Overview
In this unit you will examine law and policy related to human obligations to non-human animals in Australia. The assessment structure and unit content emphasises the development of critical thinking skills through scholarly engagement with contemporary policy and law reform debates. You will develop research skills in an area of your choosing within the scope of the topics examined. You will also be supported to reflect on and articulate reasoned positions in relation to a range of legal, regulatory, and ethical questions raised by animal protection and the law. Module One considers the history of animal law and the role of ethics, science, ideology and politics in shaping animal law and policy in Australia. Module Two explores animal law as framed by two concepts: animal welfare and animal cruelty. It examines the integration of these concepts into legislative and regulatory regimes, and animal law and policy reform. Module Three involves a weekly focus on a specific area of animal law: farmed animals, companion animals, wildlife, animals as ‘pests’, animals used in scientific research, and animals used in sport and entertainment. The unit fosters a global perspective by reflecting on relevant international law and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Co-requsite: LAWS11057 Introduction to Law.
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 - 2021
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).
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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Identify and discuss the various ethical perspectives, scientific and international developments, and politics shaping contemporary animal law and policy in Australia
- Identify and explain federal and state responsibilities for law and policy relating to animal protection
- Critically analyse the legal status of animals and their protection under anti-cruelty statutes and animal welfare regulations, drawing on case law, legislation, and relevant scholarly sources
- Develop a research question and undertake a suitable research project on one of the specific areas of animal law examined in this unit, drawing on reputable legal and inter-disciplinary sources and knowledge
- Demonstrate appropriate communication skills and present persuasive arguments on animal law issues.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Online discussion forum - 10% | |||||
| 2 - Research Assignment - 40% | |||||
| 3 - Take Home Exam - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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 - Online discussion forum - 10% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Research Assignment - 40% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Take Home Exam - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 4th ed
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.mcewan@cqu.edu.au
j.deem@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Animal Law
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom session Monday 7-8pm (Qld time)
Module/Topic
Moral and Legal Status of Animals
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom session Monday 7-8pm (Qld time)
Module/Topic
Australia’s Animal Protection Framework
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom session Monday 7-8pm (Qld time)
Module/Topic
Animal Law and Policy Reform
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom session Monday 7-8pm (Qld time)
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Animal Welfare Law and Farmed Animals
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom session Monday 7-8pm (Qld time)
Online Discussion Forum Due: Week 5 Monday (13 Dec 2021) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Reflection, Revision and Animal Law Research
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Two hour workshop - Monday 7-9pm (Qld time).
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Companion Animals and the Law
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Monday 3rd January 2022 is a public holiday. Alternative Zoom session date and time to be advised.
Module/Topic
Wild Animals and the Law
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom session Monday 7-8pm (Qld time)
Research Paper Due: Week 8 Friday (14 Jan 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Animals Classified as ‘Pests’
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom session Monday 7-8pm (Qld time)
Module/Topic
The Use of Animals in Research and Teaching
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom session Monday 7-8pm (Qld time)
Module/Topic
The Use of Animals in Sport and Recreation
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom session Monday 7-8pm (Qld time)
Module/Topic
Revison
Chapter
See Moodle for Revision week activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Revision workshop Monday 7-9pm (Qld time)
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
My contact details are as follows:
Email: a.mcewan@cqu.edu.au
CONSULTATION HOURS: I am generally available for consultation on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12 noon (Eastern Standard Time).
The best way to contact me is by email. I check my emails regularly and will get back to you to arrange a time to talk.
I am located on the Melbourne campus. If you live in or visit Melbourne you are welcome to contact me to arrange a time to meet in person. I am also available at other times (by phone or in person) subject to prior arrangement. I welcome your feedback and suggestions.
1 Online discussion forum
This assessment requires students to make a total of two posts to the assessment discussion forums set up on Moodle specifically for this purpose.
Students will choose from the selection of questions and topics based on unit content from weeks one, two, and three.
