| Overview and Aims of the Program |
This major will enable students to acquire understanding of corporate and commercial law. They will also gain knowledge and skills for research and professional practice in areas such as sustainable corporate governance and financing, competition law, commercial law, the relationship between trade and environment law, technology and e-commerce law, international trade and finance, intellectual property law, and taxation law. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
In addition to the PLOs of the home degree for which this major qualifies, by the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1. explain principles and their application to the specialised area of corporate commercial law (K)
2. critique the special ethical, policy and professional challenges raised by practice in the area of corporate and commercial law (E)
3. apply advanced research and problem solving skills to address contemporary challenges in the area of corporate and commercial law (T,P). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
The Corporate and Commercial Law major has been structured to allow you to gain an understanding of corporate activity, and then building on this foundation, to develop specialist knowledge of corporate and commercial law.
Through attending lectures – which are also available on line to refresh understanding, and to allow you to time shift attendance – and guided readings you will acquire subject knowledge. You will then be encouraged to test and critique your understanding through discussion and presentations in tutorials and seminars. You will work both individually and in small groups, and be encouraged to engage, question and debate the subject content, and consider the broader policy framework in which this specialist knowledge is located.
You will be assisted to develop a range of skills so that you can use and apply your subject knowledge in a professional context. Skill building exercises focus on the practical and range from acquisition of skills in reading and interpreting financial documentation and accounts to understanding, interpreting and using case law and legislation to solve legal problems. These skill building exercises are supported and enhanced by the assessment activities in each subject. There is a particular focus on developing the necessary professional skills of reading and using case law and legislation. This assists both an understanding of the current law, and your lifelong learning as you will have the skills to read and understand the law as it changes and develops.
Through discussion in lectures, reading cases, individual and small group activities, tutorial discussion and assessments you will acquire the skill of applying your specialist knowledge to answer practical legal problems. The practical focus of your learning is further developed through your participation in a PACE unit, such as LAW551 which provides an opportunity for students to engage with the legal profession and community through participation in a variety of workplace experiences, including law firms, legal centres and community-based legal organisations. |
| Assessment |
A variety of assessment tasks are used throughout the program which will test your understanding and assist you to deepen your knowledge and develop your skills. Some types of assessment are constant throughout the program – tutorial attendance and participation; research essays and assignments and problem solving whereas other types of assessment are designed to reflect the particular knowledge and skills being taught in a particular subject – for example the regular weekly exercises in LAW553 Taxation.
Assessment is designed to do more than simply ‘test’ you and provide a mark. It also plays an important role in helping you understand how your skills are developing, and the feedback received on each assessment task will assist you to calibrate your progress and develop your understanding of the subject material and how to use it in a range of practical applications. Feedback may be received in written form, or in class discussion, or discussion with your peers.
You should expect to complete a minimum of three assessment tasks in each unit, and that these will test a variety of skills and competencies. A typical example of an assessment regime in this program would be tutorial participation; a research task and an exam based on problem solving questions. However the assessment regime will be different in every subject throughout the program.
Just as your knowledge develops throughout the program – with the work of later years building on the foundations laid in earlier years, so the assessment regime is scaffolded to assist you in building competencies and skills. You will be introduced to research and problem solving tasks in earlier years, and the assessment tasks will become more complex in later years. Particular skills – working with primary sources such as cases, legislation and financial documentation – will be developed and assessed in targeted assessments.
Assessment will require you to test and express your ideas in both oral and written form, and you will be working alone, as well as developing your ability to work with others in group projects.
Students are encouraged to consult the unit guide for each subject at the start of the semester, and throughout the course. The unit guide is more than an outline of the subject – it is a resource for students providing details of assessment tasks and criteria for assessment. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Graduates will be able to apply their expertise acquired from this major in a range of professional settings across the corporate and commercial sector, as well as in professional practice relating to private industry, government regulators and business. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
