This course provides an introduction to the study of post-graduate law. It is an innovative course designed to introduce all non-law graduates (and by choice, law graduates from overseas universities) to fundamental principles of law and legal systems. The course includes a focus on both the Australian legal system and comparative issues where relevant and covers the following topics:

• sources of law (including case law, statute, treaties, custom, tradition)
• types of law (including national, international, public, private)
• legal systems (including common law, civil law, international and indigenous law)
• legal institutions (including parliament , courts, tribunals, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and community)
• legal interpretation.

Integrated throughout the course is a discussion of legal pluralism, and law and society. A strong emphasis is also placed on assisting students to develop skills in legal research, citation, problem-solving and legal writing.

 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Develop and apply strong knowledge and understanding of the foundations of law, legal systems and legal institutions;
2. Communicate strong understanding of the Australian legal system, including the executive, legislative, judicial and federal systems;
3. Incorporate social, policy, comparative or interdisciplinary approaches into legal analysis;
4. Develop and apply key skills required in legal research, legal writing, citation and answering legal problems;
5. Review and analyse legal cases, texts and statutes.

Research-Led Teaching

The convenor’s experience in doing legal research and the work of other colleagues will be used as examples of how to craft written work in the style of other academic writing or policy writing.

Required Resources

There is no prescribed textbook for this course. A full list of readings will be made available on Canvas two weeks prior to the course commencement date.

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:

• 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

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 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 is a valuable resource for gaining a comprehensive understanding of AI's role in academia.

• The ANU Academic Skills site provides useful information to ensure that you leverage AI responsibly and effectively.

• The ANU Law School Academic Integrity and Misconduct site provides content related to legal implications, ethical guidelines, and considerations when dealing with AI in the context of law.

Use of Generative AI Tools in Assessment

All work submitted for assessment at the ANU Law School must be your own independent and original work.

This means that generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools must not be used to draft assessment content, unless explicitly instructed by the course convenor. While limited use of AI tools to support learning may be permitted, for example, to assist with expression, structure, or the refinement of ideas, AI must not be used to generate primary text, legal analysis, or substantive content.

Inappropriate use of AI may constitute a breach of the Academic Integrity Rule 2021. For law students, academic integrity breaches may have serious professional consequences, as breaches must be disclosed to the relevant admissions authority.

Students are at university to develop critical skills in legal reasoning, analysis, and written communication. This requires active engagement with assessment tasks and the drafting and refinement of one’s own work. While AI tools may assist with polishing expression or organisation, they must not replace your reasoning, judgment, or authorship.

Used appropriately, AI can be a helpful tool for editing, planning, and limited refinement. However, AI should only be applied to small portions of text. Submitting work generated in large part by AI increases the risk of poor academic outcomes and academic integrity concerns.

Where AI or other assistive technologies are used, students must comply with all disclosure requirements that are available on the course Canvas site.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	This course will explore the foundations of the Australian legal system and the key contemporary lawmaking institutions. It will introduce students to the basics of locating, interpreting and applying sources of law. Students are expected to attend all synchronous classes and complete all set preparatory reading. The schedule of classes, together with the expected reading for each session, is available on the course Canvas site.Classes will be recorded, but the recordings will not be made available to students until the end of each week. This is to enable you to use the recordings for revision purposes, but also to ensure that you attend classes in order to keep up with the rhythm of the course. You must attend classes live online, as this is a foundational unit, and it is crucial that you attend to achieve the maximum benefit from the classes. If your work schedule does not allow you to attend, you should think about whether this is the right time for you to enrol in a postgraduate degree in law, or whether you would be better off returning to it when your work circumstances allow.	This is a semi-intensive course that will be delivered in nine three-hour blocks, between 3pm and 6pm. Classes will be on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3pm to 6pm, 2 - 18 February 2026.If you cannot attend class due to extenuating circumstances, you must notify the course convenor in writing in advance. Not only will this assist the course convenor in running classes in the most effective way possible, it also represents common courtesy and respect.IMPORTANT NOTE: After the finalisation of results, a supplementary task will be held on Tuesday 28 April, 2026 for students that achieved a final mark of 45-49. Students will be informed via their ANU student email regarding a time and venue.

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Optional Quiz	0 %	02/02/2026	*	1,2
Discussion Forum Posts and Responses	20 %	*	12/02/2026	1,2
Research and Referencing Task	20 %	24/02/2026	10/03/2026	4
Online test (completed remotely using Proctorio)	60 %	05/03/2026	*	1,2,3,4,5

* 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.