Students are required to enter one post in two forums: a total of two posts.
Post One: Each student will make an original post responding to one of the set questions or topics.
Post Two: Each student will make a post responding to another student’s original post, under a different topic.
The word limit for each post is 200 words, excluding footnotes. There is a word minimum of 150 words for each post.
Each post is worth 5 marks with a total of 10 marks.
The assignment is worth 10% of the total unit mark and will be marked according to assessment criteria.
After making the two posts, students must submit their posts under headings 'original' and 'reply' in a single Word document via the usual Moodle assignment submission processes.
Week 5 Monday (13 Dec 2021) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 7 Thursday (6 Jan 2022)
Each post will be marked according to assessment criteria focusing on:
· effective use of sources, including referencing, and quality of argument;
· contribution to a community of learning;
· critical reflection and communication skills, including adherence to word count.
- Identify and discuss the various ethical perspectives, scientific and international developments, and politics shaping contemporary animal law and policy in Australia
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Research Assignment
In this assessment, students will write a research paper on an area of animal law, drawing on reputable legal and inter-disciplinary sources and knowledge.
The assessment will focus on the development of legal and multidisciplinary research, academic writing and critical thinking skills. It will allow students to gain a more in-depth understanding of an area of their interest relating to the unit content, within the scope of options defined by the unit coordinator.
The word limit for research paper is 2000 words, excluding footnotes. The 2000 word limit will include a 150 word abstract.
The assignment is worth 40% of the total unit mark and will be marked according to assessment criteria.
Week 8 Friday (14 Jan 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 10 Thursday (27 Jan 2022)
The research paper will be marked according to assessment criteria focusing on:
- Quality and persuasiveness of argument;
- Effective use of sources on an animal law issue;
- Evidence of independent research and critical thinking;
- Written communication skills, referencing, and structure of paper.
An assessment criteria sheet for the Research Paper will be uploaded to Moodle.
- Identify and explain federal and state responsibilities for law and policy relating to animal protection
- Critically analyse the legal status of animals and their protection under anti-cruelty statutes and animal welfare regulations, drawing on case law, legislation, and relevant scholarly sources
- Develop a research question and undertake a suitable research project on one of the specific areas of animal law examined in this unit, drawing on reputable legal and inter-disciplinary sources and knowledge
- Demonstrate appropriate communication skills and present persuasive arguments on animal law issues.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
3 Take Home Exam
The Take Home Exam will comprise five short answer questions.
Each question is worth 10 marks. All questions are compulsory.
The Take-Home Exam will take place during the term 3 exam period on a date to be advised. The exam is 6 hours duration only.
Submissions after the deadline has passed will not be accepted.
Failure to submit by the deadline will result in a mark of zero for this assessment as the paper will not be marked.
Extensions are not available for this take home paper.
Exam conditions apply to all take home exams.
Students must not work with, assist, receive assistance from, copy from, discuss or share their work with other students.
Where a student uses another’s work or idea, they must acknowledge the source of that work or idea and indicate where the text is a direct quote from the original source.
The take home exam will take place during the Term 3 2021 exam period. The date and time of the take home exam is to be confirmed.
The take-home exam will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- Understanding of animal welfare laws and related regulatory systems in Australia, and in an international context.
- Demonstrates problem solving skills in the context of animal law.
- Demonstrates understanding of ethical dimensions of animal law.
- Written expression, acknowledgement of sources and academic integrity.
- Identify and discuss the various ethical perspectives, scientific and international developments, and politics shaping contemporary animal law and policy in Australia
- Identify and explain federal and state responsibilities for law and policy relating to animal protection
- Critically analyse the legal status of animals and their protection under anti-cruelty statutes and animal welfare regulations, drawing on case law, legislation, and relevant scholarly sources
- Demonstrate appropriate communication skills and present persuasive arguments on animal law issues.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Cross Cultural Competence
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?
