Constitutional Law (11274.1)

This unit will provide students with an understanding of the principles of Commonwealth constitutional law. The unit examines the operation of the Constitution in its social and political context. Students will gain familiarity with the composition of Parliament; the relationship between the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary; the legal and political relationship between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories; the implications of constitutional doctrine for the rights of individuals; the significance of the Constitution for Indigenous Australians; and current debates on constitutional reform.

This unit may be co-taught with a G version of the unit.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Explain and evaluate Australia's adherence to fundamental constitutional principles including federalism, the rule of law, separation of powers, representative and responsible government through class discussion, quizzes, and persuasive writing tasks;
2. Explain the historical background of the Constitution and assess competing theories of constitutional interpretation through group activities;
3. Apply distinctive methods of constitutional interpretation through group activities and a written problem-solving task to determine the constitutional validity of Commonwealth, State or Territory laws; and
4. Analyse the role of the Constitution and public institutions in Australia's social and political landscape through group activities and a persuasive research and writing task, including the special role of the courts, the utility of express and implied rights in the Constitution, and the potential for Indigenous reconciliation.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
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 - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
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 - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

This unit is only available for students in a Bachelor of Laws course.

Students must have successfully completed 11251 Foundations of Law and Justice.

Corequisites

None.

Equivalent units

7022 Constitutional Law

Assumed knowledge

None.