LAW 1501 - Foundations of Law

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022

This course provides a foundation in the core legal skills of case reading and analysis, legal research, statutory interpretation and problem solving. It also introduces students to basic legal philosophy, and incorporates a module introducing students to Australian Indigenous legal systems and their interaction with the colonial legal system in Australia.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code LAW 1501
    Course Foundations of Law
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Law School
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate Law (LLB)
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Corequisites LAW 1507 or LAW 1504
    Incompatible LAW 1100
    Restrictions Available to LLB and B.Criminology with B.Laws and BArts Advanced with B.Laws students only
    Assessment Typically will include group work in seminars, written assignments during the semester, and an exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Matthew Stubbs

    Semester 1:

    Course Coordinator: Assoc Prof Matthew Stubbs

    Lecturers: Dr Francesco de Zwart

    Seminar Leaders: Details will be advised on MyUni.

    Semester 2:

    Course Coordinator: Dr Francesco de Zwart

    Lecturers:

    Dr Francesco de Zwart
    Other lecturers will be advised on MyUni

    Seminar Leaders: Details will be advised on MyUni.

    Contact details for consultation will be advised on MyUni.

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    This course will be taught intensely in the first three weeks of term, with up to 7 contact hours in these weeks. Thereafter the course will be taught in a 1 hour lecture and a two hour seminar weekly. A full timetable for the course is available on the MyUni course website.

    Both Seminars and Lectures begin in Week One. It is essential that students attend from week 1. Those who miss the first three weeks will be unable to catch up with the course.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1 Identify sources of law in Australia, analyse cases, apply principles of statutory interpretation, and undertake legal research at a foundational level using legal databases.
    2 Apply basic strategies to solve legal problems, and engage with legal theories to critique the operation of the law.
    3 Communicate effectively individually and as part of a team.  Work in collaboration with others to solve problems, prepare written
    documents, and deliver a presentation. Engage with team members in an ethical and professional manner.
    4 Exercise professional judgement in the application of case law and statute to solve legal problems.
    5 Analyse the impact of case law and statute from a policy perspective.  Appreciate the ethical dimension of the role of lawyers, and the functioning of law and legal systems.  Critically reflect on the operation of the law as a social institution in the context of Indigenous and theoretical perspectives.
    6 Reflect on their ability to effectively undertake work as a member of a team.


    The Legal Practitioners' Education and Admissions Council (LPEAC) sets rules for the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in South Australia.

    Students must demonstrate a satisfactory level of understanding and application of 11 core areas of legal knowledge. This course teaches the following topics within these core areas:

    ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY:
    Professional and personal conduct in respect of a practitioner's duty:
    (a) to the law;
    (b) to the Courts.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3, 6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    5

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    5

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    3

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    3, 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    • Lecture and Seminar Guide (on MyUni)
    • Course Readings on MyUni
    • Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) and Legislation Interpretation Act 2021 (SA)
    • Robin Creyke et al, Laying Down the Law (LexisNexis, 11th ed, 2021) (the 10th or 9th editions are also fine)
    Recommended Resources
    • Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th ed, 2018) Melbourne University Law Review Association, Melbourne (available for viewing on the web at http://law.unimelb.edu.au/mulr/aglc/about and available for purchase). A link has also been placed in the ‘Additional Materials’ folder on the MyUni subject website).
    • A dictionary of legal terms such as LexisNexis, Concise Australian Legal Dictionary (6th ed, 2020) or Oxford, Australian Law Dictionary (3rd ed, 2018). Again this is a resource students will find useful throughout their degree.
    Online Learning
    The course is supported by the Foundations of Law MyUni website. The website contains links to the following resources:

    1. Course information, including the lecture and seminar guide.
    2. Course materials – such as items of assessment, lecture PowerPoint slides, and other course materials which will be posted from time to time.
    3. Lectures – lecture recordings will be posted (where available) on MyUni as soon as possible after each lecture.
    4. Discussion Forum – This is available for students to discuss the course among themselves and to communicate with academic staff in relation to administrative or substantive questions about the course.
    5. Grades – where students’ grades will be entered for each assignment.

