INTRODUCTION TO THE AUSTRALIAN LEGAL SYSTEM

LCR1ALS

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject is a critical introduction to the Australian legal system that addresses the operation, aims, and institutions of criminal justice. It equips students with foundational knowledge of the operation of criminal justice and how the legal system addresses basic questions of criminological and sociological importance. The subject addressees the relationship between crime and law in Australia; the making of laws by the Parliament and Courts; venues and methods of legal adjudication and interpretation; and the complex interactions between actors that comprise the legal system, including lawyers, police, magistrates and the media. The sustainability of the legal system is evaluated in its historical, ethical, economic and social context.

School: La Trobe Law School (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Tom Andrews

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 1 - UG

Exchange Students: No

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: N/A

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: LAW1LIM

Equivalent subjects: LAW1LIM

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Describe the structure of the Australian legal system

02. Explain the roles and functions of Australian legal institutions and actors

03. Demonstrate an understanding of the process by which law is created, interpreted and applied, and how the rule of law is sustained through that process.

04. Examine and critique arguments for changes to the criminal justice process, including the application of theories of restorative and therapeutic justice

05. Identify and examine interplays between the social and legal pillars of institutional and systemic sustainability, and the implications for decision-making in criminal justice.

Bendigo, 2020, Semester 1, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Tom Andrews

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.00 hour lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via video conference.

SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.00 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	ILO*
Quizzes (350 words)LMS administered multiple choice quizzes, two quizzes during semester.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3
Essay (1200 words)Students are required to attend a court hearing for this assessment	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	40	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5
Examination (2000 words)Centrally administered, closed book examination	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	50	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 1, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Tom Andrews

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.00 hour lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.

SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.00 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	ILO*
Quizzes (350 words)LMS administered multiple choice quizzes, two quizzes during semester.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3
Essay (1200 words)Students are required to attend a court hearing for this assessment	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	40	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5
Examination (2000 words)Centrally administered, closed book examination	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	50	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5

Bendigo, 2020, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Tom Andrews

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.00 hour lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via video conference.

SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.00 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	ILO*
Quizzes (350 words)LMS administered multiple choice quizzes, two quizzes during semester.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3
Essay (1200 words)Students are required to attend a court hearing for this assessment	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	40	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5
Examination (2000 words)Centrally administered, closed book examination	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	50	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Tom Andrews

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.00 hour lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.00 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	ILO*
Quizzes (350 words)LMS administered multiple choice quizzes, two quizzes during semester.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3
Essay (1200 words)Students are required to attend a court hearing for this assessment	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	40	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5
Examination (2000 words)Centrally administered, closed book examination	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	50	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5