Handbook home
Legal Theory (LAWS50031)
Graduate coursework level 5Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 2 November |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Legal Theory examines the nature of law, its role in society, and its relationship to morality and politics.
The questions we investigate have productive historical and conceptual traditions but no settled answers, and students will be encouraged to critically evaluate their own and others’ theories and arguments. To this end, the subject will examine a range of approaches, and assist students to further develop skills in critical analysis, reasoning and argument. The subject enables students to develop and evaluate their thinking about a number of theoretical questions, drawing on a range of conceptual approaches to the study of law.
In any one year, the specific topics to be studied in Legal Theory will be drawn from jurisprudence; law, society and culture; authority, politics and rule of law; or law, morality and ethics. These topics will be explored in the context of the plural traditions of legal theory, and by way of examples from debates about the character and role of law in society, both nationally and internationally.
Intended learning outcomes
The aim of the subject is for students to develop their conceptual understanding of law and of law’s key role in society. This understanding will be developed through individual close reading and class discussion of legal theory texts, and through collaborative analysis of contemporary political, social and ethical issues within law. Students who successfully complete the subject will be able to:
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of the key theories and theoretical questions, topics and issues explored in the course;
- Demonstrate the ability to independently read and comprehend theoretical texts, concepts and arguments;
- Demonstrate the ability to explicate, analyse and evaluate a range of theories, arguments and perspectives, in order to engage with complex conceptual questions at an abstract level; and
- Develop and communicate reasoned and justified arguments about questions and issues in legal theory.
Generic skills
Through completion of this subject students will have practised the following skills:
- Close reading and analysis of a range of sources, including legal theory texts and interdisciplinary materials;
- A capacity to engage in critical thinking, evaluation and independent thought at an abstract level;
- A capacity to communicate knowledge and understanding of complex ideas in oral and written forms, to defined audiences;
- The ability to write effectively in descriptive, analytical, critical and reasoned modes;
- The ability to consider responses to unfamiliar or challenging ethical issues;
- The ability to participate constructively as a member of a small class, with a high level of personal accountability; and
- Intercultural awareness and understanding, demonstrated through respect for the considered views and values of others.
Last updated: 31 October 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Successful completion of all the below subjects:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50023 | Legal Method and Reasoning |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50024 | Principles of Public Law |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
June (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50026 | Obligations |
May (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50025 | Torts |
November (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 31 October 2023
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Essay or equivalent assignment due in accordance with coordinated assessment as set by the lecturer
| During the teaching period | 45% |
Take Home Exam (2,500 words)
| During the assessment period | 45% |
Class participation | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Additional details
The due dates of the above assessment will be available to students via the Assessment Schedule on the LMS Community.
Last updated: 31 October 2023
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Shaun McVeigh Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours Total time commitment 144 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 - November
Coordinators Sarah Biddulph and Anna Arstein-Kerslake Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours Total time commitment 144 hours Pre teaching start date 2 November 2020 Pre teaching requirements 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 30 November 2020 to 18 December 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 February 2020 Census date 4 December 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 January 2021 Assessment period ends 22 January 2021
Additional delivery details
Semester 2 and November offering
- The semester 2 offering has a quota of 240
- The intensive offering is quota restricted to 160 students
Students will be approved to enter the intensive offering on a first-in basis. A waitlist will be maintained by Stop 1 once the quota has been met. Waitlisted students will be contacted if a place becomes available.
Students can apply for a waitlist place by completing an Enrolment Variation form. Students may speak to a Course Planning Advisor at Stop 1 with any queries regarding the waitlist.
Last updated: 31 October 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
- You may be required to consult a textbook based on your selected stream in this subject;
- Specialist materials will be made available on the LMS.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Juris Doctor - Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 October 2023