Unit rationale, description and aim
Foundations of law and legal research is a unit that introduces students to their law degree. It provides a clear framework for understanding what the law is, where it comes from, and how to find it, interpret it and apply it.
The unit aims to introduce students to foundational legal knowledge and core legal professional skills, such as legal problem solving, how to conduct legal research, how to interpret case law and legislation, and how to write and cite in accordance with professional conventions.
In this unit, students will build crucial skills in legal reading, writing and research while gaining the knowledge needed to understand legislation and judicial precedents. This foundational knowledge and skill set will support their ability to interpret the law effectively and apply it to solve legal problems.
The LLB is an accredited degree for admission as a legal practitioner.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Understand the origins and functioning of the Aust...
Learning Outcome 01
Find and interpret various sources of law
Learning Outcome 02
Identify legal issues and apply relevant laws to f...
Learning Outcome 03
Communicate legal findings following the essential...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- The origins of our laws and legal system
- The fundamental principles of precedent and judicial decision-making
- The fundamental principles of statutory interpretation
- The fundamentals of legal research and citation
- Professional legal writing skills and good study practices
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks for this unit are constructively aligned with the LOs, providing a clear pathway from theoretical understanding to practical application.
The first assessment focuses on communication and engagement, requiring students to demonstrate their understanding of the Australian Legal System and their ability to find and interpret various sources of law (LO1, LO2). Active engagement in discussion facilitates feedback from peers and teachers, challenging students’ interpretations of legal concepts and encouraging further exploration.
Assessment Task 2 is a formative assessment that involves a research activity designed to further develop students’ skills in locating and interpreting legal sources. This task helps students identify legal issues and apply relevant laws effectively (LO1, LO2, LO3).
Assessment Task 3 is a summative assessment where students must demonstrate their ability to identify a legal issue and relevant facts, locate and evaluate judicial precedents and legislative provisions, and interpret them according to the principles of statutory interpretation. This assessment requires students to show their understanding and application of professional legal writing and research, including citating legal materials in accordance with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4).
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Communication and Engagement ...
Assessment Task 1: Communication and Engagement
This assignment requires the active participation of students in skills-based activities. This includes analysis of the assigned materials, contributing to class discussions, and working together in building well-reasoned, evidence-supported arguments.
20%
Assessment Task 2: W ritten assignment This writ...
Assessment Task 2: Written assignment
This written assignment requires students to demonstrate their ability to locate, read and evaluate primary and secondary sources of law and practice the application of conventions of legal writing and legal citation.
35%
Assessment Task 3 : Problem Solving This assignm...
Assessment Task 3: Problem Solving
This assignment requires students to address a legal issue, demonstrating their ability to locate and interpret judicial precedents and legislative provisions. Students must communicate their findings following the standards of the legal profession.
45%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit combines face-to-face and online formats to progressively build student’s understanding of legal foundations, methods, and independent learning. By integrating self-paced online learning with real-time classes, the unit fosters student-centred active learning while accommodating diverse student needs. This approach is designed to maximise engagement with course content and facilitate meaningful interaction among peers and instructors.
Over a 12-week semester, students will engage with 12 lectures and attend 12 tutorials, developing skills in active reading, critical thinking, the use of primary and secondary sources of law, interpreting statutes and referencing in accordance with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.
Our strategy is to encourage students to actively engage with both the unit content and their peers,; to provide a clear link between clearly linking lecture content with and tutorial practicum to develop skills that bridge the gap between theory and practice. Within an integrated learning framework, lectures will provide core content relating to our legal system introduce core legal concepts and instil curiosity about their real-life application, which is further explored in tutorialsbegin the process of exploration, which will be followed by detailed explanation and further investigation in tutorials. Through direct interaction between students and with teachers, students are encouraged to engage in critical analysis of critically analyse the foundational knowledge they acquire,; to test that knowledge by applying it to factual situationsreal-world scenarios, ; to produce solutions supported by legal authorities and arguments;, and to reflect on their learning. Each component is intended to builds on existing knowledge and skills, and progressively scaffold student learning.
The online learning platforms used in this unit provide offer multiple preparatory and practice opportunities to guide in-class and out-of-class study. The technology provides student-focused assistance in the form of including online learning resources, notices, assessment information (including online submission, marking and return of results/feedback), is student focused,affording greater accessibility and flexibility to the learning experience.
ACU Online
This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.