Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Arts
with a major in Social Media
This course has been replaced with a newer course - this course is closed for new enrolments, the information on this page is provided for continuing students.
The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts offers students a course focused on commercial law with emphasis on intellectual property law. As the only double degree in Victoria with this specialisation, students learn about trade marks, patents and designs, copyright, the prohibition of misleading or deceptive conduct and competition law.
The course also provides a general understanding of contemporary social and cultural developments. Students choose from a range of Arts majors, enabling specialisation in a series of study areas depending on their field of interest.
Students complete law-related professional experience placements at organisations in Australia or overseas and are introduced to the practical aspects of legal practice through moot court scenarios and advocacy exercises.
The combination of degrees equips students with the skills to work in commercial and general legal practice, in government, and in arts- and humanities-based organisations.
Selected major: Social Media
Gain a comprehensive understanding of social media platforms within social, cultural and industry contexts. Learn how to analyse new and emerging media technologies and drive their use and innovation across industry.
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Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 4 March 2019
- Semester 2 - 5 August 2019
VTAC codes
- 3400210431 (CSP)
- 3400210433 (IFP)
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.
As a Swinburne law student you can choose to take part in a dual award program with Leo Cussen Centre for Law. This makes it possible to study your LLB at Swinburne while also completing Practical Legal Training (the Swinburne program) at Leo Cussen. Please note that this dual award is not available to those on international student visas.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Arts [available 2018 only] requires students to complete units of study to the value of 500 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Australian Law & Statutory Interpretation | LAW10010 | 12.5 |
| Contract Law * | LAW10011 | 12.5 |
| Civil Procedure & Alternative Dispute Resolution | LAW10012 | 12.5 |
| Commercial Law | LAW10013 | 12.5 |
| Torts * | LAW10014 | 12.5 |
| Criminal Law & Procedure * | LAW10015 | 12.5 |
| Misleading Conduct, Economic Torts & Product Liability | LAW20008 | 12.5 |
| Evidence | LAW20009 | 12.5 |
| Administrative Law | LAW20010 | 12.5 |
| Trade Marks & Related Rights * | LAW20011 | 12.5 |
| Federal & State Constitutional Law * | LAW20012 | 12.5 |
| Property Law * | LAW20013 | 12.5 |
| Land Law | LAW20014 | 12.5 |
| Copyright * | LAW30007 | 12.5 |
| Taxation Law | LAW30008 | 12.5 |
| Patents & Designs * | LAW30011 | 12.5 |
| Equity & Trusts * | LAW30012 | 12.5 |
| Company Law * | LAW30013 | 12.5 |
| Legal Practice & Professional Conduct * | LAW30015 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Challenges: Dystopian Present-Utopian Futures | ART10002 | 12.5 |
| Grand Challenges: Skills and Strategies for Social Change | ART20001 | 12.5 |
| Grand Challenges: Making a Difference * | ART30001 | 25 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Selected major: Social Media
Gain a comprehensive understanding of social media platforms within social, cultural and industry contexts. Learn how to analyse new and emerging media technologies and drive their use and innovation across industry.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation Cultures: Perspectives on Science and Technology | MDA10006 | 12.5 |
| Networked Selves | MDA20003 | 12.5 |
| Digital Communities | MDA20009 | 12.5 |
| The Media in Australia | MDA20010 | 12.5 |
| Sports/Advertising/Media * | MDA20011 | 12.5 |
| Media and Communications Project B * | MDA30007 | 12.5 |
| Researching Social Media Publics * | MDA30012 | 12.5 |
| Media Analytics and Visualisation * | MDA30017 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Placement
3 units (0 credit points)
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Experience in Law 1 | LAW10016 | 0 |
| Professional Experience in Law 2 | LAW20018 | 0 |
| Professional Experience in Law (Law Review) | LAW20025 | 0 |
| Professional Experience in Law 3 | LAW30016 | 0 |
| Professional Experience in Law (Innocence and Law Reform) | LAW30023 | 0 |
+
Other studies
9 units (112.5 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 112.5 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Laws, students will be able to:
- describe and demonstrate the application of the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system and of the principles and doctrines that underpin them
- describe and demonstrate the application of ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of the law and a commitment to the pursuit of justice
- analyse and evaluate the interdisciplinary contexts in which legal issues arise and the disciplines and policy considerations that influence the content and operation of the law
- describe and compare the international legal order and the law and legal systems of Australia’s major trading partners
- critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses
- undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence
- demonstrate effective and persuasive communication capabilities with legal and non-legal audiences
- communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development.
Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Arts, students will be able to:
- 1systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in the humanities and/ or social sciences
- formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of disciplinary expertise
- critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences
- define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
- apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
- interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
- coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts.
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides opportunities to gain invaluable skills and confidence in knowing that you have what it takes to land a job in your field by graduation. You can also earn credit towards your degree. Choose from six- or 12-month professional placements, professional internships, industry-linked projects, industry study tours and accreditation placements. Find out more.
Choose a professional placement option:
12 months Six monthsDouble degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Humanities
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Humanities | SOC20019 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Law
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Professional Placement A – Law | LAW20021 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B – Law | LAW20022 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
Double degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Humanities
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Law
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A – Law | LAW20021 | 25 |
Career opportunities
Graduates will have the theoretical and practical knowledge required to operate effectively in diverse settings such as law firms and barristers’ chambers, not-for-profit organisations, government, small businesses and corporate organisations. In particular, the specialisation in intellectual property law equips graduates for careers in the new knowledge economy, giving them the skills to work in media and entertainment, design, branding and advertising, and in internet companies and firms advising information-dependent industries.
Depending on their chosen major, graduates may find employment as journalists, interpreters, sociologists, publishers, writers and in the games industry, particularly in areas focusing on interactive content creation, game design, interface design and rapid prototyping.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic requirements for admission to practice as a lawyer in the Victorian and Australian Federal legal systems as set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. Please be advised that non-academic requirements must also be satisfied for admission to practice and that no law degree allows graduates to practise straight away.
Depending on the choice of Arts major, graduates may be eligible to apply for membership of the following professional societies:
- Students enrolled in the Journalism Major may be eligible for student membership of the Melbourne Press Club. Graduates who complete the Journalism Major will be eligible to apply for membership of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA)
- Swinburne’s Philosophy program is recognised by the Australasian Association of Philosophy
Fees
- Fees for 2020.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
| 2020 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$44,595 | $8,919 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.