Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

Property and property rights are fundamental to the social values of Australian society. A practicing property professional needs a thorough understanding of the structure of the legal system and the role of the legal system in recognising, defining and protecting property rights. Every property professional needs a good understanding of property and property rights and the system of registration of significant property interests under the Torrens Title system.

Aims

This unit aims to introduce you to the fundamental concepts associated with property and property law as it impacts on your future role within the property industry.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to understand the following:
1. The structure of the legal system and the system of government in Queensland.
2. The influence of the legal system on property assets and property transactions.
3. The political, legal, economic and social context within which property law exists.
4. The impact of real property rights on the utility of a property asset.
5. The impact of encumbrances on title on the utility of a property asset.
6. Resolution of problem situations and communication of answers in an effective manner both in written and oral form.

Content

This unit covers:
- Introduction to property concepts
- The development of real property law in Queensland
- The doctrine of tenure and estates
- Native title
- Land ownership rights
- Community titles
- Equity and property law
- Legislation relating to the built environment in Queensland
- Leases - commercial, retail and residential
- The Torrens system of land registration
- Co-ownership
- Easements, covenants and mortgages

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode: Hours per week: 3

A three hour interactive lecture has been scheduled each week commencing in week 1. The lectures will provide you with information on the content of the unit and will assist you to focus your learning. Part of the lecture time will be allocated to answering problem based scenarios to develop your critical evaluation and thinking skills and your skills in applying the law to a practical situation. You will be required to actively participate in class discussions.

Learning Approaches:
Learning approaches will cover the following:
Problem based
Self-learning
Individual learning
Team based learning
Experiential learning
Exposition
Presentation

Assessment

The assessment for this unit follows the assessment policy stated in the Manual of Policies and Procedures (MOPP) section 5.1.1

This unit will comprise both formative and summative approaches to assessment involving a mix of formats.Formative assessment in the form of feedback to you will be provided during discussions in lectures.

Assessment name: Presentation (Oral or Group)
Description: This assessment task will involve your group leading an interactive discussion to apply the law to a given problem in order to resolve a problem or ascertain the legal position of an identified party. It is anticipated that the discussion will take approximately 30 minutes.
Final item due week 13 (formative assessment given weekly)
Relates to objectives: 5. The impact of encumbrances on title on the utility of a property asset.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Throughout the sem

Assessment name: Research Paper
Description: You will be required to prepare a research paper which is based on an element of theory covered in the curriculum.
Relates to objectives: 2. The influence of the legal system on property assets and property transactions.
3. The political, legal, economic and social context within which property law exists.
4. The impact of real property rights on the utility of a property asset.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: An formal examination held during the scheduled examination period whereby you will be examined on your understanding of the theory and the application of the theory to problem based questions.
Relates to objectives: 1. The structure of the legal system and the system of government in Queensland.
2. The influence of the legal system on property assets and property transactions.
3. The political, legal, economic and social context within which property law exists.
4. The impact of real property rights on the utility of a property asset.
5. The impact of encumbrances on title on the utility of a property asset.
6. Resolution of problem situations and communication of answers in an effective manner both in written and oral form.
Weight: 50%
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

Type: Book
Author: Frazer S.A.
Title: How to Study Law
Year: 1997 Publisher: Lawbook Company
Edition: 2nd edition
Web address: nil

Type: Book
Author: Tan, P-L., Webb, E., Wright, D.
Title: Land Law, Butterworths Tutorial Series
Year: 2002 Publisher: Lexis Nexis Butterworths
Edition: 2nd edition

Type: Book
Author: Chambers, R.
Title: An Introduction to Property Law in Australia
Year: 2008 Publisher: Lexis LBC Information Series
Edition: 2nd Edition

Risk assessment statement

You will undertake interactive lectures 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.

Additional Costs
There are no additional costs anticipated in completing 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: 19-Oct-2012