Course Outline Report: LAW208

What is this course about?

Description

This course provides you with a critical and practice-led understanding of contract law. Contract law underpins commercial life, providing a foundation for various forms of civil obligations. In this course you will gain an understanding of the elements of a legally-enforceable contract, and the way in which contractual obligations are established, performed and enforced. 

By understanding the complexities of contract law and the ways in which it is put into action, this course sharpens your skills in client advocacy and legal communication. Practical assessment tasks develop your skills in time-sensitive client communication, and a simulated trial capstones the course as you advocate for your clients interests before the court.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity	Hours	Beginning Week	Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online Learning Materials	1.5hrs	Week 1	12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On-Campus Tutorials	2hrs	Week 2	10 times
Online
Learning materials – Online Learning Materials	1.5hrs	Week 1	12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online Tutorials	2hrs	Week 2	10 times

Course Topics

The topics covered in this course enable you to deploy contract law to address legal questions related to:

Contractual Formation – Is there a legally binding agreement? (Intention, Agreement, Consideration)
Parties to Contract – Are the persons party to the contract able to enforce the bargain? (Capacity)
Contractual Terms – What are the terms (obligations) of the contract, and what do they mean? (Contract Terms)
Vitiating Factors – Is the contract void or voidable due to the presence of a vitiating factor? (Vitiating Factors, Breach)
Discharge – Has the contract been performed or terminated?, and (Termination, Severability, Force Majeure)
Remedies – If the contract has been breached, what remedies are available? (Remedies)

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

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	Analyse facts to identify legal issues within complex contract law scenarios.	Knowledgeable Empowered
2	Explain the relevant laws, processes and concepts of contract law to resolve a legal issue.	Knowledgeable
3	Utilize critical thinking, analysis, and sound judgment to apply legal knowledge effectively in diverse contexts, generating appropriate and practical responses to complex problems and ethical issues.	Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical
4	Demonstrate effective, persuasive, and contextually appropriate written and oral communication.	Empowered
5	Develop and demonstrate effective presentation skills, including proper referencing and citation techniques, to communicate legal information accurately and professionally.	Empowered
6	Collaborate effectively by actively participating and contributing to group tasks.	Knowledgeable Empowered Ethical
7	Create and present legal submissions to support your clients’ position in a simulated trial setting.	Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical Engaged Sustainability-focussed

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

Enrolled in UB008 or AD001 or AR013 or AR390 or AR391 or AR392 or AR396 or AR397 or AB310 or AB311

Co-requisites

(LAW100 and LAW105) OR (LAW101 or LAW102 or LAW108)

Anti-requisites

LAW204

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

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

Students will have an opportunity to receive formative feedback on academic progress by participating in the tutorial program. Weekly tutorial questions are posted at the commencement of the semester, and students have the opportunity to complete these questions and receive both peer and instructor review of this work. Tutorial questions are designed to model real-world advice scenarios, and scaffold students towards developing responses to law assignments and exams. 

The assessment regime is scaffolded, providing opportunities for early feedback. Task 1 allows students to receive feedback on their skills in crafting written submissions prior to the simulated trial assessment (Task 3) at the close of the semester which assesses these skills at a higher weighting.

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	Artefact - Professional	Individual	20%	No more than 4 pages	Refer to Format	Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All	2	Artefact - Professional	Individual	30%	75 minutes	Week 9	Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All	3a	Artefact - Professional	Individual and Group	30%	4 pages	Week 13	Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All	3b	Oral	Individual	20%	10 minutes	Exam Period	Exam Venue

All - Assessment Task 1:Formative Submissions

Goal:

This task provides you with the opportunity to practice your oral and written submission skills.

Product:

Artefact - Professional

Format:

This task requires you to draft written submissions in response to one of the tutorial questions. You will elect which tutorial your submissions will relate to in the opening weeks of the course, which will in-turn impact the due date of this task.
 
Your submissions should be prepared in accordance with the relevant Practice Directions, accurately reflect contract law principles, and should be no more than 4 pages in length (maximum). Guidance as to the preparation of written submissions and exemplars will be provided in the opening weeks of the course.
 
