problems (CLOs 2.1, 2.2)
- Effectively communicate in appropriate legal terminology, using legal citation where necessary (academic integrity) (CLO 4.1), and
- Reflect upon performance and feedback to develop as an independent learner (CLO 5.2).
Content
The content of this unit includes:
- introduction to the Australian legal system, including legal history and its impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- the context of the Australian legal system in relation to other legal systems (including global and Indigenous systems)
- the role of law and the legal practitioner
- an introduction to ethics as a student of law and the ramifications for legal practice
- sources of law (case law and legislation)
- legal terminology and classification of law
- legal writing, citation and problem solving
- reading and analysing case law
- academic and technical literacies for sourcing relevant materials
- Commonwealth and Queensland court hierarchies and jurisdiction
- the doctrine of precedent
- techniques of judicial reasoning
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active and blended approach to learning. It involves an online, self-led learning practice and live tutorials where you will learn from and collaborate with staff and your peers. Prior to tutorials, you will be supported and engaged in this unit through the delivery of live lectures and/or weekly content recordings, textbook readings (or other sources), and formative quizzes to provide you with feedback on your understanding of that topic. At key, strategic points throughout the unit, you have the option of engaging in on campus, live lectures that facilitate discussion and solidify threshold understandings of unit content and assessment requirements.
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Engagement with lectures or online content materials;
- Reading the textbook or other prescribed readings;
- Preparing answers to tutorial activities prior to the class;
- Discussions in live tutorials and/or on Canvas;
- Collaboration with peers in tutorials to share your understandings; and
- The option of consultation with staff.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students are provided with feedback to assist their learning throughout the semester. The feedback is provided through:
- the discussions in the weekly synchronous tutorials
- online discussions with peers in the asynchronous tutorial option
- the individual feedback provided on assessment, in conjunction with Criteria Referenced Assessment matrix.
- generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas for each item of assessment
- examples of, or feedback from, past student assessment, and
- the option of consultation with a member of the teaching team.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit students are graded on a scale of one to seven.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Writing and Research Skills task
You will complete the following:
(a) a short writing task, which focuses upon your ability to write correctly, clearly and succinctly, on a topic related to your study of law. Its purpose is to diagnose generic writing errors, to allow you to improve before embarking on more formal legal writing tasks. This aspect will be graded on a 'Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory' basis, meaning that either 5 marks or 0 marks will be awarded. If unsatisfactory on the first attempt, a process will be available for students to correct their errors and resubmit a second attempt.
(b) five short-answer questions which require you to use the introductory legal research skills taught in the unit. Each question will be worth 1 mark.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Take home examination
This assessment item will assess your knowledge of materials covered in weeks 1 to 7. The exam will comprise a multiple-choice quiz component (15 marks), and problem-solving questions (35 marks).
The exam will be available to complete from Friday of week 8, and due on or before Monday of week 9.
Assessment: Case analysis assignment
Acting in the role of a paralegal, you will analyse a piece of case law and explain to a partner in your firm what the material facts of the case were, the issues on appeal, how the court reached its ultimate decision and the implications of the case for your firm's practice. You may also be asked to reflect on feedback you have received to date on formative and summative assessment items you have completed in the unit.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Nil.
Weekly prescribed readings will be posted online.
Recommended text(s)
A law dictionary will be useful throughout your law course and in careers related to law. You may choose to purchase one from the bookshop, however QUT also subscribes to an online legal dictionary database which you can access at no cost.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no unusual risks in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LW36 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW38 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse, changing and global contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW39 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The role of law in achieving sustainable futures
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying the law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Online
| Unit code: | LLB101 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | LWB145 |
Overview
Introduction to Law provides a necessary foundation for legal studies by introducing you to core legal knowledge and the skills of legal reasoning, problem solving, legal writing and research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the foundations of the Australian legal system, including how the law has evolved in diverse and changing contexts (Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) 1.1, 1.2, 1.5)
- Locate, read and analyse primary and secondary sources of law (CLO 3.1)
- Apply the law to solve defined legal problems (CLOs 2.1, 2.2)
- Effectively communicate in appropriate legal terminology, using legal citation where necessary (academic integrity) (CLO 4.1), and
- Reflect upon performance and feedback to develop as an independent learner (CLO 5.2).
