LAW2111 · Constitutional law

Overview

The unit examines the Victorian and Commonwealth Constitutions; advanced principles regarding separation of judicial powers at State and Commonwealth levels; Australian federalism and inter-governmental relations, including the distribution of legislative and fiscal powers between the Commonwealth and the States, inconsistency of laws, and intergovernmental immunities; some principal Commonwealth legislative powers; limitations on governmental power, including selected express and implied constitutional rights and freedoms; and critical analysis of techniques and principles of constitutional interpretation.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Second Semester: Describe, discuss and analyse Commonwealth and State constitutional law and practice. First Semester: Describe, discuss and analyse Commonwealth and State constitutional law and practice.
2. Second Semester: Evaluate judgements on Australian constitutional cases demonstrating particular attention to the interpretive techniques used and the principles/policies underlying the judgements and doctrines. First Semester: Evaluate judgements on Australian constitutional cases demonstrating particular attention to the interpretive techniques used and the principles/policies underlying the judgements and doctrines.
3. Second Semester: Assess the constitutional validity of Commonwealth and Victorian legislation and executive actions. First Semester: Assess the constitutional validity of Commonwealth and Victorian legislation and executive actions.
4. Second Semester: Evaluate and apply constitutional law and interpretative principles of constitutional law to generate appropriate legal responses. First Semester: Evaluate and apply constitutional law and interpretative principles of constitutional law to generate appropriate legal responses.
5. Second Semester: Collaborate and communicate effectively to a range of audiences.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.