This interdisciplinary course introduces students to a cultural study of law by exposing students to the humanistic intellectual tradition within the liberal arts. 

The topics and readings are centred on the theme ‘Foundations of Law’. This theme bears an allusion to the first-year compulsory course ‘Foundations of Australian Law’, however, this course does not consider the foundations of any particular legal system. Instead, students will interrogate the foundational mythologies of law through the humanistic disciplines of classics, literature, philosophy and theology. Each of these present different modes and means of inquiring into the assumptions and aspirations that we ascribe to law.

To develop their knowledge and skills, students will complete readings and engage in interactive workshop discussions.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Critically analyse the relationship between law and the humanities.
   
2. Research and critically analyse the conceptual foundations of law within the humanistic intellectual tradition.
   
3. Critically reflect on the assumptions and aspirations of law.
   
4. Synthesise, critically evaluate and reflect, in written and oral form, on legal materials.
   
5. Formulate and execute interdisciplinary research in the area of law and the humanities.

Research-Led Teaching

This course draws on research in jurisprudence, law and religion, political theology, legal theory, and law and the humanities. Students will engage with foundational texts and contemporary theoretical approaches to examine the relationship between law, literature, theology, politics and social order.

Required Resources

Required readings will be made available on Canvas.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• class discussion
• written or verbal feedback on assessment tasks, where applicable

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Task submission times refer to Canberra time (AEST/AEDT).

Extensions, late submission and penalties: https://law.anu.edu.au/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Extenuating circumstances: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/extenuating-circumstances-application

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of grades policy: https://law.anu.edu.au/grading

Assessment Reviews and Appeals: https://law.anu.edu.au/assessment-review-and-appeals

Further information about the course: is available from the course Canvas page. Students are required to access the Canvas site regularly throughout the course for any announcements relating to the course.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The ANU Academic Integrity website (https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills/academic-integrity ) provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as providing clear guidance on the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies.

The following resources may also be useful:

• The ANU Library's Libguide (https://libguides.anu.edu.au/generative-ai ) is a valuable resource for gaining a comprehensive understanding of AI's role in academia.

• The ANU Academic Skills site (https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills ) provides useful information to ensure that you leverage AI responsibly and effectively.

• The ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy Academic Integrity and Misconduct site (https://law.anu.edu.au/academic-integrity-and-misconduct) provides content related to legal implications, ethical guidelines, and considerations when dealing with AI in the context of law.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Genesis ch 1-3: A Story of Creation	There are no lectures in this course. This course will be taught through a series of workshops. Attendance and participation in these workshops is compulsory. Please only enrol in this course if you are able to attend the workshops.
2	Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Discourse on Inequality
3	Genesis ch 22: A Story of Sacrifice
4	Carl Schmitt: Political Theology
5	Book of Exodus: A Story of Liberation
6	MID-SEMESTER TEST
7	Letter to the Romans: The End of the Law
8	William Blake: The Everlasting Gospel
9	Second Letter to the Thessalonians: The End of the World
10	Benedict of Nursia: The Rule of Benedict
11	Book of Revelation: The End of Time
12	Hannah Arendt: On Revolution

Tutorial Registration

There are no tutorials in this course.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Class Participation	10 %	02/11/2026	1,2
Mid-Semester Test (Research-based)	30 %	21/09/2026	3,4,5
Final Exam (Research-based)	60 %	09/12/2026	3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

For all courses taught in any mode (whether face to face or online), the ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy considers participation in the classes offered to be an important part of the educational experience of the program. Students are expected to attend all classes.

This course will be taught through a series of workshops. Attendance and participation in these workshops is compulsory. Please only enrol in this course if you are able to attend the workshops.

Examination(s)

Examinations are held during the University's examination period. Students are to consult the exam timetable when it has been finalised.

Assessment Task 1

Class Participation

Details of Task: This task will assess the student's ability to engage with the course materials as a critical and creative reader and participate in intellectual discussions based on the course materials. There are NO lectures in this course. This course will be taught through a series of workshops. Attendance and participation in these workshops are compulsory. Please only enrol in this course if you are able to attend the workshops. 

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete this assessment will result in a mark of 0 for this assessment task.

Weighting: 10%

Duration: Throughout the 12 weekly workshops in the course.

Estimated Return Date: Monday, 2 November 2026 via Canvas.

Assessment Criteria: The discussion in class should (a) be informed by the readings, and (b) engage with what others have said in class.

Assessment Task 2

Mid-Semester Test (Research-based)

Brief Description: There will be a mid-semester written test based on the course materials and prior independent research. A set of broad topics for the mid-semester test will be released in Week 1. Students will then have the opportunity to conduct independent research on those topics to supplement the course materials. The questions will be based on those topics. The test will cover materials from Week 1-5.

