Program Overview

Introduction to LAWS2300 Business Organisations

The unit LAWS2300, Business Organisations, is a comprehensive introduction to the field of corporate law and corporations. It examines the corporation in its legal, historical, and cultural context, considering the various actors involved. Particular attention is given to the social and legal role of directors and shareholders.

General Information

• Unit Convenor and Teaching Staff: David Birchall and Hannah Harris
• Credit Points: 10
• Prerequisites: 60cp including LAWS104 or LAWS1200
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged Status: None
• Unit Description: This unit introduces students to corporate law, examining the corporation in its legal, historical, and cultural context. It covers incorporation, corporate personality and constitution, corporate decision-making and financing, directors' duties, shareholder rights and remedies, and the winding up of companies.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Analyse and articulate the substantive corporate law rules in legislation and case law.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of corporate legislation and its impact on corporate stakeholders.
• Describe the influence of history and social context on the development of corporations law, including directors' duties and shareholders' rights.
• Apply relevant corporate and commercial law principles to resolve legal problems.
• Communicate, interact, and collaborate professionally and effectively in verbal and non-verbal contexts across diverse settings.
• Work independently, meet deadlines, take initiative, and be adaptable to diverse and changing environments.

General Assessment Information

All written assessments must be submitted electronically through the provided link in iLearn. This unit utilises Turnitin plagiarism detection software. Students should ensure they submit the correct file for an assessment, as re-submissions will not be accepted after the due date and time.

Late Submission Policy

A maximum penalty of five percentage points of the total possible marks will be applied per day to late submissions, for up to a maximum of seven calendar days. Tasks not submitted within the maximum number of additional late days will receive a mark of zero.

Special Consideration

Students must submit applications for Special Consideration electronically via the Service Connect portal, along with supporting documentation. Before submitting their applications, students should refer to the Special Consideration Policy.

Assessment Tasks

• Professional Skills: 20%, No hurdle, Ongoing
• Exam: 40%, No hurdle, During Exam Period (TBA)
• Practice-Based Task: 40%, No hurdle, 05/05/2025

Professional Skills

This assessment involves classroom activities such as mooting, presentations, structured discussion, and problem-solving. Students will develop skills in oral advocacy, legal analysis, critical reasoning, teamwork, and team leadership.

Exam

An invigilated exam held in the formal examination period, covering any or all topics and materials covered in the unit.

Practice-Based Task

An assessment on professional skills and knowledge relevant to the unit, which could be a legal or policy brief, a report, an essay, a law reform proposal, legal pleadings, or other related professional tasks.

Delivery and Resources

• Lectures: 1 hour of live lectures and 1 hour of recorded content weekly over 12 weeks.
• Tutorials: 1 hour tutorial weekly over 12 weeks.
• Textbook: Stephen Bottomley, Kath Hall, Peta Spender, and Beth Nosworthy, Contemporary Australian Corporate Law (2nd Edition), 2020.
• Additional Readings: Accessible through iLearn.
• Computer and Internet Requirements: Students require access to a computer, internet with decent speed, and a secure/reliable server.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the Academic Appeals Policy, Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Progression Policy, Assessment Policy, Fitness to Practice Procedure, Assessment Procedure, Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public, and Special Consideration Policy.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct.

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, academic integrity is at the core of learning, teaching, and research. The university offers resources and services to help students reach their potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development, and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students, including academic support, library services, IT support, accessibility and disability support, mental health support, safety support, and social support.

Changes from Previous Offering

This unit now includes an invigilated exam that will be run centrally by the university and held in the University Exam Period.