CQUniversity Unit Profile
LAWS12065 Foundations of Property Law
Foundations of Property Law
All details in this unit profile for LAWS12065 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

LAWS12065 Foundations of Property Law introduces students to the law of real and personal property in Australia. Topics will include: (1) real property and land law, including land registration, e-conveyancing, interests in land, native title, dispositions, the doctrine of estates, adverse possession and the doctrine of fixtures; and (2) personal property law, including interests in personal property and the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth).

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisite: 24 credit points of law units  

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 1 - 2024

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. Group Discussion
Weighting: 10%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Online Test
Weighting: 60%

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 SUTE

Feedback

Consider having the final assessment in the exam period not in week 12

Recommendation

This will be reviewed

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

Consider having a final assessment that is longer than 2 hours

Recommendation

This will be reviewed

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

The online quiz was unusual and not something many students have done before

Recommendation

Consider providing students with a sample formative quiz for them to attempt in the lead up to the exam

Feedback from Student feedback, unit coordinator reflection

Feedback

The negotiation exercise was very time-consuming for students to complete.

Recommendation

The assessment will be reviewed in an attempt to make it more efficient

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Examine the characteristics of, and the differences between, real property and personal property in Australian law
  2. Explain and apply Australian legislation and/or common law to advise on property law issues
  3. Communicate in a professional and persuasive manner both orally and in writing
  4. Work individually and collaboratively in an effective manner to negotiate a suitable outcome in accordance with a client’s instructions
  5. Examine property law issues relevant to social innovation (such as personal property and technology, e-conveyancing, and/or blockchain).
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 5
1 - Group Discussion - 10%
2 - Practical Assessment - 30%
3 - Online Test - 60%

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
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

LexisNexis Questions and Answers: Property Law, 4th edition

Edition: 4 (2020)
Authors: Laura-Leigh Cameron-Dow and Francina Cantatore
Lexis Nexis
Chatswood Chatswood , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780409351958
Binding: Paperback
Prescribed

Sackville & Neave Australian Property Law, 11th edition

Edition: 11th (2021)
Authors: Brendan Edgeworth, Chris Rossiter, Pamela O'Connor, Andrew Godwin, Leon Terrill
Lexis Nexis
Chatswood Chatswood , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780409352092
Binding: Paperback

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Microphone and camera for use with Zoom
  • Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
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
Angelo Capuano Unit Coordinator
a.capuano@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 - Introduction to the Unit, Legal Skills and Negotiation Begin Date: 04 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Readings and materials in Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 - Introduction to Property and the Law Begin Date: 11 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Brendan Edgeworth, Chris Rossiter, Pamela O’Connor, Andrew Godwin and Leon Terrill, Sackville & Neave Australian Property Law (11th ed, 2021, LexisNexis), pp 1-55

Laura-Leigh Cameron-Dow and Francina Cantatore, LexisNexis Questions and Answers: Property Law (4th ed, 2020, Lexis Nexis), ch 1

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 - Land, Part I: Possession Begin Date: 18 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Brendan Edgeworth, Chris Rossiter, Pamela O’Connor, Andrew Godwin and Leon Terrill, Sackville & Neave Australian Property Law (11th ed, 2021, LexisNexis), 99-134

Laura-Leigh Cameron-Dow and Francina Cantatore, LexisNexis Questions and Answers: Property Law (4th ed, 2020, Lexis Nexis), ch 11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 - Land, Part II: Alienability Begin Date: 25 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Brendan Edgeworth, Chris Rossiter, Pamela O’Connor, Andrew Godwin and Leon Terrill, Sackville & Neave Australian Property Law (11th ed, 2021, LexisNexis), 561-608

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 - Land, Part III: Fixtures Begin Date: 01 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Brendan Edgeworth, Chris Rossiter, Pamela O’Connor, Andrew Godwin and Leon Terrill, Sackville & Neave Australian Property Law (11th ed, 2021, LexisNexis), 56-76

Laura-Leigh Cameron-Dow and Francina Cantatore, LexisNexis Questions and Answers: Property Law (4th ed, 2020, Lexis Nexis), ch 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 08 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 - Assessment 2: Practical Assessment Begin Date: 15 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 - Personal Property Begin Date: 22 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Brendan Edgeworth, Chris Rossiter, Pamela O’Connor, Andrew Godwin and Leon Terrill, Sackville & Neave Australian Property Law (11th ed, 2021, LexisNexis), 79-98, 919-923

Laura-Leigh Cameron-Dow and Francina Cantatore, LexisNexis Questions and Answers: Property Law (4th ed, 2020, Lexis Nexis), ch 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Negotiation exercise Due: Week 7 Friday (26 Apr 2024) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 8 - Native Title, Part I: History, Colonisation and the Development of Land Rights and Native Title Begin Date: 29 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Brendan Edgeworth, Chris Rossiter, Pamela O’Connor, Andrew Godwin and Leon Terrill, Sackville & Neave Australian Property Law (11th ed, 2021, LexisNexis), 162-170

Mabo and Others v Queensland (No. 2) (1992) 175 CLR 1

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 - Native Title, Part II: Establishing Native Title, Extinguishment and Determinations of Native Title Begin Date: 06 May 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Brendan Edgeworth, Chris Rossiter, Pamela O’Connor, Andrew Godwin and Leon Terrill, Sackville & Neave Australian Property Law (11th ed, 2021, LexisNexis), 170-201

Laura-Leigh Cameron-Dow and Francina Cantatore, LexisNexis Questions and Answers: Property Law (4th ed, 2020, Lexis Nexis), ch 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Group Discussion Due: Week 9 Friday (10 May 2024) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 10 - Technology and Property Law: Current Issues Begin Date: 13 May 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Brendan Grigg, 'Transaction Technologies and Property Law' (Report, Centre for Professional Legal Education, Bond University, September 2022). 

