From the iconography of the Roman Empire to the coat of arms in a courtroom, and from the Renaissance to the Internet, visual media have been integral to the expression and communication of legal ideas. Studying works of visual art allows us to delve deeply into our legal values and ideologies. While artists have often turned the spirit of justice and the power of the law into visual form, they have also been prominent critics of it. Injustice and suffering are given a vivid presence and emotional weight through the visual arts, in ways that have often led the law to fear its capacity to disturb and challenge us.

This course introduces students to a flourishing new area of transdisciplinary study. It provides an overview of key texts that introduce theories and methods in law and visual studies. The course then explores a diverse range of topical case studies that examine law through art and art through law, including themes such as Justice, Power, Ideology, Colonialism, Environment, and War. Students will embark on an intellectual journey from the Ghazi Stadium in Kabul to the Supreme Court of Mexico, and from nineteenth-century Van Diemen’s Land to contemporary Australian masterworks. Throughout this journey, students will learn to perceive both law and art through new perspectives, fundamentally transforming their understanding of these fields.

To develop their knowledge and skills, students will engage in a range of learning activities, including seminars, group projects and research work. 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Evaluate, compare and critically analyse a complex variety of textual and visual sources. 
2. Compare and appraise research and methods in the fields of legal theory, law, visual studies and art history, with specific reference to the case studies chosen during the course. 
3. Evaluate and critically reflect on scholarship and critical approaches to law and justice as these are raised, explored, and depicted in both historical and contemporary visual materials.
   
4. Explore and critically reflect on key contemporary debates shared across the disciplines of law and visual studies including sovereignty, ideology, aesthetics, iconography, and identity. 
5. Develop independent research skills by planning and executing advanced transdisciplinary research in the area of law and visual studies.

Research-Led Teaching

The course reflects pioneering research conducted by both teachers in this course in the field of law and visual studies. It marks a unique collaboration between two key figures in the field and brings their work into important new dialogue.

Examination Material or equipment

There is no final examination for this course.

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc.

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

Extensions late submission and penalties - https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

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

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

Distribution of Grades Policy: Effective from Winter Session and Second Semester 2018 (and until further notice), the current Grading Distribution Policy has been suspended pending the development of a new policy. For further information about this interim policy please see: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading

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 details on weekly classes and any announcements relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Visual Studies - Theory and Method
2	Law and Visual Studies
3	Lawful Images
4	Space, Time, and Spacetime
5	Spectacular Power
6	Colonialism I - Art Law and History
7	Colonialism II - The Australian Legal Imaginary: Ideology and Critique
8	Colonialism III - Talking Blak
9	Aesthetics, Politics and Law
10	Images of the Modern World I - Environment
11	Images of the Modern World II - Social Violence, Social Change
12	One Final Example; and Conclusion

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. MyTimetable (MyTT) tutorial allocations are done on a first-come, first-served basis. If you hold a current EAP stating that you require priority selection, you will need to contact the College Student and Education Support team before MyTT opens.

If you are unable to secure a spot in your preferred timeslot, we recommend enrolling in another tutorial and joining the waitlist (indicated by a heart). If spots become available, they are automatically chronologically allocated to those on the waitlist.

Should an activity in MyTT clash with another, please contact the College Student and Education Support team with the course and activity details.

Please note that work commitments will not be considered as a reason for requesting a change to your allocation/s. It is expected that students make themselves available on weekdays for tutorials and seminars. Find out more on the Timetable webpage .

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Short Response Essay	20 %	*	1, 3, 4
Group Project Assignment	15 %	*	1, 2, 3, 4
Final Research Essay	55 %	30/10/2025	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Class Participation	10 %	*	1, 3, 4

* 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 ‘Wattle’ 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 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.

Examination(s)

There is no final examination for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Short Response Essay

Details of Task: The short response essay will test critical ability, writing ability, and comprehension. Students will be asked to provide ONE short essay in response to a specific question which will relate to the set texts and readings, from a series of questions. The questions will focus on the student's ability to articulate, illustrate, and if possible critique specific concepts in the readings, and to relate it to the relevant text. Students will be required to submit only one response to satisfy this assessment requirement and can choose any week and any question that interests them or suit their schedule. Please note however that the questions will relate to a specific reading or readings and students will be required to submit their answer BEFORE the lecture to which the question relates. No submission after the lecture will be accepted.

