Courses & Units
Foundations of Public Law LAW253
Introduction
The unit introduces students to the study of public law within the sub-disciplines of constitutional and administrative law. Public law is also the foundation of a range of other disciplines of law including: criminal, human rights, environmental, international, immigration, taxation, corporations and industrial relations law. The main theme of this unit is public law in contemporary practice; in particular how public law defines, constrains and empowers governmental action. Students will develop both a theoretical and practical understanding of the subject matter and participate in learning and assessment based on contemporary public law issues. The course will be divided into inter-related parts: A. Introduction to Australian Public Law B. The Parliament C. The Executive D. The Judiciary This unit will provide students with part of the necessary theory to complete a law degree in accordance with Law Admission requirements and is a prerequisite for the core administrative and constitutional law units as well as any public law elective units students may choose to undertake.
Summary
| Unit name | Foundations of Public Law |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAW253 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | College of Arts, Law and Education Faculty of Law |
| Discipline | Law |
| Coordinator | Doctor Tamara Wood |
| Available as an elective? | No |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Intermediate |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | On-Campus | International | Domestic | |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
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Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 26/2/2024 | 22/3/2024 | 15/4/2024 | 2/6/2024 |
* 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 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Identify, analyse and explain the functions, powers and limits on the powers of public institutions, demonstrating sound knowledge of the content and theory underpinning public law in Australia.
- Critically analyse contemporary public law problems using the case method and present arguments in relation to the legal issues raised by those problems.
- Present persuasive legal arguments through writing to a professional standard response to questions about contemporary issues concerning Australian public law.
- Contribute regularly, respectfully and meaningfully to class discussions with a demonstrated understanding of assigned primary and secondary sources.
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 | $2,040.00 | $1,597.00 | not applicable | $2,040.00 |
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 UConnect 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
Prerequisites
LAW107 and an additional 25 credit points of Law units.Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | Lecture: 2-hour weekly (Tuesday 1-3pm, Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1) Tutorial/Workshop: 2-hour fortnightly, commencing in Week 2 of semester (Moot Court, Law Building) |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Workshop participation (20%)|Exam (40%)|Written tasks (40%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Appleby et al, Australian Public Law (OUP, 4th edition, 2023) Bateman et al, Hanks Australian Constitutional Law: Materials and Commentary (Lexis Nexis, 11th ed, 2021) (This text will also be used for LAW250 Constitutional Law in Semester 2.) |
Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
|---|
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.