Some court cases don't just affect the individuals involved in them. They have a profound effect on the law and can change the country. This course explores six extraordinary Australian cases that shaped our society and still affect the way we live today. We begin with the very first civil case heard in Sydney in 1788, brought by two convicts, and move through to more recent times. Each case, whether criminal, civil or (in some cases) political, tells a powerful story about the people involved, the attitudes of their time and the law itself. Along the way we will tackle questions that matter to all of us: Does everyone have the same rights under the law? Who owns the land? How much money do we need to live? Can we ban something, or someone, we don't like? You'll learn how courts decide cases, uncover the human stories behind each one, and see how the outcomes changed Australian law and society.

You don't need any legal knowledge, just an interest in history, society and a good debate. In a relaxed, respectful setting, everyone's views are valued. Would the result be the same today? Come and help us decide.

DELIVERY MODE

Hybrid (face to face and online simultaneously)

COURSE RESOURCES

• J. Stoljar: The Australian Book of Great Trials
• M. Tedeschi: Murder at Myall Creek
• R. Hamilton: Waltzing Matilda and the Sunshine Harvester Factory
• G. Winterton: The significance of the Communist Party case, https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/MelbULawRw/1992/6.pdf
• B. Keon-Cohen: A Mabo Memoir: From Islan Kustom to Native Title

COURSE OUTLINE

• How have a handful of legal cases (both old and new) changed Australian society.
• By exploring six cases in Australia's history, we consider issues as important as:
• Does everyone have the same rights under the law?
• Who owns the land?
• How much money do you need to live?
• Can we ban something (or someone) we don't like?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify the history of the legal system in Australia
• Understand how legal cases are decided.
• Identify the facts of each of the cases and the circumstances in which they occurred.
• Identify the changes (both legal and social) that the cases brought with them.
• Consider whether there would be a different result if it happened today.