Outline

Overview

The entire fabric of commerce is woven from a complex legal regime, judicial and statutory, which regulates all commercial activity. Every decision in business and every transaction and relationship is made in the context of this legal regime. The aim of Foundations of Business Law is to introduce the students to the legal framework and regulatory systems which underlie all business activity and to expose them to the legal implications of commercial conduct. This unit of study introduces the Australian legal system and key areas of substantive business law including contracts, torts (in particular negligence and privacy), property and securities, white collar crime, intellectual property, competition and consumer law (in particular advertising, product liability and unfair contracts), business structures and operations, misleading and unconscionable conduct and dispute resolution.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Accounting, Governance and Regulation
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	CLAW2214
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	David Jun Zhao, jun.zhao@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final Exam Final exam	55%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Tutorial Assessment Participation & Engagement in weekly tutorials	10%	Ongoing	Ongoing	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Online Quiz online quiz delivered via Canvas #earlyfeedbacktask	10%	Week 03	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Written Assignment Extended response to legal problem question	25%	Week 08 Due date: 28 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 08 Oct 2025	1,500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Tutorial assessment: Students are expected to attend all tutorials and will be assessed on their participation and engagement with weekly tutorial activities. See Canvas for further details.
In-class quiz: See Canvas for further details. This is an Early Feedback Task.
Written Assignment: The written assignment must be submitted online via Turnitin and will comprise a legal problem question designed to assess understanding of the relevant topics and the ability to critically analyse and apply the law to a given fact scenario. See Canvas for further details.
Final Exam: The final exam will be comprise legal problem questions designed to assess understanding of the topics examined and the ability to critically analyse and apply the law to given fact scenarios under exam conditions. The final exam will be an open book exam. See Canvas for further details.

Detailed information for each assessment task can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	The Australian Legal System	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Sources of Law: Parliament, the Executive and Legislation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Sources of Law: Courts and the Common Law	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Business Structures and Relationships	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Contracts and Contract Law	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Contract Law: formation, terms, breach	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Contracts in Business	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Statutory Constraints on Freedom of Contract: unconscionable and misleading conduct, unfair contract terms	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	The Australian Consumer Law: misleading advertising, consumer guarantees, product liability	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Obligations Beyond the Contract: torts and the law of negligence	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	1. Tortious liability for Economic Loss. 2. Privacy: liability for serious invasions of privacy, the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles, data breach.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Restrictive Trade Practices and the Competition and Consumer Act 2010	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	The Nature and Protection of Intellectual Property	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students should join and participate in lectures and tutorials each week. Details will be provided on Canvas.

Lecture recordings will be available on Canvas for student use.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Andrew Terry and Des Giugni, Business and the Law (Thomson Reuters, 7th edition, 2019).

Additional resources, references and materials are available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. identify, analyse and assess business law issues from given fact situations and real-world contexts
LO2. resolve legal problems by applying relevant law, evaluating appropriate solutions to legal problems, synthesising information and developing arguments to support your conclusions
LO3. Locate and select relevant sources using libraries, the web and other online research facilities
LO4. manage, analyse, evaluate and use legal materials and information
LO5. communicate to a professional standard using prescribed legal citation and referencing to directly support your analysis and conclusions
LO6. interact with people from diverse cultural backgrounds with inclusiveness, open-mindedness and integrity and work within group environments
LO7. apply ethical and professional approaches to your conduct both within and beyond the classroom.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to student feedback, legal problem solving will be introduced earlier in the semester and will be the focus of the tutorials.

Additional information

Additional information can be found on the CLAW1001 Canvas site.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CLAW1001: Foundations of Business Law

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links