Online Posts 15%: Students will be allocated one class intensive day approximately 1 week before the class and will be expected to contribute at least 4 online postings (of 200-300 words each) by midnight the day before the intensive class. Each post should highlight personal insights from the required reading, build on contributions of others and/or relate the material discussed in the unit to current developments discussed in cases, articles or the media. This task is designed to ensure that students are prepared for each class by having completed the reading.

This assessment will satisfy Learning Outcome 1 (LO1) by requiring students to demonstrate their understanding of how the key provisions of the Australian Consumer Law operate as both Commonwealth and state laws across a range of consumer contracts. It will satisfy Learning Outcome 2 (LO2) by requiring students to identify and synthesize different stakeholder perspectives on how consumer law does and should apply to a range of situations involving consumer contracts and defective products in their work. It will satisfy Learning Outcome 3 (LO3) by requiring students to apply relevant Australian Consumer Law provisions to a range of common consumer contracts and sales involving defective products.

Class Presentation 15%: Students will record a 10 minute presentation that summarises an academic article selected by the student that is of relevance for one of the topics for the class intensive day allocated to that student. In addition, students will deliver a 2 minute brief summary of their recorded presentation in class on the due date allocated for their presentation and will provide a 1-2 page summary of the article (maximum of 1,000 words). Students will be randomly allocated a class day to deliver their presentation summary. A link to the recording and summary document must be emailed to the lecturer by 12 Noon the day before the relevant class. Students are expected to use the Library catalogue to find an academic article on any of the topics selected for their particular allocated class.

This task has 3 compulsory components:

1. 10min recorded presentation 
2. A written presentation summary of no more than 1000 words 
3. A 2 minute in-class presentation summary of their recorded presentation 

If a student fails to complete any of these 3 requirements on their allocated class day they will need to seek special consideration and will be allocated an alternate task if granted consideration. An extension of time will not be granted for any of these 3 required elements. The alternate task will be at the discretion of the unit coordinator.

This assessment will satisfy Learning Outcome 1 (LO1) by requiring students to demonstrate their understanding of how the key provisions of the Australian Consumer Law operate as both Commonwealth and state laws across a range of consumer contracts. It will satisfy Learning Outcome 2 (LO2) by requiring students to identify and synthesize different stakeholder perspectives on how consumer law does and should apply to a range of situations involving consumer contracts and defective products in their work. It will satisfy Learning Outcome 3 (LO3) by requiring students to apply relevant Australian Consumer Law provisions to a range of common consumer contracts and sales involving defective products.

Short release research Essay Annotated Bibliography 10%: Students must complete an annotated bibliography of relevant, high quality primary and secondary sources that they intend to use for their research essay. At least 15 different sources must be included in the bibliography. Acceptable sources include: scholarly articles, cases, government or parliamentary reports and papers (including explanatory memoranda and statements), book chapters, online databases (such as loose leaf services on Lexis, Westlaw or CCH intelliconnect). Approximately 50-150 words on each source will be expected, with the annotation outlining the key points of the source, how the source was found and how the source material may be used in the essay. 1500 words maximum. This is due on 17 May 2023 by 9am.

This assessment will satisfy Learning Outcome 1 (LO1) by requiring students to demonstrate their understanding of how the key provisions of the Australian Consumer Law operate as both Commonwealth and state laws across a range of consumer contracts. It will satisfy Learning Outcome 2 (LO2) by requiring students to identify and synthesize different stakeholder perspectives on how consumer law does and should apply to a range of situations involving consumer contracts and defective products in their work. 

Research Essay 60%: Students will complete a research essay drawn from one of the sample topics provided on Canvas. Students may propose their own topic only with the prior permission of the unit coordinator. 4000 words maximum (not including footnotes or headings). The essay topics will be available from 10 May 2023 12pm and the essays are due by 19 June 2023 23:59.  

This assessment will satisfy Learning Outcome 1 (LO1) by requiring students to demonstrate their understanding of how the key provisions of the Australian Consumer Law operate as both Commonwealth and state laws across a range of consumer contracts. It will satisfy Learning Outcome 2 (LO2) by requiring students to identify and synthesize different stakeholder perspectives on how consumer law does and should apply to a range of situations involving consumer contracts and defective products in their work. It will satisfy Learning Outcome 3 (LO3) by requiring students to apply relevant Australian Consumer Law provisions to a range of common consumer contracts and sales involving defective products.

Special consideration: Students who receive a grant of Special Consideration may receive an alternative task at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator. 

Use of editors or proof-readers:

The use of assistance in preparing and editing assessment tasks in this unit of study is strictly prohibited. Assistance includes human and automated writing tools (not including spell checking).

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 exclude all footnotes, headings and any bibliography (if required).

Assessment requirement 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.