Key facts

UNE unit code: LAW100

*You are viewing the 2024 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 1 - On Campus
  • Trimester 1 - Online
  • Trimester 2 - On Campus
  • Trimester 2 - Online
View all offerings
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • Yes
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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This introductory unit will help you to gain a foundation in contemporary legal knowledge, from how the legal system operates to how the law is made, and its role in our changing society.

You will learn how to find and interpret the principal sources of law as well as apply legal principles to solve problems. Additionally, you will develop your skills in planning, organising and communicating complex material.

Whether you are studying this unit as the first step towards a legal career or to broaden your general knowledge, this unit will help you to develop the knowledge and capabilities necessary to be a successful learner and valuable professional.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 1On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 1Online
Trimester 2On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 2Online
Trimester 3Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
for DipParalegStuds, AdvDipParalegStuds and BLegStuds: LSU100
Restrictions
LS100

Notes

Legal Studies unit available to all students, subject to degree rules

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Wellett Potter
Wellett PotterLecturer - School of Law
Lauren Triantafillopoulos
profile photo of Paul Sattler
Paul SattlerAssociate Lecturer - School of Law

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. interpret the principal sources of law, including statutory law and judge-made law, customary law, how the doctrine of precedent operates and the principles of statutory interpretation;
  2. apply the basic methods of legal analysis; to analyse critically legal problems, including applying relevant case law and legislation to differing contexts and a particular sets of facts;
  3. demonstrate initiative and autonomy in legal research by locating primary and secondary legal resource material;
  4. plan, organise and communicate legal advice in writing; and
  5. demonstrate an informed understanding of the Australian constitutional framework and legal system.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Assignment 1Yes40%All offerings

Written assessment

No. Words: 1500

Open Book ExaminationYes50%All offerings

Final Examination. Open Book Exam. There is a supervised exam at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit

 

QuizzesNo10%All offerings

2 quizzes 5% each

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Laying Down the Law

ISBN: 9780409357585

Hamer, D., Jones, J., O'Mara, P., Smith, B and Taylor, T., LexisNexis Butterworths 12th ed. 2023

Note: If this unit has an online supervised exam (go to Online Supervised Exams for more information) you will be permitted to refer to the e-text during the online supervised exam, only if they are on the desktop/laptop computer upon which you are sitting your exam.

Text refers to: All offerings

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.

Essential Legal Skills: A Guide for First Year Law Students

ISBN: 9780455244600

Kontra, S., Thomson Reutuers 2022

Note: If this unit has an online supervised exam (go to Online Supervised Exams for more information) you will be permitted to refer to the e-text during the online supervised exam, only if they are on the desktop/laptop computer upon which you are sitting your exam.

Text refers to: All offerings

Concise Australian Legal Dictionary

ISBN: 9780409352917

Finkelstein, R. and Hamer, D., LexisNexis Butterworths 6th ed. 2020

Note: If this unit has an online supervised exam (go to Online Supervised Exams for more information) you will be permitted to refer to the e-text during the online supervised exam, only if they are on the desktop/laptop computer upon which you are sitting your exam.

Text refers to: All offerings

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