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Foundations: Competition Law & Economics (LAWS90065)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Term 1
Professor Caron Beaton-Wells (Coordinator), Program Director, Global Competition and Consumer Law
Dr Rhonda Smith (Coordinator), former Commissioner, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Term 3
Professor Caron Beaton-Wells (Coordinator), Program Director, Global Competition and Consumer Law
Dr Rhonda Smith (Coordinator), former Commissioner, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Overview
Availability | Term 1 - Online Term 3 - Online |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Competition Law is an area of law with mixed legal-economic content. The central disciplinary underpinning of competition law is economics. It is therefore essential that those practising in this field, whether as legal advisors to business, competition authority staff, or members of tribunals or courts have a solid grounding in the economic theories, concepts and techniques that underpin the policy, law and enforcement in this field.
This foundational subject introduces students to the history and spread of competition law across the world over the last century and to the range of objectives, influenced by various economic schools of thought, that have informed its development in different places and at different times. It ensures that students are well-versed in core economic vocabulary, concepts and frameworks and the ways in which they are translated into categories of legal prohibitions and enforcement approaches, common to all competition systems.
The subject sets the foundation for the course, providing crucial groundwork that will equip students to confidently tackle the economic content of the remaining subjects in greater detail. While the subject includes material with basic numerical equations, examples and diagrams, it does not require students to have advanced mathematical or statistical background knowledge or skills.
Highlights of the subject include:
- Practical application of economic concepts and techniques through problem-based learning activity; and
- Expositions and insights from leading economists and practitioners on various aspects of economics and the role of economists in competition law and practice.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will have:
- Developed important foundational knowledge about the historical origins and development of competition systems, the policy objectives of the law, and the role of economics in the design and application of competition law;
- Started to develop specialised cognitive and technical skills that equip them to independently and critically analyse and apply economic concepts and theories relevant to competition law; and
- Shown a capacity to use the knowledge and skills they have gained in the subject in a way that demonstrates effective autonomy, judgment, adaptability and responsibility as an expert learner and practitioner in the field of global competition and consumer law.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS70010 | Economics for Competition Lawyers | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
Term 1
- Participation in and contributions to discussion board and tutorials, Weeks 1-8 (10%)
- Mid-term practical exercise (max 1000 words), Week 4 (20%)
- Consolidation practical exercise (max 2000 words), Week 7 (30%)
- Final practical exercise (max 4000 words), Week 9 (40%)
Term 3
- Participation in and contributions to discussion board and tutorials, Weeks 1-8 (20%)
- Mid-term practical exercise (max 3000 words), Week 4 (30%)
- Final practical exercise (max 5000 words), Week 9 (50%)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Term 1 - Online
Principal coordinator Rhonda Smith Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 80 hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 9 January 2017 Pre teaching requirements During the pre-teaching period, students should familiarise themselves with the online platform and may like to take the opportunity to read through preliminary information about the subject and the services and support that is available to them. Students are encouraged to use this time to also introduce themselves to peers and teaching staff and to learn about those they will be studying with throughout the term. Teaching period 16 January 2017 to 12 March 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 January 2017 Census date 3 February 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 February 2017 Assessment period ends 17 March 2017 Term 1 contact information
Professor Caron Beaton-Wells (Coordinator), Program Director, Global Competition and Consumer Law
Dr Rhonda Smith (Coordinator), former Commissioner, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
- Term 3 - Online
Principal coordinator Rhonda Smith Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 80 hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 10 July 2017 Pre teaching requirements During the pre-teaching period, students should familiarise themselves with the online platform and may like to take the opportunity to read through preliminary information about the subject and the services and support that is available to them. Students are encouraged to use this time to also introduce themselves to peers and teaching staff and to learn about those they will be studying with throughout the term. Teaching period 17 July 2017 to 10 September 2017 Last self-enrol date 11 July 2017 Census date 4 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 25 August 2017 Assessment period ends 15 September 2017 Term 3 contact information
Professor Caron Beaton-Wells (Coordinator), Program Director, Global Competition and Consumer Law
Dr Rhonda Smith (Coordinator), former Commissioner, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Time commitment details
150 hours Students are expected to log into the LMS and familiarise themselves with the subject, layout, navigation, activities, readings and assessments the week before formal teaching begins. Students will not be expected to complete any set tasks or readings but will be asked to introduce themselves to their student cohort on the discussion board and will be encouraged to make a start on readings for the first module at least.
Additional delivery details
This subject is delivered completely online and there are no printed subject materials.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022