Japanese Law (LAWS90244)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2025
About this subject
Overview
| Fees | Look up fees |
|---|
This course provides you with an overview of the operation of Japanese law and practise in what is traditionally described as a so-called civil law system. The course also addresses questions of legal theory and comparative law, and will introduce you to practical ways of approaching comparative law through analysis of some of the sociological and economic theories and debates about the nature and role of law in Japan. Your participation provides an opportunity for you to read and think about approaches to, and limitations of, comparative study of Asian legal systems.
Law and practice are the foci of this course. You can expect to make extensive use of Japanese legislation and legal writing, as well as survey literature from sociology, history or politics. Based around a range of English-language resources, we use a range of teaching methods in this course, including lectures, seminars, class discussion, film, documentaries and the Internet.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should have:
- A sophisticated understanding of a range of areas of Japanese law and legal system which can be applied to critically analyse and evaluate issues arising in contemporary Japanese law and legal system.
- Demonstrated an ability to critically analyse, engage with and evaluate key debates about Japanese law and legal system, including its institutional structures, procedures and law-making processes.
- Better reflect on their learning about Australian law and legal system by comparison with their learning about Japanese law and legal system from this course.
Generic skills
On completion of the subject, students should have developed their skills in the following ways:
- the ability to read and analyse a range of sources critically to formulate and articulate independent views which integrate current scholarship on Japanese law and legal system;
- the ability to find Japanese statutes and cases via English-language sources and use them effectively to interpret, evaluate and solve legal problems;
- for those students undertaking the research essay, the ability to conduct in-depth research independently and write up research findings based on well-developed arguments;
- ability to respond to, and effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, nuanced arguments about Japanese law and legal system;
- the ability to plan and manage time to enable an advanced contribution to class discussion and achieve successful assessment outcomes; and
- intercultural sensitivity and nuanced understanding of issues arising in another legal system.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50023 | Legal Method and Reasoning | Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50024 | Principles of Public Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50028 | Constitutional Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50029 | Contracts | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50031 | Legal Theory |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
November (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AND
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50032 | Administrative Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Note: these can be taken concurrently (at the same time)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
While it is not necessary to have a knowledge of Japan prior to the commencement of this subject, students with a background in Japanese language or studies you will be encouraged to use those skills for classroom discussion and assessment purposes.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Option 1: Essay
| During the examination period | 100% |
Option 2: Exam
| During the assessment period | 100% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2025
Additional delivery details
This subject has an enrolment quota of 60 students.
All timely JD elective enrolments are subject to a selection process, which the Academic Support Office will perform after the timely re-enrolment period ends. Late self-enrolment is on a first-in basis up to quota.
Please refer to the Melbourne Law School website for further information about the management of subject quotas.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
Last updated: 4 March 2025