Bachelor of Philosophy/Bachelor of Laws
Australian Catholic University
About
The Bachelor of Philosophy/Bachelor of Laws has been designed to produce graduates who are well-trained in legal theory and practice, knowledgeable in philosophical and ethical issues related to the law, and skilled in textual analysis, argumentation and communication.
As a graduate, you can aspire to a range of professional careers in an increasingly global environment.
As a graduate you can pursue a range of legal careers including private practice as a solicitor or barrister;
legal officer in the public sector;
in-house counsel for a wide range of organisations including corporations, regulatory authorities and NGOs;
education;
government administration;
media and communications;
public policy development;
and in commerce and industry.
While undertaking your legal studies, you will also be undertaking core and elective studies in various areas of Philosophy, such as ethics, epistemology (theory of knowledge), jurisprudence (philosophy of law), theories of human nature, social and political philosophy, logic, and the history of philosophy.
In this way, you will develop keen insight into the broader context within which the law operates, an enhanced awareness of the complexities of legal theory and practice, as well as the kinds of analytical skills needed in contemporary legal practice contexts.
Should you wish to do so, there is also provision within the flexible program to undertake studies in other areas of the humanities.
As part of this degree you complete 80 hours of pro bono work (after your first year), providing you with firsthand experience of the legal system while allowing you to contribute to the common good.
Structure
| Year – Study Period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 - Semester 1 | LAWS104 Foundations of law and legal research | LAWS105 Contract Law | PHIL100 Philosophy: the big questions | PHIL107 Philosophy of world religions |
| Year 1 - Semester 2 | LAWS107 Introduction to Australian public law | LAWS108 Commercial Law (Pre: LAWS104, LAWS105) | UNCC100 Self and community: exploring the anatomy of modern society or PHCC102 Being Human or PHCC104 Ethics and the Good Life | PHIL102 Theories of human nature or PHIL104 Introduction to ethics |
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | LAWS106 Criminal Law and Procedure | LAWS206 Torts (Pre: LAWS104) | PHIL202 Justice, authority and human rights | PHIL Elective |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | LAWS200 Business Organisations | LAWS213 Legal Community Engagement (Pre: LAWS104) | PHIL200 Contemporary moral problems | PHIL Elective |
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | LAWS314 Statutory interpretation | LAWS205 Property (Pre: LAWS104) | UNCC300 Justice and change in a global world (Pre: UNCC100, PHCC102, PHCC104 ) or PHCC320 The Just Society | PHIL Elective |
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | LAWS201 Civil procedure and alternative dispute resolution (Pre: LAWS104, LAWS105, LAWS206 ) | LAWS204 Land law (Pre: LAWS104, LAWS205) | LAWS403 Legal theory (Pre: LAWS104) | PHIL Elective |
| Year 4 - Semester 1 | LAWS304 Evidence (Pre: LAWs104, LAWS106) | LAWS421 Legal ethics and professional responsibility (Pre: LAWs104, LAWS106) | PHIL Elective | PHCC320 The Just Society or General Elective if UNCC300 replaces PHCC320 |
| Year 4 - Semester 2 | LAWS419 Constitutional law (Pre: LAWS104, LAWS107) | LAWS420 Equity and trusts (Pre: LAWS104, LAWS105, LAWS205 ) | PHIL Elective | General Elective |
| Year 5 - Semester 1 | LAWS418 Administrative law (Pre: LAWS104, LAWS107) | LAWS404 International law (Pre: LAWS104, LAWS107) | Law elective 1 (Pre: LAWS104) | Law elective 2 (Pre: LAWS104) |
| Year 5 - Semester 2 | Law elective 3 (Pre: LAWS104) | Law elective 4 (Pre: LAWS104) | Law elective 5 (Pre: LAWS104) | PHIL321 History of philosophy seminar Or PHIL322 Metaphysics and epistemology seminar |
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent:
New South Wales
- Prerequisites: English (Standard) (Band 3) or English as an Additional Language (EAL) (Band 4)
Queensland
- Prerequisites: English (4, SA) at year 12 level
Victoria
- Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
*Disclaimer: The Course entry requirements above are for 2021 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
Institution
