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Legal Systems, Research & Writing - LAWS8110
Law Books

 
Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: Academic Program must be 9211 or 5211
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

This course is made up of three inter-related modules. Module 1: Principles of International Law introduces students to the international legal system. Students will learn about the nature, sources and theoretical foundations of international law (of which human rights law is a part) and how it is applied within States' domestic legal systems. Module 2: Australian Legal System & Process looks at the structure of and principles governing common law legal systems and at the role of constitutions. Module 3: Research & Writing in a Legal Environment provides training in the legal research and legal writing skills which are essential for the successful completion of law assignments.

This course must be taken by non-law graduate students in the first semester of the Master of Human Rights Law & Policy and of the Graduate Diploma of Human Rights Law & Policy. However, students who have already completed LAWS8180 (or LAWS4080) Principles of International Law are required instead to take LAWS8230 Reading & Writing in a Legal Environment (4 units of credit).

Recommended prior knowledge

None

Course objectives

  • Assist students to develop a foundational understanding of the sources, nature and theoretical underpinnings of both international and domestic law
  • Give students a working understanding of how international law and domestic law relate to and interact with one another
  • Develop an awareness of different domestic legal systems and constitutions
  • Assist students to master the legal research and legal writing skills which are essential for the successful completion of law assignments

Main topics

  • The international legal system
  • The nature, sources and theoretical foundations of international law
  • The nature and place of human rights law in international law
  • How international law is applied within the domestic legal systems of states
  • The structure of and principles governing common law legal systems, including that of Australia
  • The role of constitutions, including the Australian constitution
  • Fundamental legal research and legal writing skills

Assessment

The course is assessed on a pass/fail basis. Students must achieve a pass mark in all three modules to pass the course as a whole. Assessment is as follows:

Module 1: Principles of International Law. One in-class test of one and one quarter hours' duration (1 1/4 hours) will be held approximately three weeks after the last class in this module. The test will be worth 30 percent (30%) of the total mark.

Module 2: Australian Legal System and Process. One in-class test of 45 minutes duration will be held approximately two weeks after the last class in this module. The test will be worth 20 percent (20%) of the total mark.

Module 3: Research & Writing in a Legal Environment. Assessment for this module will be worth 50 percent (50%) of the total mark and is comprised of three parts: Class Participation (25%); completed class exercises (25%); and, one Research Skills assignment (50%).

Course Materials

Course Materials may be purchased from the UNSW Bookshop. Additional materials will be distributed during classes. A list of required and suggested reading for the course will be made available closer to the commencement of the course.

Resources

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

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© 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.