Brendan Edgeworth, Chris Rossiter, Pamela O’Connor, Andrew Godwin and Leon Terrill, Sackville & Neave Australian Property Law (11th ed, 2021, LexisNexis), 364-365

Halsbury’s Laws of Australia, [355-8036]

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 - Intellectual Property: Copyright, Trade-marks and Patents Begin Date: 20 May 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Halsbury's Laws of Australia, [240-1500] - [240-3310], [240-4998] - [240-5035], [240-8000] - [240-8080]

Isabella Alexander, ‘The Aboriginal flag is now ‘freely available for public use’. What does this mean from a legal standpoint?’ (The Conversation, 28 January 2022) < https://theconversation.com/the-aboriginal-flag-is-now-freely-available-for-public-use-what-does-this-mean-from-a-legal-standpoint-175626>

Nicola St John and Emrhan Sultan, ‘Labelling ‘fake art’ isn’t enough. Australia needs to recognise and protect First Nations cultural and intellectual property’ (The Conversation, 26 July 2022) <https://theconversation.com/labelling-fake-art-isnt-enough-australia-needs-to-recognise-and-protect-first-nations-cultural-and-intellectual-property-187426>

Jemima Burt, ‘Non-Indigenous business fails in bid to trademark Aboriginal bush medicine’ (ABC News, 24 January 2020) <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-24/gumby-gumby-trademark-fails/11890218>

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 - Practice Online Test Begin Date: 27 May 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 03 Jun 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Jun 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Group Discussion

Assessment Title
Group Discussion

Task Description

This task is completed in groups of 4. The group will comprise of you, your team member from the negotiation exercise (assessment 2), and another pair of students (students will need to form groups as per the instructions in Moodle). In this group, you will critically reflect on your negotiation task, and share where you think you could have improved and where you think you performed well.

Each group member must individually submit a document which: (1) explains what they learned from the negotiation exercise personally through engaging in self-reflection; and (2) comment on what they learned from another group member's reflection in the group discussion. 

 


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (10 May 2024) 4:00 pm AEST

Submission online via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (24 May 2024)

Online via Moodle


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

Marks are awarded based on the quality of your self-reflection and analysis of a group's member's self-reflection. It is insufficient to merely describe the group discussion, and such descriptions or unconstructive comments will receive low marks. You are expected to engage in reflection and analysis. 

Detailed instructions and a marking rubric will be provided on Moodle. 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission is online via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Communicate in a professional and persuasive manner both orally and in writing
  • Work individually and collaboratively in an effective manner to negotiate a suitable outcome in accordance with a client’s instructions

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Negotiation exercise

Task Description

In this task, students will be required to engage in a negotiation concerning a fictitious set of facts. Students will form groups of two and then arrange to engage in a negotiation with another group. The negotiation will be through Zoom and recorded by the students. Each student must submit: (1) the recording of their negotiation; and (2) a written piece of work supplementing the negotiation. The recording must capture both video and audio, and it must be clear. Cameras must be kept on at all times.  

Detailed instructions and a marking rubric will be provided on Moodle. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Friday (26 Apr 2024) 4:00 pm AEST

Online via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Friday (10 May 2024)


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

  • Ability to identify issues
  • Demonstrated understanding of law and legal principles
  • Ability to apply law and legal principles
  • Ability to reach conclusions based on legal reasoning
  • Ability to communicate clearly, persuasively and professionally, both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to work individually and collaboratively in an effective manner to negotiate a suitable outcome in accordance with a client’s instructions


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission is online via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Examine the characteristics of, and the differences between, real property and personal property in Australian law
  • Explain and apply Australian legislation and/or common law to advise on property law issues
  • Communicate in a professional and persuasive manner both orally and in writing
  • Work individually and collaboratively in an effective manner to negotiate a suitable outcome in accordance with a client’s instructions
  • Examine property law issues relevant to social innovation (such as personal property and technology, e-conveyancing, and/or blockchain).

3 Online Test

Assessment Title
Online test

Task Description

Students will be required to answer a combination of multiple choice, short answer and problem questions concerning a number of topics covered in the unit. The online test will be 3 hours in duration and it will be held at a date and time to be set by the unit coordinator. 


Assessment Due Date

Date to be set by the unit coordinator


Return Date to Students

Marks will be made available after certification of grades


Weighting
60%

Assessment Criteria

Multiple choice questions: 
  • Understanding of real property and personal property concepts 
  • Understanding of law and legal principles 

Short answer questions: 

  • Understanding of real property and personal property concepts 
  • Understanding of law and legal principles 
  • Ability to explain concepts, laws and legal principles 
  • Ability to communicate in writing clearly, succinctly and professionally

Problem questions: 

  • Ability to identity legal issues  
  • Ability to identify most relevant law 
  • Demonstrated understanding of law and legal principles 
  • Ability to apply law 
  • Ability to reach a conclusion and advise based on application of law


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The online test will be made available through Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Examine the characteristics of, and the differences between, real property and personal property in Australian law
  • Explain and apply Australian legislation and/or common law to advise on property law issues
  • Communicate in a professional and persuasive manner both orally and in writing
  • Examine property law issues relevant to social innovation (such as personal property and technology, e-conveyancing, and/or blockchain).

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?