UnitLevel 1Undergraduate

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.

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 periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonFlexible
Second semesterClaytonFlexible

Assessment

  • In-class quizQuiz / Test
    10%
  • Group presentationPresentation
    20%
  • Professional taskWritten
    25%
  • Invigilated final examinationExamination
    45%

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. 1

    Explain the foundational principles and concepts that underpin Australian private law, including private rights and obligations, legal and equitable interests and remedies.

  2. 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. 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. 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