Foundations of Law and Justice (11251.2)

Please note these are the 2028 details for this unit
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Foundations of Law and Justice
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
Online real-time
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.25 6 Faculty Of Business, Government & Law
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Canberra Law School Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
Band 5 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit does two things. It examines law as a system, with particular relevance to Australia. We cover the concept of law itself; the common law tradition; the Australian Constitution; other sources of law; the reception of English law in Australia, including the ramifications of this for First Nations Australians then and now; the practice of law; and critical perspectives on the law. The unit also enhances students' skills as budding law and justice practitioners. It covers how to find the law, including its various sources; legal problem solving; statutory interpretation; the arguing of law; and writing legal materials.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify the personal skills, capabilities and knowledge necessary to meet the work standards expected by law and justice professionals in the workplace;
2. Explain and analyse the historical foundations and contemporary roles of Australian legal systems and institutions, including in various social and cultural contexts;
3. Develop an understanding for First Nations realities, including those that arise through the legal system, and develop cultural competence;
4. Identify, research, interpret and apply sources of law, including cases and legislation, as well as secondary sources;
5. Undertake legal reasoning to devise solutions to legal problems; and
6. Communicate the findings of legal research and analysis, in writing and orally, for a range of audiences and purposes.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - use Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

11431 Foundations of Law and Justice G

Equivalent units

6601 Legal Methods and Skills 6602 Legal Systems

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2027, 2028 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Alison McLennan
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Online real-time Dr Alison McLennan
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Ms Katherine Lindsay
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Online real-time Ms Katherine Lindsay
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 15 February 2027 On-campus Dr Alison McLennan
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 15 February 2027 Online real-time Dr Alison McLennan
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 09 August 2027 On-campus Dr Alison McLennan
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 09 August 2027 Online real-time Dr Alison McLennan
2028 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 14 February 2028 Online real-time Dr Alison McLennan
2028 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 14 February 2028 On-campus Dr Alison McLennan
2028 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 07 August 2028 Online real-time Dr Alison McLennan
2028 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 07 August 2028 On-campus Dr Alison McLennan
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

  • David Hamer, Judith Jones, Patrick O'Mara, Belinda Smith and Tristan Taylor, Laying Down the Law (Lexis Nexis, 12th ed, 2024)

Students are strongly encouraged to purchase the text. It is essential to succeed in the unit. You may be able to buy a second-hand copy online or from another student.

The library has a small number of copies available for temporary loan and also a subscription that allows up to three users at a time to view the online version. 

  • Melbourne University Law Review Association, Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association, 4th ed, 2018)

You are encouraged to  purchase a hard copy of AGLC4 which will be used throughout your law degree.

 A PDF version is available to download for free from Melbourne University here: https://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/3181325/AGLC4-with-Bookmarks-1.pdf

Other readings and resources for this unit will be available through the UCLearn page.

 

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Extensions

Extension requests should be submitted via the Assignment Extension Request Drop Box on Canvas (not via email). Complete the Assignment Extension Form available from the Student Forms page and upload this to the Drop Box with the required documentation.
Please note that extension requests will only be considered if they comply with the UC Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedures. In particular, all requests must be made within the required timeframe and be accompanied by the required documentation.

Artificial Intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit, except for Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.

You are not permitted to use GenAI in any part of your Legal Problem Solving exercise using IRAC method, the Short Law Reform submission or the Moot Written Submissions. This includes generating, drafting, restructuring, editing, or polishing work, as well as using GenAI to summarise readings. Submitting assignment content produced or refined by GenAI will be treated as a breach of academic integrity.

You may still use standard spelling and grammar checkers and Studiosity  (e.g. the basic checker built into Word), but not tools that rewrite or generate text (e.g. ChatGPT, Copilot).  

Disclosure

If you have used Studiosity in the preparation of assignment, please acknowledge this in the first footnote.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

Expectations of students include the following:

  • You are responsible for managing your academic progress and working to achieve the unit learning outcomes.

  • You are expected to be familiar with information relevant to your units and course as per the information made available to you. This includes the Unit Outline, Canvas site, assignment instructions and academic integrity requirements.

  • You have a responsibility to participate actively and positively in the teaching-learning process and comply with the requirements of your course.

  • You are required to treat all University staff and fellow students with respect and courtesy in all interactions and communications.

See Student Charter for more information.

Participation requirements

Students are strongly encouraged to attend lectures and tutorials. There is a direct correlation between attendance/participation and the quality of your unit outcome.

Required IT skills

This unit may involve the option to attend online tutorials in real-time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate with your lecturer and other students in real-time. You will need a microphone to participate verbally rather than just typing. For the best audio quality, we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, visit the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

In-unit costs

Not applicable

Work placement, internships or practicums

None, however, students are encouraged to attend court for exposure to real-life proceedings and develop an early understanding of court processes.

Next step

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