Privacy Law

Subject LAWS70082 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

July, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Prerequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Corequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Contact

For the most up-to-date information about this subject, contact the Melbourne Law Masters Office by email at law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone 8344 6190 or alternatively visit the subject website: www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

Principal topics will include:

  • What is privacy? Conceptual and legal definitional issues
  • International and comparative privacy and data protection regimes
  • Protection of privacy at general law in Australia and comparable jurisdictions
  • The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the regulation of personal information held by the private and public sectors
  • State/territory (especially Victorian) legislative regimes for the regulation of personal information
  • Current topics in privacy law such as privacy and the media, privacy and health information (including genetic information), online privacy including anti-spam laws, telecommunications and surveillance privacy
  • Current reform proposals and likely reforms.
Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Understand the evolving body of Australian law that recognises and protects 'privacy'
  • Be able to evaluate Australia's privacy law regime, drawing on relevant sources of law, as well as commentaries and critiques
  • Have a good understanding of the legal and policy issues involved with the protection of privacy at general law
  • Have a good understanding of the commonwealth and state regimes for regulating information privacy/data protection
  • Be able to demonstrate an awareness of the broader context, involving discussion of policy issues, current debates and trends, and law reform in Australia and elsewhere.
Assessment:

Class participation (10%)
Take-home examination (90%) (17-20 September)
or
8,000 word research paper (90%) (21 October) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
Prescribed Texts: Visit the subject website for more information
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Links to further information: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/

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