16467 Built Environment Law and Ethics

Description

This is a core first-year subject in both the Bachelor of Construction Project Management (C10214) and Bachelor of Property Economics (C10310). It provides students with an introduction to law for the built environment. Students are introduced to the Australian legal system, including the processes through which law is made and amended. The subject also covers the principle obligations imposed on construction and property professionals. Examples of the relevant contractual and tortious principles are drawn from cases dealing with construction and property law. It asks students to consider the difference between legal and ethical frameworks and how they apply to the scenarios raised by the case law and problem scenarios considered throughout the subject.

A key feature of the subject is the focus on development of students' communication skills. Students are introduced to the range of skills needed to produce professional opinions and to interrogate and understand expert opinions, using the interpretation of legal opinions and how (and when) to instruct legal experts. The skills students are introduced to include how to read and understand cases (legal opinions) as well as how to structure a professional report and how to use appropriate report/opinion writing and methodology. Students are introduced to reasoning by analogy and by deduction. The emphasis on communication as an expert forms part of the professional communications skills students are required to demonstrate across a range of subjects in their respective degrees and as part of the Graduate Attributes required by both the University and by future employers. It also reflects the University's Proficiency in English Language Requirements.

Students are also taught what constitutes a legal source. A basic introduction to legal citation as well as how to find sources of law is also covered.

Typical availability

Spring session, City campus