    MyUni will also be used to post announcements, and assignment tasks. Students are expected to check MyUni regularly to keep up to date with these materials and additional learning resources throughout the course.

    Students should also regularly check their email.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be taught intensely in the first three weeks of term, with up to 7 contact hours in these weeks. Thereafter the course will be taught in a 1 hour lecture and a two hour seminar weekly. A full timetable for the course is available on the MyUni course website.

    Lectures and seminars commence in the first week of semester.

    Seminars examine and apply the material addressed in the lectures and in the readings, as well as covering new material that is better taught in a ‘hands-on’ way, such as legal research. It is essential to prepare for the seminars by undertaking the prescribed reading for the week and preparing the exercises.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    In addition to attending formal classes it is anticipated that students will do substantial independent work to prepare for classes and to complete the course assignments. Students should expect to spend about 4 – 6 hours a week reading and preparing materials for lectures and seminars. In addition, students will expect to spend between 4-6 hours attending Court and preparing a report, 3-5 hours preparing for and completing the quizzes, 15-25 hours preparing for each of the two major assignments.

    The University expects full time students (those undertaking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week Lecture Seminar A Seminar B  Assessment
    MODULE A: SOURCES, LAWYERS AND CASES
    Week   1  Wed 10am: The Concept of Law

    Thurs 2pm (2 hrs): Sources of Law / Doctrine of Precedent / Australian Courts
    Introductions


    The concept of law
    Week 2

    Wed 10am:
    Solving Legal Problems / McBain Case Analysis

    Thurs 2pm (2 hrs): Legal Profession / Re AJG Case Analysis
    Sources of Law and Solving Legal Problems The legal profession / Citation Academic Honesty Quiz due Friday 2pm
    Week 3

    Wed 10am: Review of Case Analysis Case analysis (Part 1) Case Analysis (Part 2)
    MODULE B: STATUTES
    Week 4

    Introduction to Legal Research Legal Research
    (in a computer suite - see your timetable for location details)

    Week 5 Wed 10am: Lecture/Workshop on Statutory Interpretation Problem Qu A Statutory interpretation (pt 1) Court Observation Exercise due Monday 2pm
    Week 6 Wed 10am: Lecture/Workshop on Statutory Interpretation Problem Qu B Statutory interpretation (pt 2)
    MID SEMESTER BREAK
    MODULE C: LEGAL THEORY AND INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES
    Week 7 Wed 10am: Indigenous Perspectives and Legal Theory (pt 1) No seminar Case Analysis and Statutory Interpretation Assignment due Monday 2pm
    Week 8 Wed 10am: Indigenous Perspectives and Legal Theory (pt 2) No seminar
    Week 9 Wed 10am: Indigenous Perspectives and Legal Theory (pt 3) Reconciling Indigenous and non-Indigenous understandings of law
    Week 10 Wed 10am: Indigenous Perspectives and Legal Theory (pt 4) Revisiting the story of colonisation and the clash of legal systems
    Week 11 Wed 10am: Statutory Interpretation Feedback Aboriginal Heritage, Development and the Environment Indigenous Perspectives and Legal Theory Quiz due Monday 2pm
    Week 12 No lecture No seminar
    Week 13 No lecture No seminar Statutory Interpretation and Indigenous Perspectives & Legal Theory Assignment due Friday 2pm
    **This program is subject to change. A more detailed progarm will be posted on MyUni in O'Week**
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Length Redeemable Learning Outcomes
    Academic Honesty Quiz Individual Friday Week 2, 2pm 2% 10 questions No 1,2,4
    Court Report Group or Individual Monday Week 5, 2pm 3% 3 pages No 1,3,5,6
    Case Analysis and Statutory Interpretation Assignment Individual Tuesday Week 7, 2pm 45% 2000 words Yes (providing minimum 40% / bona fide effort - see below) 1,2,4,5
    Indigenous Perspectives and Legal Theory Quiz Individual Monday Week 11, 2pm 5% 10 questions No 1,2,5
    Statutory Interpretation & Indigenous Perspectives & Legal Theory Assignment  Individual Friday Week 13, 2pm 45% or 90% 2500 words N/A 1,2,4,5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Redeemable grades

    The Academic Honesty Quiz, Indigenous Perspectives and Legal Theory Quiz and Court Report components of the interim assessment are not redeemable.

