70110 Introduction to Law

The subject is designed for non-lawyers and lawyers from legal traditions other than the common law tradition who need to acquire an understanding of the Australian legal system and fundamental principles within main areas of Australian law to assist them to undertake more specialised studies including those in a range of disciplines and fields other than law. It is designed to provide, in a module of nine out of a total of 12 topics, an introduction to the Australian legal system and an understanding of the western legal traditions and common law foundations for the legal system, followed by an introduction to principles of legal research and legal problem-solving, and to legal principles in the main areas of the law. This provides a foundation for students to undertake the research and learning in the last three topics of the subject which are specific to students' courses. It is intended that these nine topics are offered as an adjunct to a number of courses both internal and external, and it is designed to give an overview of those areas required to underpin the more specific and in-depth course materials which are taught in the remaining three topics. By combining the teaching of an understanding of the Australian legal system and major legal concepts with teaching the skills of research and legal problem-solving, the first nine topics of the subject equip students to move effectively into the specialised learning required not only in the last three topics but in their other subjects and their future studies.

Typical availability

Autumn semester
Spring semester