Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws
Southern Cross University
About
Multiply your skills, knowledge and career prospects through this double degree that both fosters the arts and lays down the law.You can immerse yourself in arts majors such as media studies, social sciences and politics, while at the same time gathering the qualifications for a legal career.You may undertake voluntary legal experience and professional placement with legal firms, or undertake community arts learning opportunities, helping you build practical skills and develop professional networks.Graduates can pursue career opportunities that combine proficiency in the arts and law;
and those specific to each discipline.
This may include working in private practice as a solicitor or barrister, in government departments, non-government agencies, legal organisations or careers in the media, public relations and creative industries.The Bachelor of Laws fulfils the academic requirements to practise law in Australia.
Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to practise as a lawyer.Applicants who do not have the required entry mark for this double degree are encouraged to apply for the Bachelor of Arts.
If a student achieves the required grade point average during that course, they may then apply for transfer into the double degree.
Structure
Core Units
| Title | Level of learning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing | Introductory | |
| LEGL1005 - Legal Process | Introductory | Note 1 |
| WRIT1003 - Written Communication | Introductory | Note 2 |
| CLST2002 - Australia, Asia and the World | Introductory | |
| LAWS2005 - Constitutional Law | Intermediate | |
| CLST1004 - Critical Thinking for Digital Times | Introductory | |
| CLST1005 - Unruly Subjects: Citizenship | Introductory | |
| LAWS2002 - Contract Law I | Introductory | |
| LAWS2008 - Australian Criminal Law I | Introductory | |
| LAWS2015 - Torts | Intermediate | |
| LAWS2003 - Contract Law II | Intermediate | |
| LAWS2009 - Australian Criminal Law II | Intermediate | |
| LAWS2012 - Property Principles | Introductory | |
| LAWS2010 - Environmental Law | Intermediate | |
| LAWS2017 - Principles of Equity | Advanced | |
| LAWS2016 - Evidence | Advanced | |
| LEGL1006 - Jurisprudence | Intermediate | |
| LAWS2007 - Corporations Law | Intermediate | |
| LAWS2013 - Civil Litigation and Procedure | Intermediate | |
| LAWS2006 - Administrative Law | Advanced | |
| LAWS3003 - Professional Conduct | Advanced | Note 1 |
Electives
Students should ensure at least two (2) of the following units are advanced
Entry requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, students must complete 40 units (480 credit points), comprising:
- 21 core units (252 credit points); and
- 1 Arts major or 2 Arts minors (96 credit points); and
- 7 Law electives (72 credit points); and
- 4 University-wide electives (60 credit points).
Bachelor of Laws with Honours
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Laws with Honours, students must:
- fulfil the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws; and
- complete the units LAWS4002 - Legal Research: Context, Perspective and Method and LAWS4001- Independent Legal Research; and
- achieve a satisfactory standard of academic performance in law units as determined by the School Board, School of Law and Justice.
Class of Honours
The Bachelor of Laws with Honours may be awarded in the following classes:
- First Class Honours;
- Second Class Honours (Division I); or
- Second Class Honours (Division II).
Exit Award
Students may be eligible to exit with the Bachelor of Laws or the Bachelor of Arts upon completion of the requirements of the single degree.
Learning outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the <a href="/staff/teaching-and-learning/graduate-attributes/">graduate attributes</a>.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues. |
| Creativity | Apply legal reasoning, critical analysis and research to generate appropriate responses to legal problems. |
| Ethical practice | Demonstrate an understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making and an ability to recognise, reflect upon, and respond to ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts.Demonstrate an ability to recognise and reflect upon the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the community.Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between law and sustainability. |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Demonstrate an understanding of a broad and coherent body of knowledge that includes the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts, including international and comparative contexts, and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise.Demonstrate an understanding of the international and comparative contexts in which legal issues arise. |
| Lifelong learning | Learn and work independently.Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and seek and make use of feedback as appropriate, to determine personal and professional development needs and achievements.Access, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal research and practice. |
| Communication and social skills | Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences. Collaborate effectively and constructively with others. |
| Cultural competence | Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice. |
Institution