Content
The content of this unit includes:
- introduction to the Australian legal system, including legal history and its impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- the context of the Australian legal system in relation to other legal systems (including global and Indigenous systems)
- the role of law and the legal practitioner
- an introduction to ethics as a student of law and the ramifications for legal practice
- sources of law (case law and legislation)
- legal terminology and classification of law
- legal writing, citation and problem solving
- reading and analysing case law
- academic and technical literacies for sourcing relevant materials
- Commonwealth and Queensland court hierarchies and jurisdiction
- the doctrine of precedent
- techniques of judicial reasoning
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active and blended approach to learning. It involves an online, self-led learning practice and live tutorials where you will learn from and collaborate with staff and your peers. Prior to tutorials, you will be supported and engaged in this unit through the delivery of live lectures and/or weekly content recordings, textbook readings (or other sources), and formative quizzes to provide you with feedback on your understanding of that topic. At key, strategic points throughout the unit, you have the option of engaging in on campus, live lectures that facilitate discussion and solidify threshold understandings of unit content and assessment requirements.
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Engagement with lectures or online content materials;
- Reading the textbook or other prescribed readings;
- Preparing answers to tutorial activities prior to the class;
- Discussions in live tutorials and/or on Canvas;
- Collaboration with peers in tutorials to share your understandings; and
- The option of consultation with staff.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students are provided with feedback to assist their learning throughout the semester. The feedback is provided through:
- the discussions in the weekly synchronous tutorials
- online discussions with peers in the asynchronous tutorial option
- the individual feedback provided on assessment, in conjunction with Criteria Referenced Assessment matrix.
- generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas for each item of assessment
- examples of, or feedback from, past student assessment, and
- the option of consultation with a member of the teaching team.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit students are graded on a scale of one to seven.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Writing and Research Skills task
You will complete the following:
(a) a short writing task, which focuses upon your ability to write correctly, clearly and succinctly, on a topic related to your study of law. Its purpose is to diagnose generic writing errors, to allow you to improve before embarking on more formal legal writing tasks. This aspect will be graded on a 'Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory' basis, meaning that either 5 marks or 0 marks will be awarded. If unsatisfactory on the first attempt, a process will be available for students to correct their errors and resubmit a second attempt.
(b) five short-answer questions which require you to use the introductory legal research skills taught in the unit. Each question will be worth 1 mark.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Take home examination
This assessment item will assess your knowledge of materials covered in weeks 1 to 7. The exam will comprise a multiple-choice quiz component (15 marks), and problem-solving questions (35 marks).
The exam will be available to complete from Friday of week 8, and due on or before Monday of week 9.
Assessment: Case analysis assignment
Acting in the role of a paralegal, you will analyse a piece of case law and explain to a partner in your firm what the material facts of the case were, the issues on appeal, how the court reached its ultimate decision and the implications of the case for your firm's practice. You may also be asked to reflect on feedback you have received to date on formative and summative assessment items you have completed in the unit.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Nil.
Weekly prescribed readings will be posted online.
Recommended text(s)
A law dictionary will be useful throughout your law course and in careers related to law. You may choose to purchase one from the bookshop, however QUT also subscribes to an online legal dictionary database which you can access at no cost.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no unusual risks in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LW36 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW38 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse, changing and global contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task
LW39 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - The role of law in achieving sustainable futures
Relates to: ULO1, Take home examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying the law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
Relates to: ULO3, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO2, Take home examination, Case analysis assignment - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Writing and Research Skills task, Case analysis assignment - Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
Relates to: ULO5, Writing and Research Skills task