Current Issues in Constitutional Law

Subject 730-842 (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: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Summer Term, - 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: 24 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite

Formal tertiary qualifications in law or another relevant discipline, or familiarity with the operations of government from a legal or institutional perspective.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Prof Cheryl Saunders
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Understand the issues involved in key areas of constitutional law, selected for their contemporary relevance and significance
  • Understand how and why they arose
  • Be able to analyse the issues, problems and options in depth
  • Have a capacity to contribute to consideration of future developments in each area.

Syllabus:

An examination of selected topics of current significance in Australian constitutional law principal topics are likely to include:

  • Status of the Australian Constitutions
  • Constitutional Interpretation Foreign and International Law in constitutional interpretation
  • Separation of Judicial Power
  • Concept of Executive Power
  • Judicial review of government spending
  • Constitution and intergovernmental relations
  • A national legislative Bill of Rights?
Assessment:
  • Take-home examination (100%) (18-21 April)
    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (29 May) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: 730-842Current Issues in Constitutional LawMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2008

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Understand the issues involved in key areas of constitutional law, selected for their contemporary relevance and significance
  • Understand how and why they arose
  • Be able to analyse the issues, problems and options in depth
  • Have a capacity to contribute to consideration of future developments in each area.

Syllabus:

An examination of selected topics of current significance in Australian constitutional law principal topics are likely to include:

  • Status of the Australian Constitutions
  • Constitutional Interpretation Foreign and International Law in constitutional interpretation
  • Separation of Judicial Power
  • Concept of Executive Power
  • Judicial review of government spending
  • Constitution and intergovernmental relations
  • A national legislative Bill of Rights?
  • Take-home examination (100%) (18-21 April)
    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (29 May) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prerequisite

Formal tertiary qualifications in law or another relevant discipline, or familiarity with the operations of government from a legal or institutional perspective.

N.A.24 26 contact hours per subject.Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.N.A.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.Prof Cheryl SaundersLawFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730842P12.500SummerNLawLaw730-842

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