C10218v2 Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Information Management) Bachelor of Laws

Overview

Information is essential to the functioning and interaction of individuals, social groups, communities, organisations and societies. The Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Information Management) Bachelor of Laws is offered jointly by the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The course aims to provide students with a range of professional skills for designing, producing, accessing, communicating and managing information and knowledge, and the law.

This course is highly regarded both nationally and internationally. It develops a broad range of capabilities for professional practice in information and the law. Students learn to solve problems encountered in areas where the law intersects with the creation, organisation, retrieval and dissemination of information, particularly in electronic environments, and engage with pertinent ethical questions.

Career options

Career options include working in a range of social, organisational and technological contexts, such as legal practitioner in the information and knowledge industry; a career in the growth area of the world wide web, business information, managing digital data, designing information content, and managing information systems and networks.

Additional assumed knowledge

HSC English and computer literacy.

Additional recognition of prior learning

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has established recognition of prior learning packages with the following institutions for the courses listed:

• Insearch UTS: Diploma of Communication
• TAFE NSW: Diploma in Library and Information Services; Associate Diploma in Library Practice
• Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore: Diploma in Information Studies; Diploma in Library Studies
• School of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong University: Higher Diploma in Library and Information Science

Course duration and attendance

The course is offered on a five-year, full-time basis, during which the Arts degree studies are integrated with studies in Law. Students are required to attend approximately 17 hours of seminars and lectures per week, and may be required to attend evening classes.

Course structure

The course comprises 244 credit points and allows students to graduate with the separate degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Information Management) and Bachelor of Laws. The study components for course completion are as follows:

The Law component of 144 credit points is made up of:

• 96 credit points of compulsory core law subjects (14 subjects)
• 24 credit points of law options (four subjects), and
• either 24 credit points of practical legal training subjects (five subjects) or an additional 24 credit points of law options (four subjects).

The Arts component of 100 credit points is made up of:

• 36 credit points of compulsory first-year (100-level) subjects (six subjects)
• 56 credit points of subjects from Disciplinary and/or Professional Strands where specified (seven subjects), and
• 8 credit points of Elective Studies (one subject).

Industrial training/professional practice

Admission to practise as a legal practitioner in NSW is based upon the successful completion of an undergraduate law degree (such as the Bachelor of Laws) plus an accredited course of practical legal training. Students can elect to attempt part of the practical legal training within the Bachelor of Laws in the final semester.

For more information about the practical legal training program, see:

Course completion requirements

Course diagram

Course program

The standard program shown is for a full-time student who has elected to undertake practical legal training within the LLB. Students have the choice of commencing practical legal training within the LLB in the final semester of study or attempting an additional 24 credit points of law options.

Honours

Professional recognition

Australian Library and Information Association; Supreme Court of NSW

Graduates are eligible for professional membership of the Australian Library and Information Association. The law component satisfies the requirements of the Supreme Court of NSW for admission as a legal practitioner, provided students undertake the optional Practical Legal Training in the final semester.

Other information

For further information on the Law component, contact the Law Information Office: