LLB104 Contemporary Law and Justice
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: | LLB104 |
|---|---|
| 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: | LLB104 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinators: | Kat Keane | katherine.keane@qut.edu.au Bridget Lewis | b.lewis@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit provides a foundation for the development of your legal oral communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills that will be further developed in later units including LLB203 Constitutional Law, LLB204 Commercial and Personal Property Law, and LLB303 Evidence. A key emphasis of the unit is on the interaction of Australia's first peoples with the Australian legal system and introducing you to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and perspectives of law, which will be further examined in LLB106 Criminal Law, LLB301 Real Property Law, and LLB303 Evidence.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Understand and apply different theories and perspectives to analyse the impact of the law in relation to diverse issues and groups (CLO 1.2, 1.5, 2.3)
- Understand different theories of justice and evaluate the ability of law to achieve justice in different situations and make recommendations for reform (CLO 2.3)
- Understand Indigenous knowledges and perspectives of the law and critically evaluate how legal and policy issues affect Indigenous peoples in Australia (CLO 1.2, 1.5, 2.3)
- Identify and demonstrate culturally appropriate communications and behaviours (CLO 4.2)
- Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration (CLO 4.3)
- Write clearly and concisely to communicate legal concepts, critical analysis, arguments and supporting evidence (CLO 4.1)
Content
• Fundamental concepts and values of the Australian legal system
• The role of the rule of law in achieving a fair and just legal system
• Ethical and legal considerations of emerging social issues, including the emergence of new technologies
• Indigenous knowledges and perspectives and the relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with the Australian common law
• Access to justice, including for Indigenous Australians
• How the law impacts on and upholds human rights
• The relationship between the law, politics and power
• How to apply various critical theories, principles and perspectives to analyse the law and its operation in society
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active and collaborative approach to learning. It involves an online, self-led learning practice and live tutorials where you will learn from experts and your peers. Prior to live tutorials, you will be supported and engaged in this unit through weekly recordings delivered by experts and relevant real-world readings. Collaborative discussions in tutorials and on the unit Discussion Board will introduce a range of practical and theoretical perspectives
Your participation includes:
- Engagement with online materials.
- Discussions on Canvas and in live tutorials.
- Collaboration with peers and experts to network and share your understandings.
- Recorded content to explain key concepts and provide a structure for your learning.
- Weekly independent preparation for tutorials that includes reading prescribed materials and reflecting on learning activities.
- Weekly collaborative tutorials designed for you to engage in class discussion, practice skills, seek guidance and feedback on learning activities, and interact with other students. In the collaborative tutorials, you will learn the rationale for and the principles of team-based collaboration, which will provide you with authentic skills for working with legal professional teams. Through team processes, discussions and collaboration, you will be encouraged to think critically about your view of the world and the interplay of differing philosophical and cultural perspectives.
Tutorials are essential for developing your skills and preparing for your assessments, attendance either in person or online will ensure that you are able to actively apply your learning and practice your skills.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on the development of your learning and understanding of the content of the unit is provided through:
• The discussions in the interactive tutorials
• Online discussion boards
• The individual feedback provided on assessment with the completed Criteria Referenced Assessment form
• Generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas site for each item of assessment
• The option of private consultation with a member of the teaching team during student consultation hours
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, you will be graded on a scale of one to seven.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Group oral presentation
Working with a team of colleagues, you will present a critique of the law related to a topic of interest chosen by your group, using the theories, principles and concepts discussed in the unit. Your group will also present recommendations for reforms which could be implemented in your chosen area. You will be assessed on the quality of your team's presentation in terms of the structure, use of theories and alignment of recommendations to main argument. You will also be assessed on your ability to work effectively as a team.
The late submission period does not apply, and no assignment extensions are available.
Assessment: Critical Essay
Building on the research and arguments presented by your group for Assessment item 1, you will submit an individual critical essay that reviews and critiques the law using the theories, principles and concepts you have learnt in the unit.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Examination
The written examination will assess your understanding of the unit content, including relevant law, theories and principles, and cultural competency, and your ability to apply critical thinking skills to various issues.