    In order to redeem an interim assessment mark for the Case Analysis and Statutory Interpretation Assignment, a student must achieve 40% or a bona fide effort as assessed by the course coordinator in that item of interim assessment.
    Assessment Detail
    Court Report (3%)

    Student groups (of 2 or 3) are required to observe a South Australian Court while in session and each group must submit a report based on their observations that responds to specific questions [students who are unable to attend court may, on application, be permitted to submit an individual court report based on a virtual court tour instead]. Instructions and questions to be answered will be posted on MyUni. The reports must be submitted by Monday of Week 5 at 2 pm and are worth 3% of the grade for the course.

    Academic Honesty Quiz (2%)

    Students are required to complete a 10 question quiz as their first item of assessment in Law School, in order to familiarise them with the expected standards of Academic Honesty required at Adelaide Law School. Students can take this quiz multiple times, but must score 80% or more in the quiz on at least one attempt in order to receive any marks for this item of assessment (e.g. if a student's highest mark in this quiz is 70%, they will receive 0/2 for this assessment; if their highest mark is 90%, they will receive 1.8/2 for this assessment).

    Indigenous Perspectives and Legal Theory Quiz (5%)

    Students are required to complete a 10 question quiz to test their understanding of the material covered in the videos of the Indigenous Perspectives and Legal Theory Module of the course.

    Analysis and Interpretation Assignment (45%)

    The Analysis and Interpretation Assignment comprises two parts. In part 1 students will be given a passage from a judgment in a case, and will be required to answer questions similar to those modelled in the seminars on case analysis. In part 2 students will undertake a process of statutory interpretation in a form similar to the exercises undertaken in seminars. Detailed instructions with marking criteria will be distributed with the Assignment.

    Statutory Interpretation & Indigenous Perspectives & Legal Theory Assignment (45%)

    This assignment comprises two parts. In part 1, students will undertake a process of statutory interpretation in a form similar to the exercises undertaken in seminars. In part 2, students will answer questions addressing the Indigenous Perspectives and Legal Theory module of the course. Detailed instructions with marking criteria will be distributed with the Assignment.
    Submission
    All assessments will be submitted and monitored through text or code comparative software (e.g. Turnitin) where possible.

    Submission requirements for each piece of assessment will be set out in the information provided when the assessment item is released. Students should read the information on MyUni carefully in relation to submitting each piece of assessment and follow the instructions.

    Extensions


    Extensions beyond the due date will only be granted in the case of serious and unforeseen incapacity. Extensions will be granted only for unexpected illness, hardship or on compassionate grounds in accordance with University Policy. Work commitments, travel, holidays or sporting engagements are NOT unexpected circumstances. If you require an extension, you will need to use the on-line application form available on Unified as soon as you are aware of the need for an extension, and before the due date of the assignment.

    The course coordinator will reply by email, determining whether an extension is warranted, what evidence is required to verify the student’s incapacity, and the length of the extension. Evidence of the incapacity must be submitted with the assignment, and must be consistent with details in the email requesting the extension. If the details of the request for an extension, and the medical or other evidence verifying the extension are not consistent in all respects, the extension is nullified, and the assignment may be penalised.

    All written work in the Law school is required to comply with the approved Law School style guide, the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.

    Penalties:

    1. Late Submission: 5% of the total mark possible will be deducted for every 24 hours or part thereof that submission is late, including each day on a weekend. For example, an essay that is submitted after the due date and time but within the first 24 hour period, and that has been graded at 63%, will have 5% deducted, for a final grade of 58%. An assignment that is more than 24 hours late will lose 10%, etc. Hard copy submissions made after 5.00pm on a Friday will be assumed to have been submitted on the next business day and will be penalised accordingly.
    2. Word Length: Assignments which exceed the allocated length (word length ) will be subject to a penalty of 5% of total marks possible per 100 words or part thereof (ie with a word limit of 1,250, an essay graded 63% will have 5% deducted if it is 1,251 words long, for a final grade of 58%, 10% if it is 1,351 words long, etc). Words are calculated including all footnotes and headings within the text but excluding cover page information. Quotations and all referencing information are included in the word count.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

    Finality of Assessment Grades

    Students are advised that Course Coordinators will not enter into negotiations of any kind with any student regarding changes to their grades. It is irrelevant, in any given circumstance, that only a minimal number of additional marks are required to inflate a student’s grade for any individual assessment item or course as a whole. Pursuant to the University’s Assessment for Coursework Programs Policyand the Adelaide Law School Assessment Policies and Procedures, grades may only be varied through the appropriate channels for academic review (such as an official re-mark).