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to sit this test will result in a mark of 0 for this assessment task.

Weighting: 30%

Time, Date and Duration: The test will be conducted in class during the workshop in the week commencing 31 August 2026. The test will last for one hour.

Extenuating circumstances: If you experience extenuating circumstances and cannot attempt the assessment on the due date and time, you should apply to reschedule the assessment here. When submitting your request, please select the Assessment Extension button rather than the Extenuating Circumstances Application option, as this assessment is not an invigilated examination. The College will give you one final opportunity to complete the assessment during the workshop in the week commencing 7 September 2026. If you have already accessed the assessment, you will not be approved to reschedule and will need to complete the task by the due date. Late submission is not permitted. Time adjustments can be applied for this task but are not applied automatically. If you require a time adjustment, please apply here.

Estimated Return Date: The test will be returned to students in class during the workshop in the week commencing 21 September 2026.

Assessment Criteria: The test answer must engage with the course materials and the prescribed readings. Answers that do not adequately engage with the course materials and prescribed readings may fail this item of assessment.

Content

• Close, careful and thoughtful engagement with the course materials and the prescribed readings.
• Ability to evaluate materials critically.
• Quality and precision of supporting arguments.
• Ability to anticipate and respond to possible objections.
• Where necessary, use of appropriately chosen examples.

Structure

• Clarity and coherence of structure and argument.
• Construction of a sustained argument, including the avoidance of irrelevant discussion and repetition.

Expression

• Clarity and precision of use of language.
• Conventional spelling, grammar and syntax.
• Concise and focused expression.
• Prose easy to read, argument easy to follow.

Assessment Task 3

Final Exam (Research-based)

Brief Description: There will be a final written exam based on the course materials and prior independent research. A set of broad topics for the final exam will be released in Week 7. Students will then have the opportunity to conduct independent research on those topics to supplement the course materials. The exam questions will be based on those topics. The exam will cover materials from Week 1-12.

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to sit this exam will result in a mark of 0 for this assessment task.

Weighting: 60%

Time, Date and Duration: The exam will take place during the end-of-semester exam period. Students should consult the ANU Examination Timetable closer to the examination period to confirm the final time, date and duration of the examination. Because this is a formal examination, late submissions will not be accepted.

If you experience extenuating circumstances and are unable to sit the examination at its scheduled time and date, you should submit an Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA), via ANUHub, within five working days of the original date of the examination. Your application will be processed by the Examinations Office. If it is approved, they will notify you, via email, of the details of your deferred examination.

Estimated Return Date: 9 December 2026

Assessment Criteria: The exam answer must engage with the course materials and the prescribed readings. Answers that do not adequately engage with the course materials and prescribed readings may fail this item of assessment.

Content

• Close, careful and thoughtful engagement with the course materials and the prescribed readings.
• Ability to evaluate materials critically.
• Quality and precision of supporting arguments.
• Ability to anticipate and respond to possible objections.
• Where necessary, use of appropriately chosen examples.

Structure

• Clarity and coherence of structure and argument.
• Construction of a sustained argument, including the avoidance of irrelevant discussion and repetition.

Expression

• Clarity and precision of use of language.
• Conventional spelling, grammar and syntax.
• Concise and focused expression.
• Prose easy to read, argument easy to follow.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. You must ensure that you upload the correct document on the specified submission due date and time. Any document modified after the due date and time will either incur a late penalty or will NOT be accepted. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education), submission must be through Turnitin in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). Electronic copies in .pdf file format are not acceptable.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

• Late submission is not accepted for tests or examinations.

• Late submission with an extension. To ensure equity for all students, the 5% penalty per working day for late submission of work does not apply if you have been granted an extension. Where an extension is granted, the revised due date and submission time will be provided in writing. Importantly, any revised due date is inclusive of weekends and public holidays. Regardless of which day of the week the revised due date falls on, students who submit after that date will be penalised by 5% of the possible marks available for the task per 24-hour period.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

All marks and feedback will be provided by the return date listed in the class summary.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

• Maximum Submissions: Students can submit up to three times per assessment.

• Final Submission Counts: Only the last uploaded version will be marked — provided it is uploaded before marking begins.

• Late Submissions: If submitted after the due date, the final version will still be marked, but late penalties will apply (unless an extension has been approved).

• No Submissions After Return Date: Once the return-of-assessment date has passed, NO submissions will be accepted.

• Marking Already Started: If a marker has already begun marking a version, that version will be the one assessed — even if a newer one is uploaded later.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students