LAW 2501 - Australian Constitutional Law

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

The course discusses selected topics relating to the Australian constitutional system. Topics include Commonwealth and State legislative power, including constitutional interpretation; the process of characterisation and an examination of heads of power specified in s51 of the Australian Constitution; the legal relations between the Commonwealth and the States and the resolution of inconsistencies between laws; implications in The Australian Constitution; Commonwealth and State social and economic relations; and constitutional rights.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code LAW 2501
    Course Australian Constitutional Law
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Law School
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate Law (LLB)
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites LAW 1504
    Incompatible LAW 2003
    Restrictions Available to LLB and B.Criminology with B.Laws and BArts Advanced with B.Laws students only
    Course Description The course discusses selected topics relating to the Australian constitutional system. Topics include Commonwealth and State legislative power, including constitutional interpretation; the process of characterisation and an examination of heads of power specified in s51 of the Australian Constitution; the legal relations between the Commonwealth and the States and the resolution of inconsistencies between laws; implications in The Australian Constitution; Commonwealth and State social and economic relations; and constitutional rights.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Anna Olijnyk

    Cornelia Koch 

    Any questions about the organisation of the course or general course matters should be directed to Anna (anna.olijnyk@adelaide.edu.au) after first checking this outline. All questions regarding a student’s learning in Australian Constitutional Law should be raised with seminar leaders or the course coordinator, Anna Olijnyk. 

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Lectures

    All lectures will be recorded and placed on MyUni. 

    Seminars

    Students in this course are expected to attend or listen to all lectures throughout the semester plus one two-hour seminar class each fortnight. Please enrol in a seminar via Access Adelaide.

    Seminars run on a fortnightly cycle from week 1 to week 12. Students must check their timetable carefully to ensure they attend their seminar in the correct week.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Describe, analyse and evaluate the principles of constitutional law, the criteria for validity of Commonwealth laws and the role of institutions of government in making, executing and interpreting laws. 
    2. Apply constitutional law to complex problems, and reflect on and critique the operation of constitutional law from a theoretical/policy perspective.
    3. Structure and sustain concise and cohesive written and verbal arguments for a mixed audience. Communicate effectively.
    4. Exercise professional judgement in managing a constitutional law dispute in an ethical and professional manner.
    5. Analyse the impact of constitutional law principles in Australia with a focus on the diverse peoples subject to them.
    6. Describe and evaluate ways in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge are recognised in the Australian Constitution and its interpretation.
    The Legal Practitioners' Education and Admissions Council (LPEAC) sets rules for the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in South Australia.
    Students must demonstrate a satisfactory level of understanding and application of 11 core areas of legal knowledge. This course teaches the following topics within these core areas:

    CONSTITUTIONAL LAW:
    State constitutions and constitutional systems,   
    The constitution and operation of the legislature,
    and
    The relationship between the different levels of government.

    ADMINISTRATIVE LAW:  
    Crown immunity
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    5

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    1. Seminar Guides (Available on MyUni).
    2. Sarah Joseph and Melissa Castan, Federal Constitutional Law: A Contemporary View (Thomson Reuters, 6th ed, 2024).
    3. The Australian Constitution (Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (UK)). Students can download a copy from the Parliament of Australia website at https://www.aph.gov.au/about_parliament/senate/powers_practice_n_procedures/constitution.  
    4. The South Australian Constitution (Constitution Act 1934 (SA)) Students can download a copy from the South Australian Parliament’s website at http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/.
    5. Additional readings will be specified on MyUni. 
    Recommended Resources
    Students may wish to dip into alternative texts to understand the area in greater depth, or just to read a different perspective on a topic. Good texts for these purposes include:

    • George Williams, Sean Brennan and Andrew Lynch, Blackshield and Williams Australian Constitutional Law and Theory (Federation Press, 8th (standard) ed, 2024) (the leading text for practitioners)
    • Nicholas Aroney et al, Winterton's Australian Federal Constitutional Law (Lawbook, 5th ed, 2022) (a good book of commentary and materials including some useful case extracts)
    For students who wish to revise the basic principles of public law, we recommend Gabrielle Appleby, Alex Reilly and Laura Grenfell, Australian Public Law (Oxford University Press, 4th ed, 2023).

