CQUniversity Unit Profile
LAWS11057 Introduction to Law
Introduction to Law
All details in this unit profile for LAWS11057 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit introduces you to the study of law by examining the history out of which our law developed and examining how the law responds to the socio-legal conditions of our time. It provides you with an awareness of the institutions which are created by the law and how those institutions shape the development of the law. You will be introduced to the notion of legal reasoning: distinguishing the 'dicta' and 'obiter' of cases, precedent theory, case analysis, following and distinguishing precedent; as well as distinguishing between primary and delegated legislation. This unit introduces you to legal discourse and the conventions of the discipline which will provide a foundation for study in more advanced units.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 3 - 2020

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Portfolio
Weighting: 20%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student Feedback and Self-Reflection

Feedback

Streamline assessment requirements, reducing the number of different systems and elements required to complete assessment tasks.

Recommendation

Simplify assessment requirements, particularly in the first assessment task, to support the onboarding process for students.

Feedback from Student Feedback and Self-Reflection

Feedback

More individualised feedback for all assessments would be helpful.

Recommendation

Provide individualised feedback for all assessments.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Describe and discuss the rule of law, the nature of the Australian legal system and ethical responsibility
  2. Explain how the law is made and developed in Australia
  3. Demonstrate basic skills in legal research and writing using appropriate referencing standards
  4. Develop basic skills in critical legal thinking, reasoning and reflection.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Portfolio - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 40%
3 - Written Assessment - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Portfolio - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 40%
3 - Written Assessment - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

The New Lawyer

(2019)
Authors: Nickolas James, Rachael Field and Jackson Walkden-Brown
Wiley
ISBN: 9780730363507
Binding: Paperback

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Zoom
  • Microsoft Teams
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 4th ed

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Nichola Corbett-Jarvis Unit Coordinator
n.corbett-jarvis@cqu.edu.au
AJ George Unit Coordinator
a.m.george@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Introduction to the Course, Law and Lawyers Begin Date: 09 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Life of a Lawyer, Fundamental Legal Concepts, Legal History in Australia

Chapter

The New Lawyer: Chapters 1, 2 and 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 The Australian Legal System Begin Date: 16 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

The Australian Legal System

Chapter

The New Lawyer: Chapter 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Legislation and Common Law Begin Date: 23 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Sources of Law in Australia

Chapter

The New Lawyer: Chapter 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Interpreting the Law Begin Date: 30 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Reading and Interpreting Cases, Statutes and Contracts

Chapter

The New Lawyer: Chapter 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Portfolio Due: Week 4 Thursday (3 Dec 2020) 6:00 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 07 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Legal Research Begin Date: 14 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Legal Research Skills

Chapter

The New Lawyer: Chapter 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Legal Thinking Begin Date: 21 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Legal Thinking

Chapter

The New Lawyer: Chapter 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 28 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Communication Skills Begin Date: 04 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Communication Skills

Chapter

The New Lawyer: Chapter 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Law in Context Begin Date: 11 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Theories of Law and Justice

Chapter

The New Lawyer: Chapter 11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Access to Justice Begin Date: 18 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Access to Justice

Chapter

The New Lawyer: Chapter 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Problem-Solving Exercise Due: Week 9 Friday (22 Jan 2021) 6:00 pm AEST
Week 10 Professional Ethical Behaviour Begin Date: 25 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Professional Ethical Behaviour

Chapter

The New Lawyer: Chapter 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Self-Management Begin Date: 01 Feb 2021

Module/Topic

Self-Management

Chapter

The New Lawyer: Chapters 10 and 14

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Revision and Next Steps Begin Date: 08 Feb 2021

Module/Topic

Review and Looking Ahead

Chapter

No prescribed reading this week

Events and Submissions/Topic

Short Essay Paper Due: Week 12 Thursday (11 Feb 2021) 6:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Feb 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

 

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Portfolio

Task Description

You must create a professional portfolio, based on the guide provided. This portfolio will include the following elements, each of which is worth a full 5%:

  • A professional portfolio based on the template provided;

  • Details of three to five core capabilities, curated with supporting evidence;

  • The certificate of completion for the iChange orientation program; and

  • A link to a video of 2-5 minutes in which you discuss your ethos.


The iChange program is available at: https://www.cqu.edu.au/industry-and-partnerships/engagement/social-innovation/ichange


Assessment Due Date

Week 4 Thursday (3 Dec 2020) 6:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Results will be released within two weeks.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

You will receive a full 5% for each element completed satisfactorily.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe and discuss the rule of law, the nature of the Australian legal system and ethical responsibility
  • Develop basic skills in critical legal thinking, reasoning and reflection.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Problem-Solving Exercise

Task Description

You must analyse a legal problem, conduct any necessary legal research and present your advice to the character(s) in the problem scenario. In addition, you must reflect on your thinking and work process, describe your problem-solving process, and explain the decisions you made to reach your conclusions.

Word limit: 1,500 words.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (22 Jan 2021) 6:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

We will endeavour to release results within two weeks of the due date.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

  • Identification of legal issues
  • Ability to analyse the law
  • Ability to apply the law to a factual scenario
  • Demonstration of problem-solving method and ability to reflect on the process
  • Effective communication and referencing

A criteria rubric is available on Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe and discuss the rule of law, the nature of the Australian legal system and ethical responsibility
  • Explain how the law is made and developed in Australia
  • Demonstrate basic skills in legal research and writing using appropriate referencing standards
  • Develop basic skills in critical legal thinking, reasoning and reflection.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Short Essay Paper

Task Description

You must answer two questions, each worth 20% of your final mark. The questions will be based on topics discussed in the weekly workshops from Modules 2 to 10.

Word Limit: 1,500 words.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Thursday (11 Feb 2021) 6:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

We will endeavour to provide feedback within 2 weeks of the due date


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

  • Analysis of legal issues
  • Explanation of the law and citation of suitable sources
  • Critical thinking
  • Effective communication and referencing

A criteria rubric is available on Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe and discuss the rule of law, the nature of the Australian legal system and ethical responsibility
  • Explain how the law is made and developed in Australia
  • Demonstrate basic skills in legal research and writing using appropriate referencing standards
  • Develop basic skills in critical legal thinking, reasoning and reflection.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?