Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

UDB102 introduces students to the Australian legal environment in which they will be working. It addresses specific legal issues that relate to urban development, such as torts, contract law and business law issues. An understanding of the legal framework is essential to professionals practising in all areas of the built environment.

Aims

This unit will provide you with the concepts and principles of the Australian legal system, torts, contract, statutory and business law. This unit will help you to acquire both an understanding of the key concepts as well as develop the ability to apply the law to different scenarios and problem solving situations in urban development.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Analyse and resolve problem situations and communicate answers in an effective manner;
2. Apply analytical and interpretative skills when considering and reporting upon common law, precedent and statute law;
3. Recognise and consider the distinction between statutory duties and contractual duties, discriminatory powers and professional responsibilities and how a duty of care (torts) may flow from these duties;
4. Identify the duty of care necessary for stakeholders and related commercial risk;
5. Incorporate the knowledge and skills in law pertinent to your discipline;
6. Explain and apply a range of legal and common law decision making principles and processes in the urban development context and use these to solve problems.

Content

The unit covers the following:

• Australian legal system


• Liability for Defective products


• Liability for Misrepresentation and Unfair Commercial Conduct


• Law of Contracts


• Contracts for Sale of Goods


• Business Law

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode:
Hours per week: 3
Lecture: 2 hours
Tutorial: 1 hour

Teaching and learning strategies are designed to encourage you to fulfil the aims and learning outcomes of this unit. The delivery of this unit is based around 13 lectures and tutorials. Students will get the most out of these lectures and tutorials if all necessary learning tasks are completed prior to attending.

You are required to spend approximately 9 hours per week reading the prescribed text, attempting online quizzes and working though tutorial problems.

This unit is supported by the QUT UDB102 Blackboard site that provides access to unit information including teaching and assessment materials.

Assessment

The assessment will comprise formative assessment (feedback in class from tutors and through group discussions) and summative assessment (assignments and an end of year exam).

QUT's Assessment Policy is located at MOPP C/5.1.You will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

• Informal: worked example, verbal feedback in lecture and tutorial


• Formal: in writing, such as criteria sheets, written comments


• Direct: to individual students, in written form or in consultation


• Indirect: to the whole class, in lectures, tutorials and via unit Blackboard

Assessment name: Mid-Semester Exam
Description: Problem solving, multiple choice and/or short answer questions.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Essay
Description: You will conduct self-directed research and produce an essay in which you:
- Discuss the relevant laws dealing with the construction industry;
- Discuss how these laws have been applied in in buiding and construction law cases; and
- Discuss the positive effect of these laws on the construction industry.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 10

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Problem solving, multiple choice and/or short answer questions.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Text:
You are required to have your own copy of the following:
1. Sweeney, B., O'Reilly, J. and Coleman, A. (2010) Law in Commerce. 4th ed. LexisNexis, Butterworths, Australia

Other Resources:
1. You are required to used Lexis Nexis companion website for Law in Commerce
2. Additional reference can also be found at the unit Blackboard site

Risk assessment statement

In this unit, you will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit. During any site visits, you will be required to follow normal workplace, health and safety procedures.

Additional Costs:
There are no extraordinary costs associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 30-May-2012