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Postgraduate Handbook

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Introduction to Public Law - LAWS4274
Basser Steps

 
Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 4
 
 
EFTSL: 0.08333 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 0
 
 
Fee Band: 3 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

This course aims to introduce students to the study of public law, including its methods of reasoning, history and fundamental principles. It asks students to engage with introductory principles and theories of constitutional and administrative law as they apply to the essential features of our system of government. Specific topics which students will be required to learn and analyse include the Westminster System, Federation, Indigenous Peoples and the Question of Sovereignty, the Federal Parliament, the Separation of powers, Human Rights and Bills of Rights and Constitutional Change.


Credited Programs

Legal Studies students only.

Recommended Prior Knowledge

None

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, students will have developed:
  • An understanding of core public law principles
  • Knowledge of the Australian system of government
  • A preliminary grasp of constitutional and administrative law frameworks
  • An appreciation of topical arguments in favour of and against various proposals for public law reform
  • An ability to cogently discuss these concepts in a scholarly and persuasive manner

Main Topics

  • Constitutionalism and the Fiji crisis
  • The Westminster system
  • Federation to popular sovereignty
  • Indigenous peoples and the question of sovereignty
  • The Australian federal system
  • The Federal Parliament
  • The separation of judicial power
  • State constitutions
  • The executive
  • Human rights and Bills of Rights
  • Changing the constitution and the republic

Assessment

Class participation Preparation and engagement in class 10%
Final exam 90%
 

Course Texts

Prescribed
Tony Blackshield and George Williams, Australian Constitutional Law & Theory: Commentary and Materials (4th ed, Federation Press, 2006)

Recommended
  • Saunders, C, It's Your Constitution: Governing Australia Today (Federation Press, 2nd ed 2003); or
  • Singleton, G, Aitkin, D, Jinks, B, and Warhurst, J (eds), Australian Political Institutions (Longman, 7th ed 2003)

Resources

Refer to Course Outline provided by lecturer at the beginning of session.

URL for this page:

© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.