Unit Outline

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.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	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.
2.	Critically analyse contemporary public law problems using the case method and present arguments in relation to the legal issues raised by those problems.
3.	Present persuasive legal arguments through writing to a professional standard response to questions about contemporary issues concerning Australian public law.
4.	Contribute regularly, respectfully and meaningfully to class discussions with a demonstrated understanding of assigned primary and secondary sources.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	LAW107 and an additional 25 credit points of Law units.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Written tasks	Week 6	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Workshop participation	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Written tasks

Task Description:

Student will complete a written assessment (1500 words) relating to current issues in Australian public law.

Task Length:

A total of 1500 words (e.g. 1 x 500 words & 1 x 1000 words)

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Clearly and directly answers the question and provides well structured, persuasive reasons and evidence in support of that answer.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Written to a professional standard (see separate instructions for further detail).	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Exam

Task Description:

Students will complete a 2-hour invigilated exam during the exam period.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding of those aspects of public law studied in this unit.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Apply knowledge of relevant law to short essay questions	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Answer essay questions directly, with persuasive arguments in support of the answer, and using a logical structure and clear and correct written expression.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Workshop participation

Task Description:

Students will be assessed on the quality of their contributions to interactive workshops throughout the semester.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge based on the completion of set readings and other required preparation, as well as a capacity to make connections between different aspects of public law.	LO1, LO2, LO4
2	Apply relevant legal principles and rules to hypothetical, historical and contemporary public law problems.	LO1, LO2, LO4
3	Listen to and show respect for other participants and respond their ideas and contributions.	LO1, LO2, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.