LEGAL INSTITUTIONS AND METHODS
LAW1LIM
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject provides students with an introduction to the legal system in Australia and its core institutions, with a particular emphasis on courts, including the court hierarchy, the doctrine of precedent, reading and analysing cases and observation of court proceedings. The subject will require students to critically assess the differential impact that the legal system - particularly the criminal justice system - has on particular groups in society, including Indigenous Australians. The subject also covers legal methods with particular emphasis on the fundamentals of legal research and problem-solving.
School: La Trobe Law School
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Anita Mackay
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 1 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Admitted into; LBLX; LVLGE; LVLGEB; LVLUE; LVLUEB; LWLAS; LWLAT; LWLATB; LWLBUSB; LWLEE; LWLINT; LWLMC; LWLPY; LWLPYB; LWLSC; LWLSCB; LZCOML; LZCRL; LZCRLB; LWLFI; LWLF; LWLM; LWLAC; LWLBUS; LWLE; LWLA; LWLEC; LWLIR; LWLFI; LWLAC; LZCOML; LWLBUSB; LWLME;LWLPPE, LWCOML;LWLBM
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Legal Institutions and Methods | Prescribed | Mackay and Chifflet 2018 | Thomson Reuters |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic aspects and workings of Australian legal systems such as the main legal institutions and their functions as sources of legal authority
- Activities:
- Court report, online quiz, seminar activities, exam.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
02. Demonstrate comprehension of fundamental legal research methods and referencing, including an awareness of the nature of academic integrity and consequences of plagiarism
- Activities:
- Online quiz, court report
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
03. Analyse and apply case law to legal issues using appropriate legal problem-solving methodology
- Activities:
- Seminar activities, exam.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
04. Demonstrate an awareness of the social and ethical impact of the Australian legal system
- Activities:
- Seminar activities, court report, exam.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
05. Apply appropriate written communication skills
- Activities:
- Court report, exam.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Bendigo, 2019, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Anita Mackay
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via video conference.
SeminarWeek: 11 - 22
One 2.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500-word Court Report | Students are required to attend a court hearing for this assignment | 40 | 01, 02, 04, 05 |
| Online quiz (300-word equivalent) | This assignment is completed on LMS | 15 | 01, 02 |
| 2-hour final examination (2000-word equivalent) | 45 | 01, 03, 04, 05 |
Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Anita Mackay
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 11 - 22
One 2.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500-word Court Report | Students are required to attend a court hearing for this assignment | 40 | 01, 02, 04, 05 |
| Online quiz (300-word equivalent) | This assignment is completed on LMS | 15 | 01, 02 |
| 2-hour final examination (2000-word equivalent) | 45 | 01, 03, 04, 05 |
Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Pascale Chifflet
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
SeminarWeek: 32 - 43
One 2.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 32 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500-word Court Report | Students are required to attend a court hearing for this assignment | 40 | 01, 02, 04, 05 |
| Online quiz (300-word equivalent) | This assignment is completed on LMS | 15 | 01, 02 |
| 2-hour final examination (2000-word equivalent) | 45 | 01, 03, 04, 05 |