Introduction to Legal Studies
UndergraduateUNE-LSU1002024
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Welcome to the Australia legal system. You’ll explore who makes laws and how it’s done. Make a start on your legal research and writing skills. Gain an overview of the legal profession and think about where you might fit.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 16 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Introduction to Legal Studies
About this subject
On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- demonstrate understanding of the structure of the Australian and international legal systems, and the roles of law-making institutions such as parliaments and higher courts, and compare those roles across common law, civil law and hybrid systems;
- demonstrate introductory understanding of the role of the legal profession;
- develop and demonstrate introductory understanding of the doctrine of precedent and the principles of statutory interpretation, and then apply that understanding to case law and legislation in the context of legal problems to demonstrate introductory level legal analysis skills;
- develop and demonstrate introductory level legal research skills to locate relevant primary and secondary legal sources;
- engage with the learning management system to develop and demonstrate legal study skills and time management skills; and
- develop and demonstrate legal writing skills using appropriate professional language, a logically ordered structure and with appropriate referencing.
- Topics will be available to enrolled students in the subjects Learning Management System site approximately one week prior to the commencement of the teaching period.
An understanding of how the legal system works is a valuable skill for students pursuing a wide range of career outcomes. This subject is suited to non-law students and provides a comprehensive introduction to legal studies, starting you on the path to achieving an understanding of how legal systems operate in Australia and elsewhere. You will explore the ways in which the law is made, and how law applies in various contemporary contexts. As part of your study, you will also develop introductory level skills in legal research, writing and analysis.
Forum Participation: Assessment Notes: Forum participation 10% Note: Students are encouraged to participate in all five forums (2% each forum). Participation in at least one forum is mandatory. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5;
Quizzes: Assessment Notes: Students are encouraged to attempt all five quizzes, three (3) best marks calculated towards total of 15%. Participation in at least one quiz is mandatory. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-5;
Assignment: 1500 words. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6;
Final Examination: 2hrs 15mins. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 6.
The exam will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. UNE manages supervised exams associated with your UNE subjects. Prior to census date, UNE releases exam timetables. They’ll email important exam information directly to your UNE email address.- Forum Participation (10%)
- Quizzes (15%)
- Assignment (30%)
- Final Invigilated Examination (45%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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- 36
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
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. Please refer students to link for requirements: http://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.
Student feedback
22 student respondents between 10 Feb - 13 June 2024.
95%of students felt the study load was manageable
90%of students felt this subject helped them gain relevant skills
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Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateUNE-LLB-DEG
UndergraduateUNE-LGS-DEG
UndergraduateUNE-PLS-DIP
UndergraduateUNE-CRM-DEG
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