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Foundations of Law unit (LAW107)

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Unit year 2025

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Location: Cradle Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Online

Introduction

This unit introduces you to the key elements of domestic Australian and indigenous legal systems, and considers how they compare with other legal systems around the world. You will gain an introduction into how law is made in Australia by courts and the legislature, within Australia’s constitutional framework, and consider how Tasmania’s legislature and the courts have addressed contemporary and historical social issues. You will consider how a person’s place within society influences the way they perceive and evaluate law and will be introduced to several ethical issues and rules that arise for different actors within the legal system. This will be your first opportunity to learn skills that are fundamental to your future studies and careers in law: working effectively in small groups; critical thinking; how to read and take good notes from class and texts; and how to manage study time to achieve success in law.

Summary

Unit name Foundations of Law
Unit code LAW107
Credit points 12.5
College/School Arts and Society
Faculty of Law
Discipline Law
Coordinator Doctor Manon Simon
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Introductory

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Cradle Coast Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Hobart Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Hobart Semester 2 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Launceston Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 1 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 2 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 23/2/2025 24/3/2025 13/4/2025 31/5/2025
Semester 2 20/7/2025 18/8/2025 7/9/2025 25/10/2025

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2025 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2025 will be available from the 1st October 2024. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe and explain the origins and structure of Australia’s legal system, including history, institutions, principles and sources of law
  • Explain and critique the recognition of First Australians in the Australian Legal System over time
  • Identify and respond to ethical issues at an introductory level
  • Communicate effectively and persuasively in verbal and written formats and support arguments with relevant literature
  • Work collaboratively and independently

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
090999 $2,124.00 $1,663.00 not applicable $2,142.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

LAW121

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

On-Campus
Lecture: 2 hours weekly (Interactive lectures across the study period)
Workshop: 1 hour weekly face-to-face (commencing in Week 1 of semester)

Online
Lecture: 2 hours weekly (Interactive lectures across the study period)
Workshop: 1 hour weekly online tutorial (commencing in Week 1 of semester)

AssessmentAssessment Task 2: Contribution to workshop discussions (10%)|Assessment Task 1: Quiz (15%)|Assessment Task 3: Case activated learning (35%)|Assessment Task 4: Exam (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Essential text:

Michelle Sanson and Thalia Anthony, Connecting with Law, 5th Edition, Oxford University Press.

Note - we will be using this text every week. This text will also in Law108, so definitely worth purchasing.

 
Recommended

All additional readings will be available via mylo.

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