    Optional online modules examining key cases and concepts in depth will be available on MyUni.
    Online Learning
    MyUni will be used to post announcements, post additional lecture materials (including slides, and where available, audio recordings of lectures) and announce assignment tasks. It will also contain electronic copies of the topic guides, online presentations, and other materials.

    Students are expected to check MyUni regularly to keep up to date with these materials and additional learning resources throughout the course.

    Students are encouraged to use the discussion board on MyUni.

    The interim assignments will be submitted, marked, and returned electronically.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be taught through lectures and seminars. Students are required to complete set readings for each seminar. Students may choose to supplement these compulsory activities with modules on key cases and concepts. 

    Lectures will provide a basic overview of the various topics in the course and will elucidate some of the connecting themes between the various parts of the course. In the lectures, the general legal principles in a topic will be covered, rather than the detail of the cases in that topic. Students are expected to learn this detail through the readings and seminars.

    Seminars are optional but strongly encouraged. Students should expect their performance in the course to be negatively affected if they miss even one seminar. In seminars, students will apply and explore their understanding of the material; seminars will not be used for information delivery. Before attending their seminars, students are expected to complete set readings and attempt to answer the questions set in the seminar guide. Each seminar guide: 
    - Identifies the readings students must complete before the seminar, the lectures associated with the seminar, and the online modules students may choose to watch before the seminar;
    - Sets out the presumed knowledge students are expected to bring to the seminar; and 
    - Contains the discussion questions, activities and problems that will form the basis of the seminar.

    Readings are an essential element of learning in this course. Students are expected to complete the required readings before the relevant seminar. All required readings are examinable. 

    Optional online presentations will provide students with further detail on some of the key cases and concepts in the readings and lectures. These presentations are optional; they are intended to supplement the compulsory materials. 

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The University expects full time students (those undertaking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means students in this course are expected to devote 12 hours per week to this subject. 

    Contact time: attend 2 hour seminar every fortnight; attend, or watch online, a 2 hour lecture each week. This amounts to 36 hours of formal class time across the semester.

    Preparation time: In addition to attending formal classes it is anticipated that students will do substantial independent work to prepare for classes and to complete the course assessments. This includes reading the material, preparing for seminars, and undertaking assessment tasks.
    Learning Activities Summary

    The course is likely to cover the topics set out below. The coverage of topics may change; an up-to-date table of learning activities will be available on MyUni.

    Schedule
    Week Lecture Seminar
    Week 1 Interpretation and characterisation Seminar 1: Interpretation and characterisation
    Week 2 Corporations power
    Week 3 External affairs Seminar 2: Corporations power
    Week 4 Defence Power
    Week 5 Fiscal federalism Seminar 3: External affairs and defence power
    Week 6 Section 92
    Mid-Semester Break
    Week 7 Intergovernmental immunities Seminar 4: Fiscal federalism and s 92
    Week 8 Inconsistent laws
    Week 9 Implied freedom of political communication I Seminar 5: Intergovernmental immunities and inconsistent laws
    Week 10 Implied freedom of political communication II
    Week 11 Assignment feedback/Revision Seminar 6: Implied freedom of political communication
    Week 12 Revision
    Specific Course Requirements
    There are no additional requirements except those specified in this profile.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Group/individual Weighting Due Length Redeemable Learning Outcome
    Online quizzes Individual 10% Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12 N/A N 1, 2, 4
    Interim assignment Individual 25% Friday, first week of mid-semester break 1200 words Y (if bona fide effort made) 1, 2, 3, 4
    Recorded presentation Group 10% Weeks 3-12 5 minutes Y 1, 5, 6
    Exam Individual 55-90% Exam period 2 hours N 1, 2, 3, 5



    Assessment Related Requirements
    No special requirements
    Assessment Detail
    1. Interim Assignment 25%

    Redeemable, so long as a bona fide effort (as judged by the course coordinator) has been demonstrated. 

    Due Date: Friday, first week of the mid-semester break

    Description: The interim assignment will consist of a problem question, similar to the questions to be set in the exam. The assignment will assess the material covered in the first four weeks of lectures.

