Unit Catalogue

Back to Unit Search

LWA133 - Legal Reasoning

2026

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Philosophy

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

In this unit students will learn the basic skills of reasoning and argument in their application to legal contexts. Topics covered include evaluating arguments, constructing arguments, reconstructing arguments, formalising arguments, clarifying meaning and identifying fallacies.
Students at the end of the unit should be able to (1) identify the structures of real-life legal arguments in order to decide if they are well or poorly constructed, and (2) argue relevant matters logically. This unit develops writing and thinking skills that are applicable to all areas of academic study and which are relevant to working and everyday life, with a specific focus on legal reasoning. Careful application in this unit will deepen students capacities to evaluate everyday practical scenarios and legal argumentation as well as helping them think outside the box.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Identify important themes and foundational concepts in logic and legal reasoning.
2.	Analyse legal issues raised by important themes in law.
3.	Analyse legal concepts and legal arguments using logic and legal reasoning techniques.
4.	Examine and apply persuasive and effective written arguments for legal and non-legal audiences.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Argument outline (300 words)	10%	1,2,3,4
2.	Oral presentation to the class of an argument (5-10 mins, 500 words), and a written evaluation of another student's oral argument (500 words), total 1000 words.	40%	1,2,3,4
3.	Final essay (1,500 words) - a personalised response, with bibliographical references, to the peer evaluation received in Assessment 2 (Argument presentation and evaluation)	50%	1,2,3,4

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2026	Semester 1	Internal	Danala - Education and Community Precinct	OLR	View
2026	Semester 1	External	External Studies	OLR	View

* Timetable will be displayed in new tab or window depending on your browser's configuration; ensure Pop-ups are allowed for this site to view the timetable.

OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2025 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)
2025 Incidental Fees (PDF)