Principles of Business Law

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

(1) A weekly lecture; (2) A weekly e-tutorial to be done out-of-class; (3) A weekly (optional) drop-in consultation session with tutors and regular (optional) exam-practice/skills development sessions with tutors.

Four hours per week.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills, and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to providing support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/.

Principles of Business Law provides an introduction to law from a business perspective. This subject is available as a level 1 breadth subject to students in all faculties. Topics include: the nature and purpose of law; how law develops and changes; how new law is made; how to read and understand legislation and case law; how legally binding agreements (contracts) are created; how to understand the terms of a contract; what must be done to discharge contractual obligations; how contracts are enforced if there is a breach of contract; special circumstances in which performance of a contract can be avoided; liability in tort law for negligence; and the law of agency.

Note 1: Principles of Business Law is a prerequisite for Corporate Law and Taxation Law.

Note 2: This subject is recommended to students in any faculty and in any year of study who would like to study an introductory law subject.

Note 3: This subject is not available to LLB or JD students.

The objectives of this course are to:

• Explain the nature and role of law in society;
• Describe the sources of Australian law;
• Find, interpret and apply case-law and legislation;
• Explain and apply the principles of contract law in business situations;
• Explain and apply the basic principles of liability in tort law;
• Explain and apply statutory consumer protection legislation; and
• Explain and apply the law of agency.

Two hour-long multiple-choice tests (10% each) in weeks 4 and 9; and 1.5 hour end of semester examination (80%).

First Principles of Business Law (Source Book and accompanying downloadable software) - latest edition.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of the subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

• The capacity for close reading and analysis of a range of legal source materials;
• The capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection;
• The capacity to solve problems, including through the collection and evaluation of information;
• The capacity to effectively plan and manage time;
• Intercultural sensitivity and understanding.

In addition, on completion of the subject, students should have developed the following skills specific to the discipline of law:

• Ability to find, interpret and apply legal source materials;
• Ability to find and apply legal principles and rules to resolve specific issues.