UNSW Handbook Course - Conceptual Foundations of the Legal System

Conceptual Foundations of the Legal System - LAWS1123


	Faculty: Faculty of Law
	School: Faculty of Law
	Course Outline: See below
	Campus: Kensington Campus
	Career: Undergraduate
	Units of Credit: 6
	EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
	Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 4
	Excluded: JURD7923
	CSS Contribution Charge:Band 3 (more info)
	Tuition Fee:See Tuition Fee Schedule
	Further Information: See Class Timetable

Description

This course is studied at the same time as Legal Experience 2. It develops students’ understanding of the functioning of the Australian legal system and their facility with foundational legal skills acquired in Legal System and Skills. Students are introduced to fundamental concepts and legal paradigms in three core areas of substantive law: contract, tort and criminal law. The course focuses on students’ acquisition of legal problem-solving skills in oral and written contexts that will enhance students’ understanding of legal principles found in case and statute law in these three fields of law.

Recommended Prior Knowledge

None

Course Objectives

To introduce students to basic principles of law in contract, tort and criminal law, including a critical understanding of theory and policy considerations informing the law in these fields.
To understand and practise applying forms of legal argument to legal problem-solving.
To develop analytical and critical skills.
To encourage students to look at how substantive law works in a social context.

Main Topics

Contract: aspects of contract theory; offer and acceptance; consideration; intention to create legal relations; formal requirements; capacity to contract.
Tort: the rise of negligence; the elements of negligence; critical perspectives.
Criminal law: debates around criminalisation; process in criminal law; public order offences; sentencing.

Assessment

Class participation: 10%

Class performance (practical exercises): 20%

Problem-solving assignment: 30%

End of semester exam: 40%

Course Texts

Prescribed

Reading Materials available from UNSW Bookshop.

Recommended

Daniel Khoury and Yvonne Yamouni, Understanding Contract Law, 7th edn, LexisNexis Butterworths, Australia, 2007
John Gooley and Peter Radan, Principles of Australian Contract Law, LexisNexis Butterworths, Australia, 2006
Frances McGlone and Amanda Stickley, Australian Torts Law, LexisNexis Butterworths, Australia, 2005
Simon Bronnit and Bernadette McSherry, Principles of Criminal Law, 2nd edn, Lawbook Co, Sydney, 2005
David Brown et al, Criminal Laws, 4th edn, Federation Press, Sydney 2006

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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.