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

Weighting: 20%

Release: Ongoing. Weeks 1-8 via course Canvas page. Questions will be released a week before they are due.

Word limit: 800 words. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Due Date: 9:00am on the morning of the lecture to which the readings and questions relate via Turnitin (Weeks 2-9). Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Estimated Return Date: Submitted assignments will be marked and returned with feedback within three week's of due date via Turnitin.

Assessment Criteria:

• Writing;
• Comprehension; and
• Critical ability.

Assessment Task 2

Group Project Assignment

Details of Task: You will be placed into small groups and work together to prepare a 10-minute presentation, focusing on a single artwork, in relation to a week of your choosing. You need to sign up for this assessment task in the first week of classes. Only weeks 2 – 10 are available. There will be no presentations set for weeks 1, 11, or 12.

The artwork you choose to discuss may be one that is assigned for that week, or a different work of your own choosing, as long as it relates well to the themes and questions for that week.

You will need to talk together, in person or over zoom, about what you are going to look into for your presentation, and how to divide up the work amongst yourselves. The exercise is meant to be collaborative and everyone in the group should be involved in some way. It is NOT necessary for everyone in the group to be involved in the final presentation as long as you are involved in the research and planning. In thinking about how to present your findings, consider the following:

1. how does the image work, aesthetically or formally? what does it look like and with what effects?

2. what is the context, legal social or political, to the image and how does this influence its impact or implications?

3. how does the image relate to questions of law? If we were to use this image in a redesigned legal curriculum, what course would it go in, and how would it impact or inform students' thinking? What does the image say that law students ought to listen to?

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

Weighting: 15%

Due Date: The group presentation will take place during the tutorial in the week for which students have signed up. Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Estimated Return Date: Brief feedback will be provided at the end of the class or shortly afterwards.

Assessment Criteria:

• Quality of reflection (including in relation to reflections on the stated theme)
• Quality of spoken presentation (diction, pace, volume, polish etc); and adherence to time limit
• Imagination in connecting the chosen image or images to the class themes for that week 

Assessment Task 3

Final Research Essay

Details of Task: This research essay will enable students to apply their skills and knowledge to an aesthetic and/or legal object of their choice. It will encourage high level interdisciplinary research and independent learning. You are expected to show familiarity with course materials and themes contained in both required and further readings, and to connect them, where appropriate, to your written work. You are also encouraged to move beyond these readings in researching your essay. Where your essay involves research into artworks, images or bodies of work not specifically covered in class, you are expected to research this area. If you need further guidance as to what and how to go about your research essay, please consult the convenor.

You may write and answer your own question, relating an artwork, image, images, genres or bodies of work to one or more of the themes and questions, the theories and methods, introduced in this course Ensure that you do frame a specific question and that you seek the approval of one of the course convenors before proceeding. If you are lost for ideas, a range of suggested topics will be provided at a later date.

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

Weighting: 55%

Word limit: 2,400 words. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Due date: 5pm, 30 October 2025. Late submissions (without an extension) are accepted, but late penalties will apply.

Estimated return date: Official end of semester results release date.

Assessment Criteria:

An assessment rubric will be available in Canvas

Assessment Task 4

Class Participation

Details of Task: In order to encourage class participation, students will be asked to contribute actively to class discussion throughout the semester. Regular attendance is part of what is expected but is not the only criteria employed. The assessment will evaluate both the depth and care in reading prescribed materials demonstrated, and also the way in which their contributions added to the overall atmosphere, engagement, and interest of the tutorial.

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

Weighting: 10%

Due date: Ongoing. Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Estimated return date: Official end of semester results release date. Feedback will be provided as and when appropriate.

Assessment Criteria:

An assessment rubric will be available in Canvas

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

A resubmission refers to the act of re-uploading a submission for an assessment task after an initial submission has already been made. This typically occurs when a student realises they have submitted an incorrect or incomplete document and wishes to upload the correct version.

Resubmissions are permitted up to the due date and time without penalty. After this point, any resubmissions will incur the relevant late penalty with no exceptions.

If you need to request that your original submission be deleted in order to resubmit, please email enquiries.law@anu.edu.au. Do not contact your course convenor directly regarding this matter.

Please note: If a task states that no late submissions are permitted, then resubmissions will not be accepted under any circumstances after the due date and time.

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