LAW1115 Private law and legal reasoning
Faculty of Law
LAW1115 Private law and legal reasoning is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Law, offered in 2027 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 3 units, leading on to 6 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2027
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 45%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
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Requisites
Before LAW1115
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
After LAW1115
3 units list LAW1115 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
In this unit you will explore how private law shapes the world around us. Moving beyond abstract theory, you will navigate ten critical themes that bridge the gap between legal doctrine and everyday reality. From the mechanics of buying, working, and owning to the complexities of the gig economy and climate change, the legalities of inheritance and start-ups, you will analyse how law responds to modern disruptions and societal shifts. You will build foundational knowledge in core areas, including contract, tort, property, and corporations law, alongside specialised topics like intellectual property and consumer protection. Beyond content, you will examine essential legal reasoning methods from issue spotting and precedent reasoning to law reform and policy analysis, as well as the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate a complex legal landscape. Importantly you will closely examine indigenous perspectives on private law.
Offerings in 2027
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Flexible |
| Second semester | Clayton | Flexible |
Assessment
- In-class quizQuiz / Test10%
- Group presentationPresentation20%
- Professional taskWritten25%
- Invigilated final examinationExamination45%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Explain the foundational principles and concepts that underpin Australian private law, including private rights and obligations, legal and equitable interests and remedies.
- 2
Identify and explain how historical, social and contemporary contexts shape the development and operation of private law, including First Nations perspectives and the challenges posed by climate change.
- 3
Apply foundational legal research and reasoning skills to straightforward private law problems, using relevant legal, factual and policy materials and reasoning through precedent, analogy and distinction.
- 4
Communicate legal information and reasoning effectively, individually and collaboratively, to a range of audiences.
Workload and teaching
- Seminars12 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
Learning resources
Required resources
See the Moodle unit page for prescribed and recommended resources. Prescribed texts are usually available for purchase through the University Bookstore and are sometimes available for short-term loan or as eBooks through the library.
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for LAW1115?
None, but you must take LAW1111 before or alongside it.
What can I take after LAW1115?
LAW1115 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 3 units, including LAW2103, LAW2113 and LAW3113. Those lead on to 6 units in all.
When is LAW1115 offered?
In 2027, LAW1115 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is LAW1115?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does LAW1115 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 45% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
More details
- Credit points
- 6
- Level
- 1
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Faculty
- Faculty of Law
- Type
- Coursework
- EFTSL
- 0.125
- Student contribution
- SCA Band 4
- Study abroad
- Available
- Handbook years
- 2027