Overview
This unit provides students with an introduction to law in Australia, but with a special emphasis on pre-colonisation Indigenous Australan legal systems, and how these systems have been impacted by Western legal systems. The unit gives students a basic introduction to various types of law in contemporary Australian society, including criminal, civil and administrative law. In line with the unit's Indigenous Australian focus, there is also an emphasis on Native Title and property law, and the ways in which these may affect Indigenous Australians.
Details
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 1 - 2020
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 Non-award 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.
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
Positive feedback on Moodle content
Maintain currency of the teaching material online and be inclusive of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers and writers.
- Explain how the concept of law was created and enforced in traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait societies in comparison to the post-colonisation Western system of law.
- Critically analyse the various legal systems in Australia, and especially how they apply to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
- Apply research and note taking skills.
Not applicable.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Self Management | |||
| 2 - Communication | |||
| 3 - Information Literacy | |||
| 4 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 5 - Problem Solving | |||
| 6 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 7 - Cross-Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical Practice | |||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||||||||
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: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.armstrong@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020Module/Topic
Pre-colonisation Aboriginal and Torres Strait legal systems in Australia
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020Module/Topic
Post-colonisation Aboriginal and Torres Strait legal systems:The Constitution, the separation of power doctrine and how law is created and amended.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020Module/Topic
Citizenship, civil rights and the Constitution
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Compulsory Residential School
23 - 27 March, Building 7, CQUniversity Bundaberg Campus
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020Module/Topic
Legal area(s): Civil, criminal and administrative
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020Module/Topic
The court system: Evidence and witnesses
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020Module/Topic
Non-Teaching Week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020Module/Topic
Family law and Indigenous Australians
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020Module/Topic
Contract law
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2020Module/Topic
Native Title and property law (Part 1)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2020Module/Topic
Native Title and property law (Part 2)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2020Module/Topic
Administrative law
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2020Module/Topic
Legal accountability, negligence and duty of care
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020Module/Topic
Review of unit.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Contact Details
Coordinator: Bronwyn McFarlane
Phone: (07) 4150 7069
Email: b.mcfarlane@cqu.edu.au
Unit presentation
- 10-12 hours of study per week of self-directed study.
- Student access to the Internet, email and residential schools are recommended for this unit, with the exception of those students in correctional centres.
- Students are expected to follow a self-directed study schedule which meets the required deadlines.
Residential School
Residential School is a requirement of this unit. One Residential School will be held during the term in Week 3 (23-27 March). During this school, group work, lectures, tutorials, presentations and individual tuition will be held.
Please also confirm your attendance by emailing tep@cqu.edu.au or telephoning Suellen Thomas on 1800 651 891. Travel will be organised through Centrelink, and not TEP. If you are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, it is important that you register with Centrelink/Abstudy at the earliest opportunity. Residential travel cannot be organised until the registration process has been completed. Please note that Abstudy needs 3 weeks’ notice of your intended travel. Abstudy will confirm your registration with us and then arrange travel for you. TEP will arrange your accommodation and meals. Abstudy will notify you of your travel details and so it is important that your contact details are up to date. Contact TEP urgently if something at the last moment prevents you from attending.
Unit Website
The unit website is offered through the learning management system, Moodle. You should find this website easy to use. Consequently, you will need access to the internet. If the learning management system Moodle is temporarily unavailable when you need to submit an assessment item, you can send your assessment by email to your Unit Coordinator. Computer (including software) requirements Access to a computer is necessary. If you can regularly get to a CQUniversity campus, you can use the computers there. If you cannot get to campus, it is best to have your own computer. You may also be able to use a computer at your local Queensland Open Learning Study Centre or your local library. Internet access is necessary so you can access the unit website. Microsoft Office software is preferred. Students in correctional centres do not require computer access.
Assessment Information
Assessments for this unit should be submitted electronically through Moodle. Students are required to keep back-up copies of all assessments. Please ensure that your assessment conforms to the applicable formatting guide. To submit electronically, the assessment should be saved in a format that is compatible with Microsoft office and submitted via the Learning Management System (Moodle).