This task provides an opportunity to get feedback on your skills in drafting written submissions prior to the simulated trial at the close of semester.

Criteria:

No.		Learning Outcome assessed
1	Identification of legal issues	1 2
2	Explanation of the principles of contract law	2
3	Application of contract law to a factual scenario	2 3 5

Generic Skills:

Communication, Problem solving, Organisation

All - Assessment Task 2:Contract Review

Goal:

This task tests your understanding of the formation of contracts, the enforceability of contracts, and contractual terms through a time-limited online written response task. The goal of this style of assessment is to prepare you for the realities of client-focused legal practice.

Product:

Artefact - Professional

Format:

This assessment is a simulated exchange with a client seeking advice on a contract law issue. Your task is to address the questions asked by the client through return correspondence, providing full and complete legal advice, and practicing appropriate communication skills in doing so. 
 
This task is time-limited. From the time of accessing the questions asked, you will have 75-minutes to complete the task and submit a response.
 
In Week 8 (one-week prior to this time-limited task), you will be provided a copy of the matter file for this client. This file provides a record of the client’s interaction with your firm alongside a portfolio of documents for your review that may be relevant to completing this task.

Criteria:


Identification of contract law issues
Explanation of the principles of contract law
Application of contract law to a factual scenario to pursue client interests
Communication of a legal position as appropriate for a client communication
Where relevant, an understanding of the broader contexts within which contract law operates

Generic Skills:

Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy

All - Assessment Task 3a:Simulated Trial: Written Submissions

Goal:

The goal of this task is to construct written submissions in collaboration with a peer to advocate and advance your client’s position.

This is an Aligned Assessment Point.

Product:

Artefact - Professional

Format:

This task builds upon Task 1, requiring you to once again prepare written submissions in response to a legal dispute related to contract law. 
 
This is a group task and group members should work collaboratively in constructing these written submissions. Individual group members will be required to complete independently an Accountability Form which provides feedback on other group member’s contribution to the task.

Criteria:


Identification of legal issues and any case law appropriate to resolve identified issues
Explanation of the principles of contract law
Application of contract law to a factual scenario to pursue client interests
Communication of legal position, accurately and succinctly
Collaboration and effective teamwork

Generic Skills:

Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation

All - Assessment Task 3b:Simulated Trial: Oral Submissions

Goal:

The goal of this task is to deliver submissions before a simulated court, advocating client interests, while adhering to proper professional courtesies and respect.

This is an Aligned Assessment Point and a Mandatory Contact Point. To successfully complete LAW208 Contract Law and meet the Bachelor of Laws accreditation requirements at UniSC, students must attend in-person and participate in the Mandatory Contact Point.

Product:

Oral

Format:

This is an individual task. Appearing before a simulated court, you and your peer will deliver the submissions drafted in Task 3A – each speaking to part of the submissions. In doing so, students are expected to make their appearances, respond to questions from the bench, adhere to any time restrictions, and maintain a consistency with their written submissions. 

Further detailed instructions on the format of the simulated trial will be provided on the course site.

Criteria:


Demonstration of knowledge and principles of contract law
Effective use of oral speaking skills to convey meaning and persuade the court
Accurate and considered responses to judicial questioning
Collaboration and effective teamwork with colleagues
Ethical and respectful conduct before the court and with opposing counsel

Generic Skills:

Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation

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

This course meets the necessary content requirements for Contract Law under the Prescribed Areas of Knowledge of Schedule 1 of the LACC Uniform Admission Rules 2015 (the ‘Priestley 11’). 

This course contains a Mandatory Contact Point, requiring in-person attendance for all cohorts (including Online cohorts) for the Simulated Trial. To successfully complete LAW208 Contract Law and meet the Bachelor of Laws accreditation requirements at UniSC, students must attend in-person and participate in the Mandatory Contact Point held in the Exam Period (Task 3b) . Failure to attend the Mandatory Contact Point will mean that students are not able to pass the course.

Online options will be offered for all in-semester classes, in-person attendance is only required for the designated Mandatory Contact Point (simulated trial).

This course contains an Aligned Assessment Point.

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:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.
The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

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