Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts offers students a course focused on commercial law with emphasis on intellectual property law.

As the only double degree in Victoria with this specialisation, students learn about trademarks, patents and designs, copyright, the prohibition of misleading or deceptive conduct and competition law.

The course also provides a general understanding of contemporary social and cultural developments.

Students choose from a range of Arts majors, enabling specialisation in a series of study areas depending on their field of interest.

Students complete law-related professional experience placements at organisations in Australia or overseas and are introduced to the practical aspects of legal practice through moot court scenarios and advocacy exercises.

The combination of degrees equips students with the skills to work in commercial and general legal practice, in government, and in arts- and humanities-based organisations.

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Arts requires students to complete units of study to the value of 500 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated. View course rules and special requirements

Core studies for Bachelor of Laws

19 units (237.5 credit points)

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

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Placement for Bachelor of Laws

3 units (0 credit points)

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Core studies for Bachelor of Arts

3 units (50 credit points)

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Major for Bachelor of Arts

8 units (100 credit points)

Choose a major:

Choose a major Advertising Chinese Cinema and Screen Studies Creative Writing and Literature Criminology Digital Advertising Technology Environmental Sustainability Games and Interactivity Global Studies History Indigenous Studies Japanese Journalism Media Industries Philosophy Politics and International Relations Professional Writing and Editing Social Media Sociology

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Other studies

9 units (112.5 credit points)

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 112.5 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

Elective units Signature Series

Elective units

Any of the following units may be undertaken.

#Students must choose 5 specialised elective units to complete the course.

Signature Series

A Swinburne education prepares you for life. That’s why we’ve developed the Swinburne Signature Series. It’s a suite of study opportunities that embody Swinburne’s ethos – of confidence, clarity and adventure. These opportunities give our students something extra; whether that’s a new perspective on the world through a Study Tour unit, an expanded sense of possibilities through our Innovation Minor, or a deeper understanding and respect for culture through our Indigenous Minor. Like Swinburne University itself, our Signature Series will grow and adapt to reflect the evolving issues of the day.

• Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
• Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
• One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
• See the course planner for an example degree structure

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Laws, students will be able to:

• describe and demonstrate the application of the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system and of the principles and doctrines that underpin them
• describe and demonstrate the application of ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of the law and a commitment to the pursuit of justice
• analyse and evaluate the interdisciplinary contexts in which legal issues arise and the disciplines and policy considerations that influence the content and operation of the law
• describe and compare the international legal order and the law and legal systems of Australia’s major trading partners
• critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses
• undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence
• demonstrate effective and persuasive communication capabilities with legal and non-legal audiences
• communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development.

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Arts, students will be able to:

• 1systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in the humanities and/ or social sciences
• formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of disciplinary expertise
• critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences
• define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
• apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
• interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
• coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts.