Subject description

This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of constitutional law, including: an overview of the history and outline of our federal and state constitutional arrangements; identifying approaches to constitutional interpretation and the role of the High Court; outlining the nature of federal legislative power, with a focus on one or … For more content click the Read More button below.

Enrolment rules

Pre-Requisite

Equivalence

LLB 230 - Administrative Law
LLB 280 - Constitutional Law

Tutorial enrolment

Students can enrol online via the Tutorial Enrolment link in SOLS

Delivery

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Teaching staff

Subject coordinators

Lecturers

Tutors

Engagement hours

Contact Hours:1 hour online lecture, 2 hour seminar per week

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
1.
Evaluate the origins of our constitutional arrangements; the structures of power; and the federal legal framework created by the Constitution;
2.
Advance an informed opinion on the constitutional validity of legislation in relation to different fact situations;
3.
Critically engage with and assess the effect of the High Court’s decisions in relation to the distribution of State and Federal legislative power and the scope of express and implied limits on legislative power;
4.
Analyse the nature of the relationships between the Commonwealth, States and Territories established by the Constitution, and the relationships between the legislative, executive and judicial arms of government, including the separation of judicial power;
5.
Evaluate the position of Indigenous Australians under the current Constitution and proposals for constitutional recognition; and
6.
Critically examine the process of constitutional change in Australia.

Assessment details

Engagement

Mid-Term Written Assignment

Presentation based on mid-term written assignment

Final Exam

Work integrated learning

Foundational WIL:This subject contains elements of "Foundational WIL". Students in this subject will observe, explore or reflect on possible career pathways or a work-related aspect of their discipline.

Contact details

Faculty contact

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