Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws

This double degree provides students with the opportunity to combine their study of law with an area of interest drawn from a wide variety of the arts, humanities and social sciences.

It thereby gives students a larger variety of career options.

Studying law in conjunction with another discipline gives you the potential to take an interdisciplinary approach in both your studies and in your future employment.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Arts component provides students with a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies from across the University, with a strong focus on aspects of human culture and achievement. The Bachelor of Arts can also be undertaken in conjunction with a range of other degrees in the University. The course aims to provide students with:(i) depth and breadth of knowledge in their chosen areas of study; (ii) the ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired; (iii) skills in critical analysis, critical thinking and critical enquiry;(iv) self-reliance, especially in regards to the acquisition of information, the ability to assess evidence, convey complex ideas and answer complex questions;(v) the ability to communicate effectively in a range of ways; (vi) the ability to work both independently and collaboratively; (vii) the diverse skills to connect across geographical, disciplinary, social and cultural boundaries; and (viii) an understanding of the value of ethical behaviour; and(ix) the essential skills demanded by employers in a global jobs market enabling them to achieve exciting and rewarding career outcomes.The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Law provides students with a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies from across the University, with a strong focus on aspects of human culture and achievement. The degree also provides graduates with a professionally accredited Law degree with a critical and progressive approach to the existing law and legal system quipped with the necessary technical and specialist skills.The course aims to provide students with:1. understanding and knowledge of Australian law and awareness of indigenous, international and theoretical perspectives;2. competence in using legal research and analytical skills that equip them to work in the legal profession or in a broad range of law related occupations;3. the ability to take a strategic approach to problem solving by applying critical and innovative thinking to complex legal issues and situations;4. competence in oral and written communication;5. the ability to work independently and in groups; and6. professional judgement and knowledge of the ethical responsibilities associated with having completed a law degree.7. LLB with Honours students:a comprehensive understanding of theoretical, comparative or interdisciplinary research to examine law's effect on society and the effectiveness of the Australian Legal System.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: BA component: demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of selected fields of study in core disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and languages and apply that knowledge in diverse contexts; demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of theories, factual content and research procedures and practice in their major and other fields of study; analyse, critically evaluate and communicate ideas and solve problems with intellectual independence in their major and other fields of study; act as informed and critically discriminating participants within the community of scholars; and display highly developed communication skills and, in the case of those students undertaking a language major, read, write and speak another language with fluency and understand its cultural context. BLaws component: demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental areas of law prescribed by the admitting authorities; a wide range of legal and theoretical concepts, values and principles; and have an awareness of international law and an appreciation of Indigenous legal issues; communicate in an effective and persuasive manner an argument, advice or opinion that is clear, coherent and logically sustainable, to both legal and non-legal audiences, both orally and in writing; demonstrate an awareness of global legal, political and social perspectives; demonstrate an ability to design a research strategy and access legal resources including using practical applications that respond to the factual, legal, theoretical and policy issues, to achieve a considered outcome that represents an evaluation of the data generated; demonstrate an appreciation that the law will change and the need for both self-directed and professional legal education that seeks to ensure the currency of legal knowledge; demonstrate an ability to identify issues and apply legal knowledge and principles to complex problems and projects, with a view to constructing relevant, creative and ethically appropriate responses; demonstrate an ability to apply principles of professional and social responsibility in formulating considered responses to ethical issues that require an analysis and evaluation of a diverse range of values, norms and behaviours in the professional, societal and global contexts; demonstrate an ability to engage with others in a way that respects diverse opinions and perspectives to achieve relevant and efficient outcomes that reflect the contribution of all those involved; demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and analyse law's effect on society and, where appropriate, develop arguments for reform; LLB with Honours students: demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental areas of law prescribed by the admitting authorities; a wide range of legal and theoretical concepts, values and principles; and have an awareness of international law and an appreciation of Indigenous legal issues; communicate in an effective and persuasive manner an argument, advice or opinion that is clear, coherent and logically sustainable, to both legal and non-legal audiences, both orally and in writing; demonstrate an awareness of global legal, political and social perspectives; demonstrate an ability to design a research strategy and access legal resources including using practical applications that respond to the factual, legal, theoretical and policy issues, to achieve a considered outcome that represents an evaluation of the data generated; demonstrate an appreciation that the law will change and the need for both self-directed and professional legal education that seeks to ensure the currency of legal knowledge; demonstrate an ability to identify issues and apply legal knowledge and principles to complex problems and projects, with a view to constructing relevant, creative and ethically appropriate responses; demonstrate an ability to apply principles of professional and social responsibility in formulating considered responses to ethical issues that require an analysis and evaluation of a diverse range of values, norms and behaviours in the professional, societal and global contexts; demonstrate an ability to engage with others in a way that respects diverse opinions and perspectives to achieve relevant and efficient outcomes that reflect the contribution of all those involved; demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and analyse law's effect on society and, where appropriate, develop arguments for reform; conceive, plan and implement an independent programme of legal research that could take a theoretical, comparative or an interdisciplinary approach; develop and present an oral summary of an independent programme of legal research; and produce a written thesis that demonstrates original thinking, a high level of research skills and the ability to write critically.