Undergraduate UNE-LAW399-2022

Constitutional Law

Duration

16 weeks

Study method

Online & on-campus

Available loans

FEE-HELP

Assessments

Subjects may require attendance

Prior study

Required

The University of New England is the only Australian public university to be awarded the maximum 5 stars for Overall Experience by the Good Universities Guide, 13 years in a row. UNE has delivered distance education since 1955—that’s longer than any other Australian university. Perhaps that’s why students continue to rate UNE so highly for student satisfaction and teaching quality. With over 170 degrees offered online, and more than 20,000 online students, UNE is the expert in online education.

QS RANKING 2022

Times Higher Education Ranking 2022

N/A

2022

Subject details

What you'll learn

Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to:

demonstrate cognitive awareness and an ability to analyse the broader principles of the context and the principles underpinning the Commonwealth Constitution; and perspectives of nationhood;
use technical skills in analysing the specialist key constitutional concepts and doctrines, including the techniques and principles of constitutional interpretation, characterisation, and the separation of powers in discussing constitutional issues;
identify, analyse and evaluate the powers and functions of the principal branches of government in Australia and their relationship with each other for the purpose of testing the validity of legislative action;
use initiative and professional judgment to engage in critical analysis of the High Court's decisions involving the interpretation and application of the Constitutional provisions, particularly when this involves determining the demarcation of power between the Commonwealth and the States;
demonstrate coherent and effective written communication skills in discussing and analysing a topic on constitutional law, or formulating an advice that applies the principles of constitutional law to a hypothetical problem; and
demonstrate the ability to clearly identify, comprehend, interpret, analyse and apply constitutional law documentation of a substantive, procedural and unit based nature in assessments.

Topics covered

- Topics will be available to enrolled students in the subjects Learning Management System site approximately one week prior to the commencement of the teaching period.

Entry requirements

You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:

UNE-LAW313-Evidence and Proof

and

UNE-LAW100-Foundations of Law

and one of

and

UNE-LAW102-Legal Professional Skills

and one of

UNE-LAW162-Criminal Law
UNE-LAW312-Criminal and Civil Procedure (No longer available)

and one of

and

UNE-LAW101-Law in Context

and

UNE-LAW131-Torts Law

and one of

UNE-LAW172-Contract Law
UNE-LAW272-Law of Contract II (No longer available)

Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s)

Others

Candidature in Bachelor of Laws (4 Years). To enrol in this subject you will need to pass the Prerequisite/s. Please note as UNE results are released after the close of enrolment date, your enrolment into this subject will be withdrawn if you do not pass the prerequisite subject/s.

Additional requirements

Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media) Headset, including microphone (highly recommended) Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or media presentations).
Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units, regardless of whether they contain an on campus attendance or intensive school component. For additional information please visit UNE Hardware Requirements: https://www.une.edu.au/current-students/support/it-services/hardware
Travel requirements - Travel may be required to attend the Final Examination this subject.
Other requirements -
Textbook requirements:

Textbook information is not available until approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the Teaching period.

Students are expected to purchase prescribed material.

Textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Description

This subject studies the theory and practice of the law of government in Australia. It focuses primarily on the Commonwealth Constitution and role of High Court of Australia in its interpretation. It studies the powers and workings of the three branches of government as reflected in the chapter structure of the Constitution - the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. You will also explore the NSW Constitution law-making powers and consider the key restraints upon Commonwealth executive and legislative power. The role of the High Court and the distribution of powers between the Commonwealth and States is central to all these topics. You will gain an awareness of the unique knowledge and skills required of legal professionals to understand constitutional law, which will add valuable insights to benefit your career.

Assessments

Assignment 1: Case - Section Reading, Interpretation and Application online quizzes: 2000 words. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-6 Open Book Examination: 2000 words. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-6 There is a supervised exam at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit. UNE manages supervised exams associated with your UNE subjects. Prior to census date, UNE releases exam timetables. They’ll email important exam information directly to your UNE email address.

Assignment 1 (40%)
Open Book Examination (60%)

Textbooks

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