Torts Law (11278.2)
Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
---|---|---|
View teaching periods | On-campus Online real-time |
Bruce, Canberra |
EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
0.125 | 3 | 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) |
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Understand the wide range of areas of human activity in which tort law applies by means of negligence and other torts, such as trespass, defamation and nuisance;
2. Apply the principles of risk, content, tort, vicarious and concurrent liability, defences and assessment of damages found in the common law and legislation to practical problems;
3. Identify: - the policy issues associated with balancing the interests of the parties to torts actions as well as the broader social implications for torts, and - the nature and effect of tort reform; and
4. Reflect on the suitability of tort law, its development, reform and the related legislative compensation schemes.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. 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
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
Skills development
The law of torts is one of the most dynamic and diverse areas of law. Contemporary tort law is focused on the redistribution of losses and vindication of rights when one party has suffered harm due to another's conduct. Tort serves multiple functions in Australia: it provides compensation to injured parties, deters socially undesirable behaviours and defines acceptable standards of conduct, and articulates fundamental values regarding personal security, property and dignity. The twenty-first century presents distinctive challenges for historical tort doctrines. Tort has had to adapt to technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, and social media platforms, reforming the defamation and privacy torts. Similarly, climate change raises novel questions about causation and duties of care. These evolving contexts and recent legislative reforms show the dynamic nature of torts, preserving essential principles of justice and accountability, while adapting to an increasingly complex society.
Prerequisites
11251 Foundations of Law and JusticeCorequisites
This unit is only available to students in a Bachelor of Laws course.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
7042 Law of ObligationsAssumed knowledge
None.Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 28 July 2025 | On-campus | Ms Tess Rooney |
2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 28 July 2025 | Online real-time | Ms Tess Rooney |
2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 | On-campus | Ms Tess Rooney |
2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 | Online real-time | Ms Tess Rooney |
Required texts
Required texts
Martin Davies, Ian Malkin and Tania Voon, Focus: Torts (LexisNexis, 10th, 2024)
Recommended texts
I have not set a case book as a mandatory text. Students will need to review Torts cases as we progress through the unit. I prefer Carolyn Sappideen, Prue Vines and Penelope Watson,Torts: Commentary and Materials (Thomson Reuters, 13th, 2021).
The Australian Guide to Legal Citation, Fourth Edition (ALGC4) is the required referencing system for this unit - and law school and the profession more broadly - a hard copy is available at https://law.unimelb.edu.au/mulr/aglc/about
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
Please note that Torts is a cumulative subject. Understanding needs to be developed week by week. Students who take that strategy are much more likely to be successful in the unit.
Participation requirements
None.
Required IT skills
None
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
- Semester 2, 2025, Online real-time, UC - Canberra, Bruce (228141)
- Semester 2, 2025, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (226285)
- Semester 2, 2024, Flexible, UC - Canberra, Bruce (219533)
- Semester 2, 2024, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (219534)
- Semester 2, 2023, Flexible, UC - Canberra, Bruce (214905)
- Semester 2, 2022, Flexible, UC - Canberra, Bruce (209933)