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)
Nikolas James and Rachael Field, The New Lawyer (Wiley, 2013)
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)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO6, Critical Essay, Examination - Using effective oral, visual and other professional communication in diverse contexts
Relates to: ULO4, Group oral presentation - Collaborating with others to manage professional relationships and achieve shared goals
Relates to: ULO5, Group oral presentation
LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO6, Critical Essay, Examination - Using effective oral, visual and other professional communication in diverse contexts
Relates to: ULO4, Group oral presentation - Collaborating with others to manage professional relationships and achieve shared goals
Relates to: ULO5, Group oral presentation
LW38 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse, changing and global contexts
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: Group oral presentation, Critical Essay - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO6, Critical Essay, Examination - Using effective oral, visual or other professional communication in diverse contexts
Relates to: ULO4, Group oral presentation - Collaborating with others to manage professional relationships and achieve shared goals
Relates to: ULO5, Group oral presentation
LW39 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The role of law in achieving sustainable futures
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying the law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: Group oral presentation, Critical Essay - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Examination - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO6, Critical Essay, Examination - Using effective oral, visual and other professional communication in diverse contexts
Relates to: ULO4, Group oral presentation - Collaborating with others to manage professional relationships and achieve shared goals
Relates to: ULO5, Group oral presentation
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Online
| Unit code: | LLB104 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
This unit provides a foundation for the development of your legal oral communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills that will be further developed in later units including LLB203 Constitutional Law, LLB204 Commercial and Personal Property Law, and LLB303 Evidence. A key emphasis of the unit is on the interaction of Australia's first peoples with the Australian legal system and introducing you to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and perspectives of law, which will be further examined in LLB106 Criminal Law, LLB301 Real Property Law, and LLB303 Evidence.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Understand and apply different theories and perspectives to analyse the impact of the law in relation to diverse issues and groups (CLO 1.2, 1.5, 2.3)
- Understand different theories of justice and evaluate the ability of law to achieve justice in different situations and make recommendations for reform (CLO 2.3)
- Understand Indigenous knowledges and perspectives of the law and critically evaluate how legal and policy issues affect Indigenous peoples in Australia (CLO 1.2, 1.5, 2.3)
- Identify and demonstrate culturally appropriate communications and behaviours (CLO 4.2)
- Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration (CLO 4.3)
- Write clearly and concisely to communicate legal concepts, critical analysis, arguments and supporting evidence (CLO 4.1)
Content
• Fundamental concepts and values of the Australian legal system
• The role of the rule of law in achieving a fair and just legal system
• Ethical and legal considerations of emerging social issues, including the emergence of new technologies
• Indigenous knowledges and perspectives and the relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with the Australian common law
• Access to justice, including for Indigenous Australians
• How the law impacts on and upholds human rights
• The relationship between the law, politics and power
• How to apply various critical theories, principles and perspectives to analyse the law and its operation in society
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active and collaborative approach to learning. It involves an online, self-led learning practice and live tutorials where you will learn from experts and your peers. Prior to live tutorials, you will be supported and engaged in this unit through weekly recordings delivered by experts and relevant real-world readings. Collaborative discussions in tutorials and on the unit Discussion Board will introduce a range of practical and theoretical perspectives
Your participation includes:
- Engagement with online materials.
- Discussions on Canvas and in live tutorials.
- Collaboration with peers and experts to network and share your understandings.
- Recorded content to explain key concepts and provide a structure for your learning.
- Weekly independent preparation for tutorials that includes reading prescribed materials and reflecting on learning activities.
- Weekly collaborative tutorials designed for you to engage in class discussion, practice skills, seek guidance and feedback on learning activities, and interact with other students. In the collaborative tutorials, you will learn the rationale for and the principles of team-based collaboration, which will provide you with authentic skills for working with legal professional teams. Through team processes, discussions and collaboration, you will be encouraged to think critically about your view of the world and the interplay of differing philosophical and cultural perspectives.
Tutorials are essential for developing your skills and preparing for your assessments, attendance either in person or online will ensure that you are able to actively apply your learning and practice your skills.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on the development of your learning and understanding of the content of the unit is provided through:
• The discussions in the interactive tutorials
• Online discussion boards
• The individual feedback provided on assessment with the completed Criteria Referenced Assessment form
• Generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas site for each item of assessment
• The option of private consultation with a member of the teaching team during student consultation hours
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, you will be graded on a scale of one to seven.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Group oral presentation
Working with a team of colleagues, you will present a critique of the law related to a topic of interest chosen by your group, using the theories, principles and concepts discussed in the unit. Your group will also present recommendations for reforms which could be implemented in your chosen area. You will be assessed on the quality of your team's presentation in terms of the structure, use of theories and alignment of recommendations to main argument. You will also be assessed on your ability to work effectively as a team.
The late submission period does not apply, and no assignment extensions are available.
Assessment: Critical Essay
Building on the research and arguments presented by your group for Assessment item 1, you will submit an individual critical essay that reviews and critiques the law using the theories, principles and concepts you have learnt in the unit.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Examination
The written examination will assess your understanding of the unit content, including relevant law, theories and principles, and cultural competency, and your ability to apply critical thinking skills to various issues.
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)
Nikolas James and Rachael Field, The New Lawyer (Wiley, 2013)
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)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO6, Critical Essay, Examination - Using effective oral, visual and other professional communication in diverse contexts
Relates to: ULO4, Group oral presentation - Collaborating with others to manage professional relationships and achieve shared goals
Relates to: ULO5, Group oral presentation
LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ knowledges and perspectives of law
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO6, Critical Essay, Examination - Using effective oral, visual and other professional communication in diverse contexts
Relates to: ULO4, Group oral presentation - Collaborating with others to manage professional relationships and achieve shared goals
Relates to: ULO5, Group oral presentation
LW38 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse, changing and global contexts
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: Group oral presentation, Critical Essay - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO6, Critical Essay, Examination - Using effective oral, visual or other professional communication in diverse contexts
Relates to: ULO4, Group oral presentation - Collaborating with others to manage professional relationships and achieve shared goals
Relates to: ULO5, Group oral presentation
LW39 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ perspectives on law and the legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - The role of law in achieving sustainable futures
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Group oral presentation, Critical Essay, Examination - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying the law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: Group oral presentation, Critical Essay - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Examination - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO6, Critical Essay, Examination - Using effective oral, visual and other professional communication in diverse contexts
Relates to: ULO4, Group oral presentation - Collaborating with others to manage professional relationships and achieve shared goals
Relates to: ULO5, Group oral presentation