1 Written Assessment
Write an academic essay which describes the traditional law system of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and compares it with the Australian system of law. The word count for this essay is 1000-1200 words. Use these topical questions as a guide to researching and writing the essay:
- Who is responsible for making or changing the law in traditional Indigenous Australian societies?
- How is the law kept and enforced in traditional Indigenous Australian societies?
- How is law made in Australia?
- How is the law enforced in Australia – what are the mechanisms?
Week 7 Friday (1 May 2020) 12:00 pm AEST
Week 9 Friday (15 May 2020)
Academic content
- Demonstrates an understanding of the unit material relevant to the assessment task
- Evidence of research
- Demonstration of comprehension
- Relevance to the topic
Writing skills
- Logical organisation of ideas and arguments
- Accuracy and fairness in representing the views discussed
- Clarity of expression, avoidance of grammatical errors, correct use of words
- Uses the academic essay structure to logically organise and present ideas and arguments
- Meeting of the length requirements
Referencing skills
- Use of authoritative academic sources
- Acknowledgement of sources through correct in-text referencing and corresponding accurate reference list
- Uses the Harvard style of referencing
- Explain how the concept of law was created and enforced in traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait societies in comparison to the post-colonisation Western system of law.
- Critically analyse the various legal systems in Australia, and especially how they apply to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
- Apply research and note taking skills.
- Self Management
- Communication
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Cross-Cultural Competence
- Ethical Practice
2 Written Assessment
Write an academic essay on the topic of post-colonisation property rights law and Native Title law. What do we mean by traditional land rights? On what basis did the legal and court system overturn legislation to grant and recognise Native Title? The word count for this essay is 1500-2000 words. This assessment is worth 50 percent of the total grade for the unit.
Week 12 Friday (5 June 2020) 12:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (19 June 2020)
Academic content
- Demonstrates an understanding of the unit material relevant to the assessment task
- Evidence of research
- Demonstration of comprehension
- Relevance to the topic
Writing skills
- Logical organisation of ideas and arguments
- Accuracy and fairness in representing the views discussed
- Clarity of expression, avoidance of grammatical errors, correct use of words
- Uses the academic essay structure to logically organise and present ideas and arguments
- Meeting of the length requirements
Referencing skills
- Use of authoritative academic sources
- Acknowledgement of sources through correct in-text referencing and corresponding accurate reference list
- Uses the Harvard style of referencing
- Explain how the concept of law was created and enforced in traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait societies in comparison to the post-colonisation Western system of law.
- Critically analyse the various legal systems in Australia, and especially how they apply to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
- Apply research and note taking skills.
- Self Management
- Communication
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Cross-Cultural Competence
- Ethical Practice
3 Online Quiz(zes)
The task associated with this assessment item is to complete the online quizzes during the term on the unit's Moodle website. These quizzes will be available in Weeks 3, 6, 9 and 12, and each quiz will test the student's knowledge of unit material for the previous three weeks. Each quiz will consist of ten (10) questions that are randomly selected from a question bank. Each quiz will be worth 5% of the total grade for the unit and the complete assessment of four quizzes will be worth 20% of the total grade. Although marks will be given to students after each quiz, the final grade will not be shown until the end of term.
Points to note:
Students will be allowed two attempts at each quiz.
- The attempt with the highest grade will be accepted for assessment.
- There will be no time limit on quizzes.
- Students are encouraged to refer to the unit materials in order to obtain as many correct answers as possible.
- Students are encouraged to attempt every quiz to obtain the maximum number of marks.
- If students have technical problems with the quiz, they should contact the Unit Coordinator or TASAC as soon as possible.
Other
Exam Week Thursday (18 June 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (19 June 2020)
Students are marked according to the number of correct responses for each quiz
- Explain how the concept of law was created and enforced in traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait societies in comparison to the post-colonisation Western system of law.
- Critically analyse the various legal systems in Australia, and especially how they apply to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
- Self Management
- Information Technology Competence
- 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?
