Tax Welfare and Society

Subject 730-262 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2008.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: One 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: Legal Method and Reasoning; Principles of Public Law; Torts or in each case their equivalents. Students may find it advantageous to have studied or be concurrently studying Taxation Law.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Ms M Stewart
Subject Overview:

Taxing and spending are core functions of government. They are also central ways that our society, through the state, seeks to encourage economic growth, to provide welfare for the disadvantaged, and to direct our work, consumption, saving and investment behavior. Taxes and expenditures affect most of our major economic and life decisions about work, family, education, housing, an ageing society and the environment. This subject examines the law and policy at the intersection of tax, welfare, government expenditure and regulation in respect of key topics of our times. The subject will first provide an analysis of core issues in respect of tax, expenditure and regulatory policy. It will then examine the law and policy on specific current topics, addressing the themes and life decisions set out above, bringing a critical analytical perspective to bear on these issues.

Note: The essay in this subject is regarded as a substantial piece of legal ­writing.
Assessment: Two response papers based on the class readings, 10%, to be allocated by the subject coordinator and a research essay of 5000 words, 90% (due end of semester); or two response papers based on the class readings, 10%, to be allocated by the subject coordinator and a take home examination, 90% (to be held final week of semester).
Prescribed Texts: Printed Materials will be issued by the Faculty of Law.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

A student who completes this subject should have acquired or enhanced the following generic skills:

  • Critical thinking and analytical skills;
  • Openness to new ideas;
  • A preparedness to debate complex issues that have no clear solution;
  • Capacities in information seeking, evaluation and retrieval, in particular the use of online resources of international institutions and state governments;
  • Communication skills, oral and written

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