Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Course

The study of law develops problem-solving skills and powers of analysis. It teaches precise and imaginative use of language. It also promotes ethical thinking and a focus on justice and fairness. It enhances students' thinking, reasoning and expressive abilities within legal and related contexts, leading to employment in the legal profession, law reform agencies, government service or other relevant areas of employment.

The objectives of the LLB program at Monash are to enable students to:

• gain an understanding of basic legal concepts and institutions and of the historical, social, political and economic factors influencing the development of legal concepts and legal institutions
• identify, use and evaluate the concepts, principles, rules and methods used in legal argument
• develop oral and written skills, especially of legal argument, legal research and critical analysis
• develop in students an understanding of concepts of justice, a concern to promote justice and an appreciation of their professional responsibilities.

Arts graduates are expected to:

• develop the intellectual capabilities inherent in the interpretation of sources of knowledge
• develop the capacity for quantitative and qualitative analysis, critique and creative thinking in various humanities, arts and social science disciplines
• develop an understanding of the present interpretations and potential future developments in the issues underlying the content of and approaches to the disciplines they study
• become aware of the combination of personal and cultural understandings, ethical attitudes, and (where appropriate) the physical and aesthetic appreciations that underpin the traditional liberal arts education provided by the faculty
• develop the skills of written and oral presentation, argument and analysis, including other practical skills such as computer skills, as are appropriate to the disciplines they study
• demonstrate the capacity to apply these studies in the changing circumstances of intellectual life and of the profession they are likely to inhabit
• have an understanding of international trends and of the intellectual context of economic, technological and social change
• develop the skills and attitudes required to undertake life-long learning.

Admission to practice: Disciplinary reports

Warning to students of consequences of cheating or general misconduct

Students should note that a local applicant applying for admission to practise law in Victoria is required by the Admission Rules 2008 to provide to the Board of Examiners:

(1.) a report from the university disclosing any disciplinary action taken against the student during the course (including any finding under the University Discipline Statute that the student has cheated in an assessment); and

(2.) an affidavit stating that the applicant has made full written disclosure of "every matter which a reasonable applicant would consider that the Board of Examiners might regard as not being favourable to the applicant". This may include an incident of academic or general misconduct, even if it did not lead to disciplinary action.

The Board of Examiners will consider these matters in assessing whether the applicant is a 'fit and proper person to be admitted to the legal profession'.

The Bachelor of Laws course consists of 12 compulsory units which must be completed by all students enrolled in an LLB program plus a further six 'quasi-compulsory' units which must be completed by students who wish to be qualified for admission to practice as a barrister or solicitor in Victoria. The remainder of the program consists of law elective units chosen by the student. Refer to 'Bachelor of Laws - basic course structure' at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/undergrad/law-08.html. The award of an honours degree in law is based on the weighted average of marks obtained in Monash law units.

The Bachelor of Arts course requires that students complete 96 points of arts units consisting of three first-year sequences of study, a major sequence in an arts discipline, a minor sequence in another arts discipline and two additional arts elective units. Refer to the Faculty of Arts areas of study in this Handbook at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/aos/index-ug-byfaculty-arts.html for a list of the arts disciplines available.

First year - 48 points

• LAW1101 Introduction to legal reasoning
• LAW1104 Research and writing
• LAW2101 Contract A
• LAW2102 Contract B
• 24 points of first-year units from the Faculty of Arts consisting of two units each from two different arts disciplines

Second year - 54 points

• LAW3301 Criminal law and procedure A
• LAW3302 Criminal law B
• 12 points of first-year units from the Faculty of Arts, consisting of two units of study in one arts discipline
• 12 points of second-year units from the Faculty of Arts, consisting of two units in the minor sequence
• 12 points of second-year units from the Faculty of Arts, consisting of two units in the major discipline
• 6 points of any year-level units from any Faculty of Arts discipline

Third year - 54 points

• LAW2201 Torts A
• LAW2202 Torts B
• LAW3401 Property A
• LAW3402 Property B
• 24 points of third-year units, or 18 points of third-year and 6 points of second-year units from the Faculty of Arts, consisting of four units in the major area of study
• 6 points of any year-level units from any Faculty of Arts discipline

Fourth year - 48 points

• LAW3201 Constitutional law
• LAW4169 Equity
• LAW4170 Trusts
• LAW4171 Corporations law
• 24 points of elective law units

Fifth year - 48 points

• LAW3101 Administrative law
• LAW5104 Civil procedure
• LAW5125 Lawyers, ethics and society
• LAW5159 Evidence
• 24 points of elective law units

Students may undertake honours in arts at the end of three years of study, provided they have met the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts program and completed a minimum of 144 points of total study. See the course entry for the Honours degree of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws. Note: International student visa holders are not eligible to undertake the Honours degree of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws.

Students may graduate with the Bachelor of Arts at the end of three years of study, provided they have met the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts program and completed a minimum of 144 points of total study.

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Laws

Bachelor of Laws (with Honours)

Where more than one award is listed for one or both components of the double degree the actual award(s) conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved, or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.