Handbook home
Defamation Law (LAWS70181)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
November
Lecturers
Associate Professor Jason Bosland (Coordinator)
Dr Matt Collins QC
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | November |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
There is no international consensus as to an appropriate balance by defamation laws between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation. The increasingly cross-border nature of communications has heightened the potential for conflict between different jurisdictions’ laws. This subject examines Australia’s defamation law and practice alongside a close analysis of other important common law jurisdictions, particularly the United Kingdom and North America, to enable students to analyse, apply and critically evaluate defamation laws in contemporary contexts.
The subject brings together two leading media law experts. Associate Professor Jason Bosland is the Deputy Director of the Centre for Media and Communications Law and Dr Matt Collins QC is an Australian barrister and author of a leading international text on defamation law.
Principal topics include:
- Elements of the cause of action: publication, identification, defamatory meaning
- Truth-related defences
- Fair comment and honest opinion
- Privilege and fair report defences
- Other defences
- Jurisdiction and choice of law
- Remedies and practice
- Related causes of action
- English and American defamation law: comparative focus.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Have an advanced and integrated detailed understanding of the ways in which Australian defamation laws regulate free speech and the right to reputation
- Have a sophisticated appreciation of the key differences between Australian defamation laws and the defamation laws of other important common law countries, principally England and the United States
- Be able to examine critically and analyse independently the law and divergent legal norms in Australian, English and American defamation law
- Have a detailed appreciation of how modern and global media of communication have challenged traditional principles for regulating freedom of speech and the right to reputation.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Melbourne Law Masters Students: None
JD Students: Successful completion of all the below subjects:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50028 | Constitutional Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50029 | Contracts | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50027 | Dispute Resolution | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50023 | Legal Method and Reasoning | Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50031 | Legal Theory |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
November (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50026 | Obligations | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50024 | Principles of Public Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50036 | Remedies |
November (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50025 | Torts |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
November (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
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
- Take-home examination (5,000 - 6,000 words) (100%) (11 - 14 January 2019)
or - Research paper (8,000 - 10,000 words) (100%) (25 February 2019) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
A minimum of 75% attendance is a hurdle requirement.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- November
Coordinator Jason Bosland Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24-34 hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 31 October 2018 Pre teaching requirements The pre-teaching period commences four weeks before the subject commencement date. From this time, students are expected to access and review the Reading Guide that will be available from the LMS subject page and the subject materials provided by the subject coordinator, which will be available from Melbourne Law School. Refer to the Reading Guide for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 28 November 2018 to 4 December 2018 Last self-enrol date 31 October 2018 Census date 28 November 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 18 January 2019 Assessment period ends 25 February 2019 November contact information
Lecturers
Associate Professor Jason Bosland (Coordinator)
Dr Matt Collins QCEmail: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students.
Enrolment is on a first come, first served basis. Waitlists are maintained for subjects that are fully subscribed.
Students should note priority of places in subjects will be given as follows:
- To currently enrolled Graduate Diploma and Masters students with a satisfactory record in their degree
- To other students enrolling on a single subject basis, eg Community Access Program (CAP) students, cross-institutional study and cross-faculty study.
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist printed materials will be made available free of charge from the Melbourne Law School prior to the pre-teaching period.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Communications Law Course Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies Course Master of Commercial Law Course Master of Laws Course Master of Public and International Law - 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.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-admissions@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
Last updated: 3 November 2022