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Sport and the Law (LAWS20011)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2024
Overview
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This subject provides an account of how the law influences sport. Although the subject focuses on legal principles, it will bear in mind sport’s historical, cultural, social and economic context, including the drama and colour of sport’s major events and leading personalities. And although it is inevitably very much concerned with elite professional sports it is not dominated by them, and seeks to cover the widest possible range of sports, professional and amateur.
There will be two main themes to this subject: (1) sports organisation and governance and (2) sports scandals and regulations. The first theme will address the fundamentals of sports law – the organisation, dispute resolutions, contracts and employment, American model of sports. The second theme will then consider the main issues within sports, such as sports anti-doping, corruption, gambling and match-fixing, and human rights issues.
In sum, the subject is designed to cover fundamental and topical areas of sports law: sports law in general; sports organisation, contract and employment, dispute resolution, sports corruption; sports anti-doping; human rights. Finally, the module is designed around common law jurisdictions but is also informed by a comparative approach reflecting the global administration of sport.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- Introduce students to the legal doctrines and principles that oversee, influence and impact upon sport and the human, communitarian and commercial relationships that exist within sport.
- Examine the legal responsibilities of sports governing bodies domestically and internationally with regard to the regulatory, participatory, and financial aspects of modern sport
- Explore ideas about the juridification and commodification of sport and the legal rights of individual therein; critically evaluating the legal tools, including access to alternative means of justice, to achieve the protection of such rights;
- Critique the extant sporting legal system domestically and globally through case study perspectives, and explore opportunities to reform "sports law" so that it might better achieve its objectives.
Generic skills
- Acquired knowledge of the legal principles and regulatory systems relating to sport and including the participatory, regulatory and financial aspects thereof;
- Been introduced to the fundamental premises of rights and responsibilities within a legal system as they relate to the self-regulatory ecosystem that is sport both internationally and domestically;
- Used critical analysis skills to independently reflect and synthesise acquired knowledge so to demonstrate understanding of the legal rights and responsibilities of the various actors, entities and stakeholders within sport;
- Drafted an opinion on a hypothetical and topical problem in sport (and similarly in an exam situation) from a legal perspective, using written, research and analytical skills to justify and present an independently formed perspective.
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
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: 15 February 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Interim essay
| Week 7 | 35% |
Final essay (choice of 6 essays)
| During the examination period | 65% |
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance to tutorials is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Students must choose assessment from the options listed above. If an option contains parts, all parts must be completed if that option is chosen.
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2024
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.
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
- D. Thorpe et al, Sports Law, Sydney: Oxford University Press, 4th edition, 2012
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- 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.
- 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: 15 February 2024