Outline

Overview

This unit of study provides an overview of Australian public law: the body of legal principles that constitute and regulate public power. It examines the functions and powers of the three brances of the Australian government - Parliament, the executive, and the courts - and the relationship between them. This unit is intended to complement students' further studies in Constitutional Law and Administrative Law.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	LAWS1006
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	LAWS5007
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Lisa Burton Crawford, l.crawford@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Rayner Thwaites, rayner.thwaites@sydney.edu.au
	Peter Chiam, peter.chiam@sydney.edu.au
	Lukas Opacic, lukas.opacic@sydney.edu.au
	Lynsey Blayden, lynsey.blayden@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam (60%) Problem and essay questions.	60%	Formal exam period	2.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Early feedback test (0%) #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 16 Aug 2024 at 18:00 Closing date: 23 Aug 2024	Online multiple choice questions
Outcomes assessed:
Short release assignment	Short-release assignment (40%) One problem-based and one essay	40%	Week 06 Due date: 02 Sep 2024 at 09:00 Closing date: 16 Sep 2024	2000 words / 4 working days
Outcomes assessed:

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

Early Feedback Task (0%):

As part of our commitment to student success, this unit includes a required Early Feedback Task. This task is designed to provide students with timely insights into their understanding and engagement with the unit content. It serves as a diagnostic tool to identify areas of strength and areas needing improvement, ensuring that each student is on track for successful completion of the unit.

The Early Feedback Task in this unit is an online multiple-choice quiz assessing material covered to the end of week 2. It will comprise multiple choice questions and will be an online task.

The task will be available on Canvas from Monday 29 July 2024 and must be completed by 6.00PM Friday 16 August 2024 (Sydney, Australia time). This is a non-weighted task and students will be provided with immediate, automated feedback, upon completion of the task. #earlyfeedbacktask

Short-release assignment (40%):

The assignment will comprise of 2 questions, one problem based and one essay. The assignment questions will be released on Canvas at 9am on Tuesday 27th August 2024 and answers must be submitted via Canvas by 9am Monday 2nd September 2024 (Sydney, Australia time).

The word limit will be 2,000 words (including references). This is a strict word limit and an assignment which exceeds the word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks allocated to that assessment for every 100 words (or part thereof) over the limit. Standard late penalties apply. Assignments must adhere to the conventions of legal writing and use AGLC 4th Ed. Style for references and footnotes. However, a bibliography is not required.

Students must declare any use of Generative Artificial Intelligence. However, students are advised that AI is unlikely to provide the depth of analysis that is required to achieve a high mark in this unit. AI must be used in compliance with the University of Sydney Policy.

Final exam (60%):

Compulsory 2.5 hours (plus 30 minutes reading time) open book on-campus supervised examination during the formal examination period. The examination will comprise a mixture of problem and essay questions. The examination will assess material covered in the course as a whole.

The supervised final exam will take place on-campus during the formal final examination period for Semester 2 (November 2024). The exam timetable will be released by the Exams Office in due course. Exam information is available at https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/exams/timetables.html.

Word limit penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will include all footnotes. A bibliography is not required and acknowledgements of permissible assistance from editors, automated writing tools or generative AI (where use is permitted).

Use of editors or proof-readers:

In completing unsupervised assessments, students may use editors, proof-readers, and automated writing tools (including translation software, grammar checkers, reference generators and artificial intelligence), provided that all use is acknowledged and consistent with University policies and procedures including Academic Integrity Policy. Acknowledgment must be made in writing on the front of the work submitted for assessment, or in an appropriate footnote or other reference, and state the name of the person or software.

Special consideration:

Short-release assignment (40%): Successful grants of Special Consideration before the assignment closing date (16 September 2024) will be by way of extension. No further extensions are available after this date and students will be required to complete an alternative assessment, which may be in writing or in person (viva voce). The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the Unit Coordinator.

Final exam (60%): Replacement exam which may be in writing or a viva at the convenor's discretion.

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study:

A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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	Completely answers the question. Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	Completely answers the question. Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. Generally well expressed and free from errors. Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. Contains no significant errors. Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. Contains some significant errors. Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. Offers a descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. Adequate expression. Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	Does not answer the question. Contains significant or numerous errors. Few or no identifiable arguments. Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. Lack of research or analysis. Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per calendar day or part thereof. For example, a submission after 9 am but by 11:59pm on the due date for submission will attract a 10% penalty. A submission after midnight of the due date for submission will attract a 20% penalty. A submission on the following day after midnight will attract a 30% penalty, and so on. Penalties for late submission will be applied strictly, subject to a 5 minute grace period. Late penalties do not apply to exams or tests and any late submission will not be accepted.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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	Topic 1 – Introduction and History of Australian Constitutions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 01	Topic 2 – Legislative power	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Topic 3 – Constitutional change	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Practice problems and discussion	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Topic 4 Public Law and First Nations	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Topic 5.1 Right to vote	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Topic 5.2 Eligibility of parliamentarians	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Practice problems and discussion	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Topic 6.1& 6.2 - The executive and responsible government	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Topic 6.3 and 6.4 – Executive power, Delegated legislative power	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Topic 6.5 – Non-statutory executive power: prerogatives and capacities	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Topic 6.5 continued – Nationhood power	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Topic 6.5 - Executive detention case study	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Practice problems and discussion	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Topic 7.1, 7.2- Overview of Chapter III; Judicial Power	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Topic 7.3, 7.3.1, 7.3.2 - Separation of judicial power	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Topic 7.3.3, ‘off-court’ roles for judges; practice problems and discussion	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Topic 8.1 - Separated Judicial Power in Context – statutory interpretation and principle of legality	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Topic 8.2 - Separated Judicial Power in Context - punishment	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Practice problems and discussion	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend at least 70% of classes to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a student being precluded from undertaking the final assessment.

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer. A link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at Referencing and Citation Styles: AGLC4.

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

All readings for this Unit can be accessed through Canvas under 'Reading List'.

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. demonstrate an advanced understanding of select rules and principles of public law, including the functions and powers of the three branches of government and the relationships between them.
LO2. integrate and apply select rules and principles of public law to resolve legal problems.
LO3. evaluate and critique select rules and principles of public law.
LO4. communicate with legal audiences in ways that are accurate, effective and persuasive.

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.

Student feedback is taken into account each year in revising the unit of study and how it operates.

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

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

LAWS1021: Public Law

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links