LAWS6094Indigenous Peoples, Issues and the Law

Course handbook

Description

This course empowers students to critically evaluate the relations between Indigenous peoples in Australia and the Australian legal system, from colonisation to the present day. It uses critical race theory as a lens through which to view the operation of law in a range of areas, including criminal law, property, constitutional law and international law. Indigenous Peoples, Issues and the Law is the only stand-alone course in the Law curriculum to centralise the study of Indigenous-related content, perspectives and law.

Availability2024 Course Timetables

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Apply critical race theory principles to a body of knowledge regarding the interactions between Indigenous peoples and the Australian legal system, in a range of contexts for professional practice;

2. Critically evaluate, through research and synthesis of complex concepts, the operation of Australian law and legal institutions in relation to Indigenous peoples;

3. Interpret contentious issues affecting the legal status and experiences of Indigenous peoples in Australia, and apply legal doctrine and other conceptual tools to solve problems in preparation for professional practice;

4. Demonstrate advanced communication skills to justify conclusions on key legal issues affecting Indigenous peoples in Australia, to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Content

The topics in this course include:

1. Critical race theory
2. Colonisation and dispossession
3. Development of government policies in relation to Indigenous peoples
4. The Stolen Generations and child welfare
5. Anti-discrimination law
6. Land rights and native title
7. Indigenous peoples and the criminal justice system
8. Self-determination and international law
9. Sovereignty and constitutional reform

Requisite

This course is only available to students enrolled in the programs:

[12334] Juris Doctor/Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (JD)

[12340] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12341] Bachelor of Social Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12342] Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12343] Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice/Bachelor of Laws(Honours)

[12346] Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12347] Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Diploma of Legal Practice

[12348] Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40036] Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40037] Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40129] Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40130] Bachelor of Development Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40150] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40188] Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40189] Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40272] Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40279] Bachelor of Coastal and Marine Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40280] Bachelor of Biomedicine/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40290] Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[50005] Bachelor of Media and Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[50016] Juris Doctor

Assessment items

Presentation: Presentation: Oral presentation in seminar

Written Assignment: Written Assignment - Law reform submission

Written Assignment: Written Assignment: Case note or advocacy submission

Contact hours

Semester 1 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct

Course outline

• LAWS6094 - Semester 1, 2024 (All) (PDF, 191.2 KB)