Examination(s)

There is no final examination for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Optional Quiz

Details of Task: This quiz is designed to test your understanding of the preliminary readings for the course, and identify any areas that may need more class time and attention. Whilst this quiz is not compulsory, completing the quiz is highly recommended as it will enable the course convenor to appropriately assist students who may be finding the reading challenging. The quiz comprises multiple choice questions accessed and completed online through the Canvas site.

Nature of Task: Optional. This assessment task is designed to give students an opportunity to receive feedback on their progress in the course.

Weighting: 0%

Release: 9am, Tuesday 27 January 2026

Due Date: 9am, Monday 2 February 2026. Due to the nature of the task no time adjustments, late submissions or extensions shall be applied for this task.

Estimated Return Date: Available immediately upon submission.

Assessment Criteria: This task is marked automatically according to accuracy of understanding of course content.

Assessment Task 2

Discussion Forum Posts and Responses

Details of Task: In the first week, during the three-week intensive teaching period, students will be required to make one forum post relating to a question posed by the course convenor. Students must also post a response to another student’s post.

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

Weighting: 20%

Word Limit: The post responding to the question posed should be approximately 850 words and incorporate reflection on the relevant readings and in-class activities. The second post in response to another student should be approximately 350 words and constructively extend the discussion. The ANU Law School excess word penalty policy can be found here. Assessment must be submitted in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files are not acceptable.

Release Date: 4pm, Wednesday 4 February 2026.

Due Date: The post will be due at 4pm on Thursday 5 February 2026, and the response will be due at 9am on Monday 9 February 2026.

Due to the nature of the task, late submissions or extensions are not permitted. If you miss the post and/or response, you will not be able to complete the task at another date/time, and you will lose the allocated marks for both the post and the response. The reason you will lose marks for both the post and response if either is not submitted is because they are one task. Both must be completed in order to constitute a submission.

Estimated Return date: 12 February 2025.

Assessment Criteria: A detailed rubric will be available on the course Canvas site.

Assessment Task 3

Research and Referencing Task

Details of task: This task is designed to give you an opportunity to practice your research skills learned in the library session, and your referencing and academic integrity skills learned in sessions 5 and 6.

You will be given a case and be asked to answer a series of questions concerning academic integrity and correct AGLC 4th edition referencing style. You will also be asked a series of questions about the case which you will need to answer. These second set of questions will help you understand how to read a case and how to identify particular parts of a case, such as the facts, the reasoning of the court etc – all crucial skills necessary for effectively reading a case. Finally, you will be asked to briefly explain and justify a research strategy which you could implement in relation to undertaking a critique of the case. The reason for asking you to complete a research strategy and find appropriate secondary sources is that much of the assessment in the LLM is essay based, so it will be critical for you to learn to find secondary sources and to develop a research strategy.

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%

Word Limit: 1,200 words. The ANU Law School excess word penalty policy can be found here. Assessment must be submitted in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files are not acceptable.

Release: Monday 9 February 2026

Due Date: 5pm, Tuesday 24 February 2026. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply.

Estimated Return Date: 10 March 2026

Assessment Criteria: A rubric will be made available on the course Canvas site.

Assessment Task 4

Online test (completed remotely using Proctorio)

Details of Task: This is an open-book online test. The topics covered in the test will be those taught from session 7 onwards, taking into account the academic integrity material taught to you throughout the course and any specific referencing instructions given. More information about the precise format of the final test will be provided in Week 3. The test will use Proctorio, which runs as a browser extension in Google Chrome.

Proctorio: Please ensure that you have installed Proctorio prior to the test. Make sure to use Google Chrome. A webcam, microphone, good (ideally cabled) internet connection, and your ANU student card or other photo ID are also needed. Proctorio does an ID check and will record your video, audio, and screen during the test and flag any anomalies. For information on this technology, see this page: https://services.anu.edu.au/information-technology/software-systems/proctorio.

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

Weighting: 60%.

Duration: 180 minutes.

Release: 4pm, Thursday 5 March 2026

Due Date: 7pm, Thursday 5 March 2026 via Proctorio.

If you experience extenuating circumstances and cannot attempt the assessment on the due date and time, you should apply to reschedule the assessment here. The College will give you one final opportunity to complete a different version of the assessment, at the same time from 4pm-7pm, Thursday 19 March 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.

Extenuating circumstances that may warrant approval may include, but are not limited to:

- medical reasons (student injury, illness or medical condition);

- family/personal reasons (family injury or illness, bereavement);

- cultural or religious commitments; where a cultural or religious event conflicts with the scheduled tutorial.

Please note that approval will not be given for work related reasons.

Please be mindful that if you are in your final semester, rescheduling may have an impact on your eligibility to graduate on time.

Estimated Return Date: Results for non-standard sessions will be released approximately one month from the course end date.

Assessment Criteria: An assessment rubric will be made available on 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

• 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