LAWGENRL 443 : Introduction to Common Law
Law
2020 Semester One (1203) (10 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course examines nature of the common law, introduces students to common law reasoning, and discusses the role of case law and legislation in a common law system.
The common law traditon, of which the New Zealand legal system is a part, is one of the major global legal traditions. provides an introduction to common law theory and practice including its history, constitutional background, sources and institutions. There is a particular emphasis on using common law reasoning to resolve practical issues. There is also a focus on the passage of legislation and techniques of statutory interpretation, which complement and refine the common law method.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Develop an appropriate understanding of the history, theory and nature of law in a New Zealand context. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 3.1)
- Develop an understanding of the principles of law and the ability to apply these to fact situations. (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 4.1)
- Be able to construct reasoned arguments with claims and conclusions supported by evidence. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 4.1)
- Be able to research solutions to identified problems and make reasoned recommendations. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.3)
- Be able to identify, analyse and evaluate legal rules and principles derived from statutory interpretation and the common law tradition (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3)
- Understand the distinctive nature of the New Zealand legal and constitutional system. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Case Studies | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Assignments | 60% | Individual Coursework |
| 3 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Essay | ||||||||||
| Case Studies | ||||||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This is a standard 10-point course. There will be around 24 hours of lectures in this course. As a general guide, you should expect a workload of three hours outside of the classroom for each hour spent in class. The guideline for the total workload for this course is 100 hours.
Digital Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course director, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a Student Academic and Support Adviser as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.