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Course Outline

LAW102 Foundations of Australian Law B

Course Coordinator:Dale Mitchell (dmitchell@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course considers law in context (social, cultural, historical, philosophical). It does so to highlight the value of legal theory to the practice of law, and the role of “thinking legally” in navigating professional and legal life. It aims to provide students with critical thinking skills and a capacity to develop reasoned, scholarly arguments. This course introduces you to various legal systems, and perspectives on law and its role in modern times. You will develop your legal writing skills and extend your research skills to include secondary legal sources.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 13 times
Seminar – 1 hour Seminar in Weeks 1 and 13 1hr Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) 2 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Tutorial for 2 hours in Weeks 2-3; 5-13. 2hrs Week 2 11 times
Laboratory 1 – On campus computer lab - 2 hours in Week 4. 2hrs Week 4 Once Only

Course Topics

The course intends to reflect current events and debates within law, so topics may vary based on contemporary developments. Themes which this course may draw upon, include:

  • Access to Justice
  • Indigenous Legal Perspectives
  • Liberalism
  • Natural Law and Legal Positivism
  • Law and Power
  • Legal Realism
  • Critical Race Theory
  • Feminist Legal Theories
  • Earth Jurisprudence

Mature Content

Adult themes

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Identify and articulate legal issues; and research, evaluate, synthesise and apply relevant legal and policy matters. Knowledgeable
Empowered
2 Critically analyse legal developments with reference to broader contexts. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
3 Identify ethical issues arising in legal contexts and determine an appropriate response. Ethical
Sustainability-focussed
4 Demonstrate legal reasoning and Problem solving skills to generate appropriate responses to legal issues. Knowledgeable
Empowered
5 Demonstrate effective communication skills. Knowledgeable
Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

LAW101 and enrolled in any Law Program or AR013

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback on progress is available in weekly hands-on tutorials, where students have an opportunity to present (and receive feedback on) responses to questions and exercises. Throughout the tutorial program each of the tasks that comprise the Portfolio will be introduced, discussed and worked on. This embedded approach to assessment is designed to ensure constant opportunities for feedback and discussion during these moments as these items are constructed.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Activity Participation Individual 10% 
2 Hour Tutorials
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) In Class
All 2 Essay Individual 50% 
1500 words
 Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 40% 
3 Hours
 Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Tutorial Participation
Goal: 
The goal of this task is to assess your ability to identify and respond to foundational law and legal theory questions.
Product: Activity Participation
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Oral responses to questions within the tutorial time or written responses to the tutorial activities each week if unable to attend the tutorial. Students will need to complete participation for 10 tutorials, with each tutorial being worth 1% of the mark.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Knowledge of the relevant law
 1 2 3 4 5
2 
Effective communication
 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Organisation
All - Assessment Task 2:Research Essay
Goal: 
You will write critically on an assigned topic from the course, drawing on materials studied and other primary and secondary sources identified through your own research. To help you prepare for this task, you will undertake writing and planning activities in tutorials, with formative feedback provided during these classes.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
An essay, 1500 words, with footnote references in accordance with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation plus bibliography.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Knowledge and understanding of the topic
 1
2 
Analysis and critical thinking
 2 4
3 
Structure and writing
 5
4 
Referencing
 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Invigilated Final Examination
Goal: 
The goal of this task is to assess your ability to identify and respond to foundational law and legal theory questions.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
This assessment task is an online, open-book and invigilated exam. You will be required to attend a live Zoom session throughout the duration of the exam and need access to a working computer, a stable internet connection, and a webcam.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Correctly identifies legal and ethical issues;
 1 3
2 
Synthesises and applies principles, concepts and broader perspectives to generate appropriate responses to legal issues;
 2 4
3 
Communicates effectively, using appropriate and effective language for the audience and context
 5
4 
Evaluation and Critique of Legal Research and Legal Writing
 4 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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