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline BA component: Students will possess a depth and breadth of knowledge relevant to their fields of study, and have a well developed understanding of the key principles, practices, and boundaries of their discipline. They will also understand the need to adopt transnational and multicultural approaches to the understanding of issues in these fields. LLB component: Knowledge of the discipline is taught, practised and assessed in both core units and electives; in particular the fundamental discipline areas prescribed by the admitting authorities are taught in the core units. Students will demonstrate an understanding of these key areas that lead to accreditation as a barrister or solicitor in Australia. Students will also be encouraged to consider the law through indigenous, theoretical and international perspectives. Although the focus of an Australian law degree is Australian law, Law units will often provide information about relevant law in other areas of the world in order to encourage a critical perspective. Legal resources may include international law, comparative material such as case-law and legislation from other jurisdictions and also social, political and economic perspectives. LLB with Honours students: Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of one particular area of law that the student has selected to research for their Honours thesis. Communication Skills BA component: Graduates will have skills that enable them to investigate, synthesise and communicate the ideas and information acquired from their areas of study, including, where applicable, the possession of these skills in languages other than English. Graduates will recognise the importance of continuing to develop their communication skills, and be able to use appropriate communication technologies. LLB component: Both oral and written communication skills will be practised and assessed throughout the course. In particular, students will develop skills in legal writing and argument. These skills will benefit participants' ability to communicate with both clients and colleagues in both legal and non-legal contexts. LLB with Honours students: Communicate effectively and confidently orally and in written forms to present well-reasoned arguments, challenge existing theories and defend new ideas and theories in various modes based on doctrinal or interdisciplinary research. Problem Solving BA component: Graduates will have a sound understanding of key problem solving strategies in their fields of study and be able to apply these skills to develop their own responses to particular problems on diverse topics and issues in a range of different environments. LLB component: Students are taught, practised and assessed throughout the course using scenarios requiring students to identify legal issues, apply the law, and construct relevant, creative and ethically appropriate solutions. Students are also encouraged to respond and apply these problem-solving skills to broader societal projects. LLB with Honours students: Manage a project by identifying critical issues and conceptualising problems, critically analyse data collected and other relevant information and formulate recommendations and potential solutions. Information Literacy BA component: Graduates will be taught how to recognise relevant information and to use appropriate media, tools and methodologies to locate, access and use information. They will learn how to critically evaluate the sources, values, and validity of information, as well as to use information in critical and creative thinking. LLB component: Students will be required to use complex databases to obtain relevant information about previous legal cases which will require a high level of information literacy and students will be required to use this information in assessment tasks. LLB with Honours students: Demonstrate an understanding of relevant research methodologies and techniques and their appropriate application within law and other disciplines, and use information collected or generated to construct new concepts or create new understandings. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility BA component: Graduates will be taught to understand and practise the highest standards of ethical behaviour associated with their discipline or profession. They will understand and be open-minded about social, cultural and linguistic diversity in Australia and the world, and appreciate their ethical responsibilities towards colleagues, research subjects, the wider community, and the environment. LLB component: Students are taught to recognise and reflect upon ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts and to develop their ability to exercise professional judgement. Students are also encouraged throughout the course to reflect critically on the impact of the law on society. Lifelong Learning BA component: Graduates will have the skills to continue to research, critically evaluate and discuss issues and as well as acquire further learning. The development of intellectual capacity and critical thinking skills will enable students to be able to research, write about and discuss a range of issues. These skills are transferable and essential lifelong skills. LLB component: This course equips students with the skills needed to ensure the ongoing currency of their legal knowledge; appreciate law as a tool for social justice; and have an understanding that law is a dynamic discipline. Independence and Collaboration BA component: Graduates will develop skills in independent study as well as the ability to work collaboratively. They will learn the importance of participating in discussions in a professional, respectful and ethical manner. LLB component: Students are encouraged to learn and work independently, and where appropriate to collaborate effectively. Students are also encouraged to communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences.