Undergraduate Course Guide Fremantle 2020

63 APPLY DIRECT NOTREDAME.EDU.AU SCHOOL OF LAW The School of Law is # 1 for Quality of Educational Experience The School offers an academically rigorous, distinctive and practice- based law program that fosters ethical graduates. Students are engaged within both the legal profession and wider community through initiatives such as our prestigious Eminent Speakers Series, where recognised experts speak on contemporary legal and professional matters. These are some of the reasons why Notre Dame is the #1 university in Australia in the learning area of Law and Paralegal Studies for 'Overall quality of educational experience'. Notre Dame is also #1 in WA for the following indicators, based on the results of nationwide student surveys commissioned by the Federal Government (see qilt.edu.au ): ›› Skills development ›› Teaching quality ›› Learner engagement ›› Full-time graduate employment ›› Student support Critical thinking We place strong emphasis on integrating legal theory and practice and therefore develop core academic, legal and professional skills across the curriculum. Our focus on small class sizes and practical, authentic assessment means that you are given opportunities throughout the degree to develop into a competent researcher and critical problem solver with excellent communications skills. Starting in first year, you complete two skills-focused courses—Legal Process & Statutory Interpretation and Legal Research & Writing—which lay the groundwork for the remainder of your studies. Later year courses, such as Advocacy, continue this focus on skills development as equally important to learning the content of Law. These courses help students to develop problem solving skills within the legal context as well as considering the importance of adapting to different contexts and audiences. Clients, courts and law reform situations require different ways of thinking and presenting arguments. The focus on problem solving and practical teaching approaches in traditional Law subjects is complemented by compulsory courses throughout the degree, including Legal History, Legal Philosophy and our three International Courses (of which students must choose at least one). These courses challenge you to recognise the origins of the legal system and to think critically about the Law and how current legal rules and structures may be questioned, changed and improved. Professional experience Real world professional experience is key to our Law program. You participate in community service in the first of two compulsory, ethics- focused courses. You also have the opportunity to volunteer at the School’s ‘pop up’ Legal Clinic, where qualified lawyers (including many alumni of the School) offer legal advice to members of the community who would otherwise be unable to access legal services. Mooting and advocacy competitions provide you with further opportunities to develop your practical legal and advocacy skills. See page 27. Accreditation The curriculum has been designed to satisfy both State and national professional admission requirements. A person who obtains the Bachelor of Laws degree and completes the required Practical Legal Training (PLT) is eligible to apply for admission as a legal practitioner in Western Australia and to all other jurisdictions in Australia. Honours You may be invited to enrol in an Honours program during your final year, during which you will complete an Advanced Research Project under the guidance of a supervisor. Double degree options The Bachelor of Laws can be combined with a variety of other Notre Dame degrees, including those from the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business, Health Sciences or Philosophy & Theology. Double degrees with the Bachelor of Laws: ›› Bachelor of Arts ›› Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Journalism) ›› Bachelor of Behavioural Science ›› Bachelor of Biomedical Science ›› Bachelor of Commerce ›› Bachelor of Communications & Media ›› Bachelor of Human Resource Management ›› Bachelor of Marketing & Public Relations ›› Bachelor of Philosophy ›› Bachelor of Science Career opportunities The University prepares and encourages you to assume leadership positions in a way which positively contributes to organisations and society. Complemented with unique opportunities for work experience and professional accreditation, our Law degrees equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to enter a highly competitive global workforce and achieve success in your chosen career path. Completing a Law degree does not limit you to working in a legal firm. Other career opportunities include: ›› Media ›› State/Federal government Agencies ›› Banking & Finance ›› Academia ›› Private enterprise ›› International & regional organisations “Our contemporary, ethical and practice-based law program aims to develop students who are confident, self-motivated and independent thinkers, and who have the legal and professional skills to successfully pursue their chosen careers and make a positive contribution to society.” Professor Joan Squelch / Dean, School of Law Find out more notredame.edu.au/freo/law