Master of Jurisprudence (MJur) & Graduate Diploma in Jurisprudence (GradDipJur)

The Jurisprudence program provides a graduate qualification in legal thought and theory, including the philosophy of law and the sociological theory of law. The subject matter covers law in the context of human thought and the history of ideas as well as law in its social, cultural and political context. The focus is on the general principles of law, its operation and function in society and comparatively across history, cultures and nations. While Australian law is used as a reference point for discussion and comparison, the units are generally not concerned with Australian or English common law but with law as a social and cultural phenomenon together with its function and effects.

The program is particularly suited for interdisciplinary studies of law, catering for students who are interested in the principles and operations of legal systems or those who are interested in interdisciplinary research methodology. Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds, including:

• Law students who want to specialise in legal theory and comparative studies of law
• Students from other disciplines, including teachers of legal studies courses in secondary education, who require a systematic introduction to and a comprehensive understanding of the operation of law
• International students from all disciplines who want to use their studies in Sydney for gaining an overview over the principles and operations of legal systems.

Program Co-ordinator

Associate Professor Alex Ziegert

Admission requirements

An undergraduate degree at an appropriate level.

Program structure

The MJur both requires the completion of 48 credit points of coursework (eight units). This comprises 36 credit points from coursework units of study and 12 credit points from the Jurisprudence research project on an approved topic.

The Graduate Diploma requires completion of 24 credit points (four units). Each unit of study is equivalent to six credit points.

Attendance pattern

Each unit of study entails 26 contact hours. Units are offered on a semester length basis or intensive basis. Semester length units are taught once a week over 13 weeks on either a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evening between 6pm and 8pm. Intensive units of study condense the 26 hours over a period of four to five days. The units are then taught between 9am and 5pm over a block period. For example, an intensive unit may be taught two consecutive days one week and then two consecutive days in a fortnight's time. All classes are held in the Law School or another Sydney CBD location.

Duration

Units of study

Staff

Staff teaching in this program have active research programs and publication records in administrative law and policy. Information on individual staff, their research interests and publications, may be obtained from the Our People section of the website.