Course Title: Evidence and Proof in Litigation

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Evidence and Proof in Litigation

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

JUST2270

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023

JUST2270

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face or Internet

Sem 2 2015

JUST2272

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023

JUST2272

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face or Internet

Sem 2 2015

Course Coordinator: Dr Brianna Chesser

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9238

Course Coordinator Email: brianna.chesser@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37. Floor 04

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study 

You should have satisfactorily completed Introduction to Law HUSO2235 or its equivalent, before you commence this course. Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course. Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. 


Course Description

In this course you will be introduced to some of the issues that arise from applying the rules of evidence in legal proceedings with particular emphasis on how those rules apply in the criminal law jurisdiction. You will study the rules and principles of evidence, and the role and use of evidence in trials. You will also consider the conduct of a ‘fair trial’ and evidentiary law reform.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:  

  1. Apply a body of professional, theoretical and practical knowledge relevant to the socio-legal field and primary dispute resolution processes
  2. Apply critically reflective thought and analytical thinking to problems related to social-legal issues and dispute resolution in local and international contexts
  3. Assist in the identification of needs and the design and planning of research in the socio-legal field 


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  1. Describe the fundamental principles and concepts relating to the law of evidence;
  2. Identify some of the processes of the rules of evidence in criminal and civil jurisdictions;
  3. Explain rules of evidence through the use of case law and statute law;
  4. Break down factual problems into component parts, and apply the rules of evidence through the use of case law and statute law in the practice of problem solving;
  5. Apply legal research techniques in relation to the law of evidence;
  6. Outline theoretical and practical criticisms of the rules of evidence. 


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is delivered through a blend of learning activities, which include interactive workshop activities, role plays, problem solving, guest speakers, presentations, videos, online media and activities and student lead discussions. The course may be delivered online in modules. 


Overview of Learning Resources

There may be a prescribed text for this course. 

You will be given access to a wide range of resources through the Canvas student portal, myRMIT, and RMIT Library resources. You will have the opportunity to contribute collectively to class resources by sharing your own research findings and sources with your peers. 

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment Task 1: Online Activities 20%, CLO1-CLO3 

Assessment Task 2: Short Problems, 30%, CLO3 -CLO5

Assessment Task 3: Essay, 50%, CLO1 – CLO3, and CLO6 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.