    Moderation
    In accordance with the University’s Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, course coordinators ‘ensure that appropriate marking guidelines and cross-marking moderation processes across markers are in place’ in each course. Procedures adopted by Adelaide Law School to ensure consistency of marking in courses with multiple markers include:
    • assurance of the qualifications of markers, and their knowledge of the content covered in each course;
    • detailed marking guidelines and assessment rubrics to assist in the marking of items of assessment;
    • sharing of example marked assessments at various grade bands across markers;
    • reviewing of selected marked assessments from each marker by the course coordinator;
    • comparison of the marks and their distribution across markers;
    • automatic double-marking of all interim assessment receiving a fail grade, and of final assessments where a student’s overall result is a fail grade;
    • the availability of re-marking of assessments in accordance with Adelaide Law School’s Assessment Policies and Procedures.

    Approval of Results by Board of Examiners
    Students are reminded that all assessment results are subject to approval (and possible moderation/change) by the Law School’s Board of Examiners. Assessment results at the University are not scaled. Under the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, students are assessed ‘by reference to their performance against pre-determined criteria and standards … and not by ranking against the performance of the student cohort in the course’. However, under that same policy, the Board of Examiners (as the relevant Assessment Review Committee for courses at Adelaide Law School) is required to ‘ensure comparability of standards and consistency’ in assessment. On occasions, the Board of Examiners will form the view that some moderation is required to ensure the comparability of standards and consistency across courses and years, and accordingly provide fairness to all law students. All assessment results are therefore subject to approval (and possible change) until confirmed by the Board of Examiners and posted on Access Adelaide at the end of each semester.
  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
    The University Writing Centre provides academic learning and language development services and resources for local, international, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled at the University of Adelaide.

    The centre offers practical advice and strategies for students to master reading, writing, note-taking, time management, oral presentation skills, referencing techniques and exam preparation for success at university through seminars, workshops and individual consultations.

    Lex Salus Program
    Lex Salus (law and wellbeing) is an initiative of the Adelaide Law School aimed at destigmatising mental health issues; promoting physical, mental and emotional wellness; building a strong community of staff and students; and celebrating diversity within the school. It also seeks to promote wellness within the legal profession, through the involvement of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia, the Honourable Chris Kourakis, as the official Patron of the program.

    Students can participate in the Lex Salus program by attending barbecue lunches, pancake breakfasts, knitting and crochet circles, seminars, guest speakers, conferences and other activities. Our Facebook page, website and regular all-student emails promote upcoming events, and have tips and information on wellness.

    Our Lex Salus YouTube channel also includes videos on topics like managing stress, and interviews with LGBTQ lawyers and their supporters which celebrate diversity and individuality. Students who commit to 10 hours of volunteering with Lex Salus in one year can have their service recognised on their academic transcript and through a thank you morning tea with the Chief Justice and law school staff.

    Student Life Counselling Support
    The University’s Student Life Counselling Support service provides free and confidential service to all enrolled students. We encourage you to contact the Student Life Counselling Support service on 8313 5663 to make an appointment to deal with any issues that may be affecting your study and life.
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

    Academic Integrity
    All students must be familiar with the University’s Academic Integrity Policy. Academic Misconduct is a serious matter and is treated as such by the Law School and the University. Academic Misconduct (which goes beyond plagiarism) can be a ground for a refusal by the Supreme Court of South Australia to admit a person to practice as a legal practitioner in South Australia. Academic Integrity is an essential aspect of ethical and honest behaviour, which is central to the practice of the law and an understanding of what it is to be a lawyer.
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.