This foundation unit introduces students to the 'nuts and bolts' of the Australian Legal system and legal reasoning. In addition, it offers a selection of socio-political contexts within which to situate and critically evaluate the contemporary Australian legal system. This unit (BLB1101) provides a foundation for the study of law at Victoria University and, as such, successful completion is a pre-requisite for progression through the Law course.
This unit:
- Provides students with a working foundation in the technical structure of Australian legal systems and legal reasoning, using applied practical teaching and learning methods;
- Exposes students to ways of making sense of Australian legal systems and legal process in a legal academic way, using selected contexts from criminal and private law;
- Introduces students to the broader contexts in which legal issues may arise, including the political, social, historical, philosophical and economic contexts; and
- Inducts students in the ways of the lawyer, including and legal reasoning and appropriate language use and structure
- using reflective, applied and theory-based teaching and learning methods.
Unit details
Location:
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
BLB1101
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Visit the glossary
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Learning Outcomes
| 1. | Analyse the components of Australian legal systems, and elaborate how these components intersect and interact, and how lawyers use these systems; | ||
| 2. | Communicate using appropriate professional legal language and express ideas and perspectives; | ||
| 3. | Situate and analyse Australian legal systems within broader contemporary social and political contexts; | ||
| 4. | Articulate and write about law in a coherent and professional way; and | ||
| 5. | Work collaboratively and independently to use legal reasoning, (including statutory interpretation and application of case law) to create and present logical structured answers to problem-style legal questions. |
Assessment
| Assessment type | Description | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Test | Quiz 1 | 10% |
| Assignment | Research assignment | 30% |
| Assignment | Critical Reflection and Legal Reasoning Task | 50% |
| Test | Final Quiz | 10% |
Required reading
Foundations of Australian Law and Legal Writing: A custom publication for Victoria University,
Raponi, K,de Saint, J, O'Sullivan, C, (eds) (2022),
LexisNexis
Australian Guide to Legal Citation 4th
Melbourne University Law Review Association
Available in hard copy or online: http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/mulr/aglc
Where to next?
As part of a course
This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.
VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.
