Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics - Bachelor of Laws | 2018

Overview

Combining the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (BPPE) with the Bachelor of Laws allows students to examine issues of politics, philosophy and economics from a legal perspective. This degree provides high level training and skills necessary for students interested in pursuing successful careers in the public service, politics or as legal practitioners.

A cross-disciplinary degree, the BPPE affords students an appreciation of the political, ethical and economic perspectives needed to make a contribution to solving a range of problems confronting contemporary society. In particular, students will learn to interpret and apply complex economic ideas and data, understand political organisations and policy making processes, and develop a broader philosophical lens for understanding systems of government, popular movements and alternative forms of political organisation and behaviour. 

Students will develop a broad knowledge base across all three discipline areas by studying core and elective subjects. They will deepen their knowledge in at least one of these areas through a major field of study. A BPPE capstone subject allows students to bring the key concepts from all three disciplines together into coherent whole through in-depth exploration of contemporary political and social scenarios.

Entry Requirements & Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

A number of the course learning outcomes in each of these degrees complement and consolidate outcomes in the partner degree. Applied across two discipline areas, the outcomes are achieved at a broader and more comprehensive level. 

Please refer to the Undergraduate Course Handbook page of each individual degree for a comprehensive list of degree course learning outcomes. Further information about the major learning outcomes for the BPPE is available under the relevant BPPE major page in the Undergraduate Course Handbook. 

Course Structure

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics - Bachelor of Laws,a candidate must successfully complete at least 264 credit points, comprised of:

1. All compulsory Law subjects as set out in the Course Program below;
2. Elective subjects to the value of 30 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws Elective Law Schedule – see Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry);
3. The core requirements of the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (90 credit points);
4. Sufficient subjects to complete at least one of the three majors in the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (24 Credit Points);
5. One additional subject from electives offered within the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts, to bring the total number of credit points completed up to 264.

Timetables

Click on subject codes in the above course structure for information on sessions of offer for each subject.

To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Majors

Majors are not available in the Bachelor of Laws degree. 

As part of the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, students will choose one major as outlined on the Course Handbook Page.

Compulsory Work Placement / Online Components

This course contains a total of 140 hours over 4 weeks of compulsory work-based placements. This course may also contain compulsory components to be completed online.

Undertaking a work integrated learning (WIL) experience during your university education is now a significant contributor to being competitive in securing employment in your field of choice when you graduate from UOW.

Law students will complete a Legal Internship subject (LLB3397). This subject is the vehicle for a practical placement designed to expose students to the application of the law in practice; enable students to understand the importance of developing the skills of legal research; communication, drafting, practice management and problem solving; and enable students to observe and reflect upon the values, ethical standards and conduct of the legal profession in practice.

Students in the Politics Major can apply to the Discipline Leader to complete an Internship under the subjects POL 345, POL 346, or POL 347.

POL 345, Politics Internship, enables students to undertake internships in relevant political offices in the Illawarra or Sydney attached to the office of an elected politician, or working within a part of government bureaucracy. Students will undertake duties as directed by their supervisor in that institution.

POL 346, Australian National Internship Program (ANIP), is highly competitive and by application to the ANU. If selected students will undertake two months or more full-time work in as a parliamentary intern based in the offices of Members of Parliament and Senators and engaging with a range of activities that shape national policy-making. Placements in the Public Service or other agencies are also possible. Enrolment in POL346 is conditional on being selected for the ANIP.

POL 347, Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program (UCWIP), provides interns with a unique perspective of the US political system and institutions over a two-month placement. In-office experiences will vary widely according to the needs of the congressional hosts but will typically include administrative functions, constituent liaison and legislative research and support. Interns are encouraged to attend hearings, briefings and press conferences both on and off Capitol Hill in addition to the UCWIP-organised briefings at the US State Department and the Australian Embassy.
For students in other majors, The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting.

Students are also encouraged to consider CRLP200 (6cp). CRLP200 includes a quality assured workplace internship or industry project to give you that competitive edge by developing your professional skills through authentic learning in a real world context. You will focus on your career goals and receive career direction guidance, strengthen your resume and gain skills to navigate the rapidly changing world of work, develop your communication skills and begin to build a professional network.

Honours

Bachelor of Laws

High achieving students, enrolled in this double degree, who are interested in undertaking Honours in Law, may consult with the relevant Honours Coordinator in Law, Humanities, and the Arts regarding the possibility of transferring into an Honours version of the degree.

A student who successfully transfers into an Honours program but does not meet the minimum performance standards required for the award of Honours will be permitted to transfer back to the double degree in which they were enrolled immediately prior to the transfer into the Honours course, and will be awarded credit for the number of credit points passed in the Honours degree.

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics 

Students seeking to pursue an Honours degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics should refer to the information on the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (Honours) Course Handbook Page. 

Law Professional Recognition/ Accreditation

The UOW Bachelor of Laws (single LLB or in combination with another degree) is accredited by the Legal Procession Admission Board (LPAB) as satisfying the academic requirements necessary for admission to practice as a lawyer. On completion of the Bachelor of Laws, a student who wishes to practise as a barrister or solicitor must also undertake some form of professional practical training, the requirements for which vary between each state and territory of Australia.

In New South Wales, a student who intends to qualify for admission to practise as a legal practitioner is required to undertake a practical legal training (PLT) course accredited by the LPAB, followed by or incorporating a period of practical experience in a law-related setting. Practical experience gained by students in LLB3397 Legal Internship may be counted towards this practical experience requirement (eg ANU and College of Law will recognise days completed as part of LLB3397). Graduates should check with their PLT provider. A list of LPAB accredited PLT courses can be found on the LPAB website.

Students who intend to practise as lawyers after admission should obtain further information about restricted practice and the mandatory continuing legal education requirements from the Law Society of New South Wales. Students who intend to practise as barristers after admission will be required to read with a senior barrister for a period of time and to undertake the Bar Readers' Course before being qualified to take briefs on their own account. Further information is available from the New South Wales Bar Association.

Other Information

Further information is available via email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au