    Marking Criteria: The assignment will be assessed against the following criteria:
    · Demonstrated understanding of constitutional law;
    · Ability to identify relevant legal issues and case law;
    · Capacity to apply the law in a logical and considered manner;
    · Ability to construct an argument in the student's own words;
    · Written communication skills;
    · Proper and accurate citation of sources.

    2. Online quizzes 10%

    Non-redeemable

    Because of the importance of keeping up with the material, there will be a compulsory online quiz in weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12 to test students' understanding of the concepts covered in the lectures and readings. There will be 5 questions in each quiz: a total of 50 questions across the semester. The grade will be based on the total number of correct answers. For example, a student who answers 30 questions correctly across the semester will receive a grade of 60% for this assessment item.

    Each quiz must be completed by 5pm the day after the relevant lecture. 

    If a student is unable to complete a quiz by the due date for substantiated reasons covered by the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy, they may contact the Course Coordinator to arrange an alternative. 

    If a student does not complete a quiz by the due date, and does not have substantiated reasons covered by the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy, they will receive a mark of 0 for that quiz.

    3. Recorded presentation 10%

    Redeemable, so long as a bona fide effort (as judged by the course coordinator) has been demonstrated. If the course coordinator determines that a student has not contributed satisfactorily to the group, that student may be deemed not to have made a bona fide effort. 

    Due Date: on a date to be assigned between weeks 3 and 12 

    Description: Working in groups, students will record a five minute presentation on a question relating to the course material. Groups, topics, and due dates will be assigned in week 1.    

    Marking Criteria: The presentation will be assessed against the following criteria:
    · Demonstrated understanding of constitutional law and theory;
    · Critical reflection on constitutional law and theory;
    · Clear response to question;
    · Structure and organisation of presentation;
    · Verbal and visual communication skills.

    5. Exam 55-90% (depending on whether assignment and recorded presentation marks are redeemed)
    The exam will take place during the exam period. 

    The exam will consist of a problem question or questions, similar in style to the Interim Assignment question. This is an open book exam.

    All topics are examinable. 

    The exam will be assessed on the following criteria:
    · Demonstrated understanding of constitutional law;
    · Ability to identify relevant legal issues and case law;
    · Capacity to apply the law in a logical and considered manner;
    · Ability to construct an argument in the student's own words;
    · Written communication skills.
    Submission
    Students must retain a copy of all assignments submitted.

    All assignments in this course are to be submitted electronically through Turnitin. All assessments will be submitted and monitored through text or code comparative software (e.g. Turnitin) where possible.

    All written work in the Law school is required to comply with the approved Law School style guide, The Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition).

    Extensions: Requests for extensions must be made electronically according to law school policy. Extensions will be granted only in accordance with the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy

    Late Submission Penalties: When an assessment is submitted after the due date, without an extension, 5% of the totalmark possible will be deducted for every 24 hours or part thereof that it is late, including each day on a weekend and public holidays. For example, an assignment that is submitted after the due date and time but within the first 24 hour period, and that has been graded at 63%, will have 5% deducted, for a final grade of 58%. An essay that is more than 24 hours late will lose 10%, etc.

    Word Length Penalties: 5% of the total mark possible for a written assessment will be deducted for every 100 words(or part thereof) by which it exceeds a stipulated word limit. For example, a 1,200 word assignment graded at 63% will have 5% deducted if it is between 1,201 and 1,300 words long for a finalmark of 58%. If the assignment is between 1,301 and 1,400 words long, 10% will be deducted for afinal mark of 53%, etc. Word limits include all words in the text, in headings, in quotations, but exclude citations in footnotes. Any separate cover page, table of contents, bibliography or listof sources is excluded from the word limit. If the word limit is misstated, this may be regarded as academic dishonesty.

    Time Penalties: For the group presentation, 5% of the total mark possible for every 30 seconds (or part thereof) by which the presentation exceeds the time limit. For example, a presentation of 5 minutes 36 seconds graded at 63% will have 10% deducted for a final mark of 53%. 

    Artificial Intelligence: You must not submit work for assessment at the University that is not your own. Remember that when it comes to assessment, we want to assess your skills and understanding, not what AI can do! 

    The following behaviours amount to breaches of the University's Academic Integrity Policy
    1. submitting work which was completed or partially completed by a third party; or 
    2. submitting work for assessment that is not your own, without attribution or reference to the original source. 

