16469 Professional Practice

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: School of the Built Environment
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): (16123 Introduction to Property OR 16136 Introduction to the Built Environment OR 16468 Introduction to the Built Environment)) AND (((96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10214 Bachelor of Construction Project Management OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10215 Bachelor of Construction Project Management Bachelor of International Studies OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10420 Bachelor of Construction Project Management Bachelor of Languages and Cultures)) OR ((96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10011 Bachelor of Property Economics Bachelor of Arts International Studies OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10007 Bachelor of Property Economics OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10431 Bachelor of Property Economics Bachelor of Languages and Cultures))

Description

This subject defines the liabilities of design, construction and property professionals. Contractual problems, ethics and issues in the construction/property industry are examined through the use of legal case studies. Legal research, professional codes and conduct and ethical behaviour are a central focus of this subject. Social responsibility and professional ethics for design, construction and property professionals provide a well-rounded foundation for practice in these disciplines. Approaches to ethical thought, including historical and cultural precedents, provide an evolutionary perspective of this subject.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	understand how the construction and property industries operate within strict legal frameworks
2.	understand the liability of construction and property professionals for claims by clients, consumers, subsequent purchasers of property and the general public
3.	understand the allocation of risk through various construction/property contract provisions
4.	be aware of and understand the main professional codes of conduct in the construction and property industries
5.	understand and discuss the issues surrounding social responsibility and professional ethics for design, construction and property professionals
6.	understand approaches to ethical thought including historical and cultural precedents
7.	be aware of and understand common ethical issues in the construction and property industries
8.	apply ethical behaviour in practice and recognise actions that represent unethical behaviour and/or conflicts of interest
9.	research, investigate and effectively analyse legal cases.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

• Identify ethical issues and apply informed ethical judgements in professional Contexts. (A.1)
• Work effectively in project teams in professional contexts. (C.2)
• Apply the body of knowledge underpinning construction project management practice. (P.2)
• Demonstrate an understanding of construction technology and structural principles. (P.10)
• Source evaluate and use information to approach new projects/problems. (R.1)
• Critically analyse, structure and report the results of a research project. (R.2)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

The learning activities in this subject involve a variety of face-to-face lectures, tutorials and online teaching strategies. Lectures involve face-to-face content delivery employing the use of media and electronic resources to enhance the theoretical delivery of the subject. Emphasis will be placed on independent student pre-reading of lecture material to facilitate greater understanding of each lecture topic area. The tutorial program utilises student group work, student presentations and experiential exercises to link theory and application. Students are further supported through the use of UTS Online offering subject material and information and moderation with the subject coordinator.

Content (topics)

a) Overview of the legal liabilities of design, construction and property professionals
b) Construction/Property Contracts and Risk Allocations
c) Professional Codes of Conduct
d) Ethical Theory 
e) Professional Ethics and Social Responsibility
f) Common Ethical Issues in the Construction/Property Industries
k) Case studies and examples
l) Legal Research and Referencing

 

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Research Report

Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 5 and 9 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1, P.10, P.2 and R.2
Type:	Report
Groupwork:	Group, group assessed
Weight:	30%
Criteria:	Details will be provided in a separate assignment document.
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Demonstrate an understanding of how the construction and property industries operate within strict legal frameworks 20 1 P.2 Demonstrate an understanding of liabilities and claims in construction projects 30 2 P.10, P.2 Demonstrate an understanding social responsibility and professional ethics for design, construction and property professionals 20 5 A.1 Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse, structure and report the results of a research project 30 9 R.2 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Class Quiz: Tutorials / Multiple Choice In class quizzes

Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and 9 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.2, P.2, R.1 and R.2
Type:	Quiz/test
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	40%
Criteria:	Details will be provided in class to answer the questions.
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Demonstrate an understanding of how the construction and property industries operate within strict legal frameworks 20 1 P.2 Demonstrate an understanding of liabilities and claims in construction projects 20 2 P.2 Demonstrate an understanding social responsibility and professional ethics for design, construction and property professionals 20 5, 7 C.2 Demonstrate an understanding of ethical behaviour in practice and actions that represent unethical behaviour and/or conflicts of interest 20 8 C.2 Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse, structure and report the results of a research project 20 9 R.1, R.2 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Final Exam (open Book exam)

Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1, P.2 and R.1
Type:	Examination
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	30%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Demonstrate an understanding of how the construction and property industries operate within strict legal frameworks 20 1 P.2 Demonstrate an understanding of liabilities and claims in construction projects 20 2 P.2 Demonstrate an understanding of risk allocation through various construction/property contract provisions 20 3 R.1 Demonstrate an understanding of professional codes of conduct in the construction and property industries 20 4 A.1 Demonstrate an understanding social responsibility and professional ethics for design, construction and property professionals 20 5, 6 A.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.

Required texts

1. Bailey, I. (2019), Construction Law in Australia - 4th Edition, Thomson Reuters Australia, Limited

Other resources

Examples of other resources used to develop the subject include:

1. Dorter, J. & Sharkey, J. (2009), Building and Construction Contracts in Australia, Law Book Company Australia
2. Turner, C. (2008), Australian Commercial Law, 27th Edition, Lawbook Company Australia
3. Bailey, I. (2008), Understanding Australian Contracts, Lawbook Co. Australia
4. Carter, J. & Harland, D. (2004), Cases and Materials on Contract Law in Australia, 4th Ed, Lexis Butterworths
5. Patten, B. (2003), Professional Negligence in Construction, Taylor & Francis