Course Title: The Law of Economics and Competition Policy

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: The Law of Economics and Competition Policy

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: Dr Aaron Lane

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5309

Course Coordinator Email: aaron.lane@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Melbourne

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

Competition and consumer law has widespread application to economic transactions and disputes and must be considered by businesses in the course of planning and implementing commercial transactions.

This course introduces the Competition and Consumer Law Act 2010 (C’th) (the CCA) and application laws of the States and Territories. The CCA represents the adoption of a national scheme for the regulation of restrictive trade practices and consumer law. The national scheme effectively commenced in January 2011.

It covers various topics related to fair trading and competition, including exclusive contracts, cartels, misuse of market power, exclusive dealings, resale price maintenance and mergers. It also deals with misleading conduct and representations and provides for new provisions dealing with unfair contract terms and contractual guarantees.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

.


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


CLO1: Apply legal rules under the Competition and Consumer Law Act (CCA) / Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and the role, powers and functions of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) as well as the important provisions of the CCA and various legal remedies available for breaches of the legislation.


CLO2: Critically evaluate the law relating to the CCA and ACL and the ACCC. 


CLO3: Analyse and research complex problems relating to CCA and make reasoned and appropriate choices amongst alternatives.

 

CLO4: Demonstrate cognitive and creative skills in approaching legal issues relating to CCA and generate appropriate responses.


CLO5: Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, legal methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions and identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues relating to CCA, ACL and the ACCC.


Overview of Learning Activities

In this course you will be encouraged to be an active learner. Your learning will be supported through various learning activities. These may include quizzes; assignments; prescribed readings; sourcing, researching and analysing specific information; solving problems; conducting presentations; producing written work and collaborating with peers on set tasks or projects.


Overview of Learning Resources

Various learning resources are available online through MyRMIT Studies/Canvas. The lecture notes and workshop notes are posted on Canvas.

RMIT Library provides extensive resources, services and study spaces. All RMIT students have access to scholarly resources including course related material, books, e-books, journals and databases.

Computers and printers are available at every Library. You can access the Internet and Library e-resources. You can also access the RMIT University wireless network in the Library.   

Contact: Ask the Library for assistance and information on Library resources and services: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library. Study support is available for assistance with assignment preparation, academic writing, information literacy, referencing, maths and study skills.  Additional resources and/or sources to assist your learning will be identified by your course coordinator and will be made available to you as required during the teaching period. 


Overview of Assessment

The assessment tasks, their weighting and the course learning outcomes to which they are aligned are as follows:

Assessment Task 1:20%
Linked CLOs: 1,2,3,4 

Assessment Task 2: 30%
Linked CLOs: 1,2,3,4 

Assessment Task 3: 50% 
Linked CLOs: 1,2,3,4,5