    This includes submitting work which was wholly, or partly, created by an AI tool. 

    Academic staff in the Adelaide Law School will closely monitor your assessment submissions to ensure that you do not inappropriately use AI in work submitted for assessment. 
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

    Finality of Assessment Grades

    Students are advised that Course Coordinators will not enter into negotiations of any kind with any student regarding changes to their grades. It is irrelevant, in any given circumstance, that only a minimal number of additional marks are required to inflate a student’s grade for any individual assessment item or course as a whole. Pursuant to the University’s Assessment for Coursework Programs Policyand the Adelaide Law School Assessment Policies and Procedures, grades may only be varied through the appropriate channels for academic review (such as an official re-mark).

    Moderation
    In accordance with the University’s Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, course coordinators ‘ensure that appropriate marking guidelines and cross-marking moderation processes across markers are in place’ in each course. Procedures adopted by Adelaide Law School to ensure consistency of marking in courses with multiple markers include:
    • assurance of the qualifications of markers, and their knowledge of the content covered in each course;
    • detailed marking guidelines and assessment rubrics to assist in the marking of items of assessment;
    • sharing of example marked assessments at various grade bands across markers;
    • reviewing of selected marked assessments from each marker by the course coordinator;
    • comparison of the marks and their distribution across markers;
    • automatic double-marking of all interim assessment receiving a fail grade, and of final assessments where a student’s overall result is a fail grade;
    • the availability of re-marking of assessments in accordance with Adelaide Law School’s Assessment Policies and Procedures.

    Approval of Results by Board of Examiners
    Students are reminded that all assessment results are subject to approval (and possible moderation/change) by the Law School’s Board of Examiners. Assessment results at the University are not scaled. Under the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, students are assessed ‘by reference to their performance against pre-determined criteria and standards … and not by ranking against the performance of the student cohort in the course’. However, under that same policy, the Board of Examiners (as the relevant Assessment Review Committee for courses at Adelaide Law School) is required to ‘ensure comparability of standards and consistency’ in assessment. On occasions, the Board of Examiners will form the view that some moderation is required to ensure the comparability of standards and consistency across courses and years, and accordingly provide fairness to all law students. All assessment results are therefore subject to approval (and possible change) until confirmed by the Board of Examiners and posted on Access Adelaide at the end of each semester.
  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
    The University Writing Centre provides academic learning and language development services and resources for local, international, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled at the University of Adelaide.

    The centre offers practical advice and strategies for students to master reading, writing, note-taking, time management, oral presentation skills, referencing techniques and exam preparation for success at university through seminars, workshops and individual consultations.

    Lex Salus Program
    Lex Salus (law and wellbeing) is an initiative of the Adelaide Law School aimed at destigmatising mental health issues; promoting physical, mental and emotional wellness; building a strong community of staff and students; and celebrating diversity within the school. It also seeks to promote wellness within the legal profession, through the involvement of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia, the Honourable Chris Kourakis, as the official Patron of the program.

    Students can participate in the Lex Salus program by attending barbecue lunches, pancake breakfasts, knitting and crochet circles, seminars, guest speakers, conferences and other activities. Our Facebook page, website and regular all-student emails promote upcoming events, and have tips and information on wellness.

    Our Lex Salus YouTube channel also includes videos on topics like managing stress, and interviews with LGBTQ lawyers and their supporters which celebrate diversity and individuality. Students who commit to 10 hours of volunteering with Lex Salus in one year can have their service recognised on their academic transcript and through a thank you morning tea with the Chief Justice and law school staff.

    Student Life Counselling Support
    The University’s Student Life Counselling Support service provides free and confidential service to all enrolled students. We encourage you to contact the Student Life Counselling Support service on 8313 5663 to make an appointment to deal with any issues that may be affecting your study and life.
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

    Academic Integrity
    All students must be familiar with the University’s Academic Integrity Policy. Academic Misconduct is a serious matter and is treated as such by the Law School and the University. Academic Misconduct (which goes beyond plagiarism) can be a ground for a refusal by the Supreme Court of South Australia to admit a person to practice as a legal practitioner in South Australia. Academic Integrity is an essential aspect of ethical and honest behaviour, which is central to the practice of the law and an understanding of what it is to be a lawyer.
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.