Section 1 General Information
Other Study and Resource Requirements
Students are expected to attend classes with the required textbook and to read specific chapters prior to the tutorials. This will allow them to actively take part in discussions.
Students will require access to the internet and email and should have elementary skills in both word processing and electronic spread sheet software such as MS W ord and MS Excel.
Computers are available for student use in the Library. You should plan well in advance to utilise these resources. Students are encouraged to make use of the campus Library for reference materials.
Resource requirements specific to this subject:
Course notes will be made available by your lecturers and these, with the textbook, should be brought to the formal assessments to assist students.
Section 2 - Academic Details
Overview of the Subject
Students studying will learn the history, ethical framework and basic structures of the Australian Legal System. They will also learn how to research legal problems using both hardcopy and online resources. The main areas of substantive law covered are property including securities, tort & crime, contract, competition and consumer protection, agency, insurance, insolvency and an introduction to business structures including trusts
Graduate Attributes for Postgraduate Courses
Graduates of Postgraduate courses from King's Own Institute have demonstrated they have gained the graduate attributes expected from successful completion of a Master's degree under the Australian Qualifications Framework (2nd edition, January 2013). Graduates at this level will have an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice or scholarship and as a pathway for further learning.
Detailed Description
An advanced body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in the specialisation and related areas of study.
Skills in critical thinking to identify and analyse current theories and developments and emerging trends in professional practice.
Communication and technical skills to analyse and theorise, contribute to professional practice or scholarship and present ideas to a variety of audiences.
Communication and technical skills to access and evaluate information resources, justify research approaches and interpret theoretical propositions.
Cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, concepts and theories, solve complex problems and apply established theories to situations faced in professional practice.
Informed appreciation and accountability for ethical practices, cultural sensitivity and social responsibility both personally and professionally.
Initiative, leadership skills and ability to work professionally and collaboratively to achieve team objectives across a range of team roles.
High level personal autonomy, judgement decision-making and accountability required to begin professional practice.
Subject Learning Outcomes
a) Describe the institutions of government and how laws are made and enforced and analyse the role of law as it applies to business.
b) Research and analyse contemporary legal issues, analyse, structure and synthesise and present reasoned arguments.
c) Discuss and critically analyse the legal principles that apply to a business and legal aspects of contemporary case studies.
d) Apply the law to solve legal problems and present reasoned arguments to support the conclusions.
Research and Presentation Project - group assessment with individual component.
Purpose: To allow students to apply and demonstrate research, analysis and communication skills to an area of business law that is undergoing change or is significant topical interest. This contributes to Learning Outcomes a, b, c and d.
1. Written Report summarising the main points covered in the presentation.
2. Slides
3. Other aids to learning used by the presenters.
4. Minutes of Meetings outlining how the work was delegated and assessment as to how well it was performed by each member in the group.
Topic: An area of business law that is undergoing change, that is being legislated or a significant case decision or of topical importance in the press. Groups should choose their own topic; however, if students in the group can't agree on an acceptable topic, the lecturer will provide one.
Task Details:
Forming into Groups and Selecting the Topic.
Students will be asked to form into groups for the purpose of selecting a business law area that is undergoing change that is being legislated or a significant case decision or of topical importance in the press. If students in the group can't agree on an acceptable topic, then the lecturer will provide one.
Researching the Topic
Once the topic has been determined, each group will organise their members to collect, read and synthesise the available materials in both hard copy and digital forms. Then during the semester, students will be expected to discuss with their lecturer on the progress of the research. In particular, by week 2 or 3, each group will be required to register their members' details and topic with their lecturer or Tutor. Then in week 6 they will be required to show their tutors the extent of their research in terms of articles, cases and legislation (as appropriate) that they have read and found to be relevant. Each group will then need to structure this information and prepare the presentation, report and aids, such as slides. Then in week 7, students will show their tutors the draft structure of the presentation with allocations of students and timings.
Presentation:
During weeks 8, 9 & 10 the groups will present their findings to the class. It is essential that students be clear as to the theme and consider ways of making the presentation relevant and interesting to the class. To assist, it is expected that each group presentation will include slides, multimedia and a written report to accompany or assist in student learning.
There needs to be at least 12 slides per student presenter, clearly identified with student name and number. Students will be expected to present orally for between 6 to 8 minutes and they will be timed to ensure equity for all.
It is expected that students will consider making their presentation interesting and relevant to the audience. Reasonable allowance will be made for language difficulties. However, higher marks will be allocated to the students who are able to concisely and clearly explain their portion without just reading from the slides. The presentation must show the students have researched and understood what they are presenting.
To accompany the presentation there needs to be a written report from each group divided into chapters. This is not meant to be a formal essay, but rather the script used in preparing the presentation. Each student presenter needs to prepare a chapter which will add detail to the oral presentation. Each chapter should be approx. 2,000 words in length. There would need to be consideration to ensure the report has an overall theme, structure, introduction and conclusion The report needs to include an index and bibliography.