Constitutional Law

About this subject

• What you'll learn

  Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate cognitive awareness and an ability to analyse the broader principles of the context and the principles underpinning the Commonwealth Constitution; and perspectives of nationhood;
  2. use technical skills in analysing the specialist key constitutional concepts and doctrines, including the techniques and principles of constitutional interpretation, characterisation, and the separation of powers in discussing constitutional issues;
  3. identify, analyse and evaluate the powers and functions of the principal branches of government in Australia and their relationship with each other for the purpose of testing the validity of legislative action;
  4. use initiative and professional judgment to engage in critical analysis of the High Court's decisions involving the interpretation and application of the Constitutional provisions, particularly when this involves determining the demarcation of power between the Commonwealth and the States;
  5. demonstrate coherent and effective written communication skills in discussing and analysing a topic on constitutional law, or formulating an advice that applies the principles of constitutional law to a hypothetical problem; and
  6. demonstrate the ability to clearly identify, comprehend, interpret, analyse and apply constitutional law documentation of a substantive, procedural and unit based nature in assessments.

• Topics covered

• Description

• Assessments

• Textbooks

• About University of New England

Entry requirements

Part of a degree

To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:

Core

• UNE-LAW-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Laws (3 Years)
• UNE-LLB-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Laws (4 Years)

Prior study

You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:

• UNE-LAW313-Evidence and Proof

• UNE-LAW100-Foundations of Law

• UNE-LAW157-Alternative Dispute Resolution

• UNE-LAW102-Legal Professional Skills

• UNE-LAW162-Criminal Law

• UNE-LAW270-Interviewing for Advocacy

• UNE-LAW101-Law in Context

• UNE-LAW131-Torts Law

• UNE-LAW164-Law and First Peoples of Australia

• UNE-LAW172-Contract Law

Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).

Others

Candidature in Bachelor of Laws (4 Years).
To enrol in this subject you will need to pass the Prerequisite/s. Please note as UNE results are released after the close of enrolment date, your enrolment into this subject will be withdrawn if you do not pass the prerequisite subject/s.

Additional requirements

• Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or media presentations).
• Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units, regardless of whether they contain an on campus attendance or intensive school component. For additional information please visit UNE Hardware Requirements: https://www.une.edu.au/current-students/support/it-services/hardware
• Other requirements -

  Textbook requirements:
  Textbook information is not available until approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the Teaching period.
  Students are expected to purchase prescribed material.
  Textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Study load

0.125 EFTSL

This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.

Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.

Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.