Foundations: Competition Law & Economics (LAWS90065)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
Contact information
January
Teaching staff:
Rhonda Smith (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office.
July
Teaching staff:
Rhonda Smith (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office.
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | January - Online July - Online |
|---|---|
| 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.
Important note on delivery
The teaching and learning activities in LAWS90065 Foundations: Competition Law & Economics run online across an 8-week extended study period.
This subject will primarily feature asynchronous online learning activities, including discussion boards. In addition, there will be 2-3 optional and essential live online classes delivered by the subject coordinator.
Make sure to check LMS Canvas for the latest information on the subject schedule, webinars and discussion board activities.
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: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into a relevant Melbourne Law Masters program
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS70010 | Economics for Competition Lawyers | No longer available |
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are taught at an advanced graduate level and requires a thorough background in common law. While efforts are made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, teaching and assessment activities are designed to give an advanced and integrated understanding of the discipline of law for legal practitioners, learners and researchers.
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Participation in and contributions to discussion board and tutorials | From Week 1 to Week 8 | 20% |
Mid-term written assignment
| Week 4 | 30% |
Final written exercise
| Week 9 | 50% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- January - Online
Principal coordinator Rhonda Smith Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 34 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 20 January 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 27 January 2025 to 23 March 2025 Last self-enrol date 21 January 2025 Census date 7 February 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 March 2025 Assessment period ends 30 March 2025 January contact information
Teaching staff:
Rhonda Smith (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office. - July - Online
Coordinator Rhonda Smith Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 34 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 14 July 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 21 July 2025 to 14 September 2025 Last self-enrol date 15 July 2025 Census date 1 August 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 29 August 2025 Assessment period ends 21 September 2025 July contact information
Teaching staff:
Rhonda Smith (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office.
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment, subject quotas and waitlists.
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If subject coordinator approval is required, or for further information about Community Access Program study, please contact us
(enquiries for current students | enquiries for prospective students).
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025