Foundations of Law
UndergraduateTAS-LAW1072025
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Enrol by
- 13 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Start dates
- 24 Feb 2025,
- 21 July 2025
- Price from
- $2,142
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Foundations of Law
About this subject
Upon completion of this subject, the student will be able to:
- Describe and explain the origins and structure of Australia’s legal system, including history, institutions, principles and sources of law.
- Explain and critique the recognition of First Australians in the Australian Legal System over time.
- Identify and respond to ethical issues at an introductory level.
- Communicate effectively and persuasively in verbal and written formats and support arguments with relevant literature.
- Work collaboratively and independently.
- Key Elements of the Australian Legal System
- The Australian Constitution
- Case Law and the Australian Court System
- Australian Legislation
- Professionalism in Legal Practice
- Indigenous Legal Systems: Historical Perspectives; Building Reconciliation and Cultural Intelligence
- Building Reconciliation in Tasmania
- The Context for Global Legal Practice
- Comparative Lawyering
- Public and Private International Law
- Digital Lawyering
This subject introduces you to the key elements of domestic Australian and Indigenous legal systems, and considers how they compare with other legal systems around the world. You will gain an introduction into how law is made in Australia by courts and the legislature, within Australia’s constitutional framework, and consider how Tasmania’s legislature and the courts have addressed contemporary and historical social issues. You will consider how a person’s place within society influences the way they perceive and evaluate law and will be introduced to several ethical issues and rules that arise for different actors within the legal system. This will be your first opportunity to learn skills that are fundamental to your future studies and careers in law: working effectively in small groups; critical thinking; how to read and take good notes from class and texts; and how to manage study time to achieve success in law.
- Quiz (15%)
- Examination (40%)
- Contribution to Workshop Discussions (10%)
- Case Activated Learning (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 20
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangement: Lecture: 2 hours weekly (Interactive lectures across the study period) Workshop: 1 hour weekly online tutorial (commencing in Week 1 of semester)
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateTAS-LST-DIP
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.