Legal Issues in Arts and Media (PUBL90014)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject addresses ethical issues and legal constraints related to working in the arts and culture sector, including publishing for print and digital media. It will review existing ethical codes and the mechanisms established to police them, as well as offering an overview of how practices are shaped by law relating to such matters as intellectual property, contracts, negligence, privacy, defamation and respect for cultural differences. On successfully completing this subject, students will have gained an understanding of a wide range of ethical and legal considerations for their professional practice.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Discuss standard media and arts industry practices, codes of conduct and legal instruments
- Argue what the respective roles of arts, media, and legal professionals are in dealing with ethical and legal issues
- Investigate the impact on arts, media and publishing practice of laws pertaining to such matters as intellectual property, contractual obligations, negligence, privacy, defamation and respecting cultural differences
- Judge the issues involved in recent high-profile cases where standards have been breached
- Defend arguments that inform the broader intellectual debates on legal issues that impact upon media and arts management
- Apply ethical and legal knowledge to their own arts, media and publishing practice.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- High-level written and oral communication skills through contribution to class discussions and the completion of assignments
- A capacity for effective teamwork through group discussions
- Skills in cultural and ethical understanding of the cultural role of books and readings and the responsibilities of publishers
- Skills in research through the preparation of class papers and assignments, including the use of online as well as print-based materials
- Skills in time management and planning through managing workloads for recommended reading, tutorial presentations and assessment requirements
- A capacity for critical thinking through the use of readings and discussion to develop an understanding of the considerations that underpin law and ethics
- A capacity for theoretical analysis through engagement with a range of texts that offer different perspectives on publishing as a component of the wider field of cultural practices.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
AMGT90002 Arts Law
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 |
|---|---|---|
A case-study based assignment
| Mid semester | 40% |
In-class presentation and case note. Case note submitted the week after presenting on the case in class. A case note template will be provided.
| Throughout the teaching period | 20% |
An essay
| During the examination period | 40% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures where offered. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Lj Maher Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Total 30 hours: 1.5 hour lecture and 1.5 hour tutorial, taught weekly Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Dr Lj Maher: laura-jane.maher@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
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: 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
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025