LAWS8243 Freedom of Information and Privacy

LAWS8243 is only available under certain award programs.

Offered By	Law School
Academic Career	Graduate Coursework
Course Subject	Laws
Offered in	Winter Session, 2011
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	We are living in the Information Age! Governments and the private sector collect and hold vast amounts of information and we each disclose information about ourselves on an almost daily basis. Do we, as individuals, have any control over information that relates to us? In the interests of openness and accountability, do we have access to government held information? On what grounds can information be shared, released, withheld and stored? The aim of this course is to explore the way in which information is regulated in Australia by the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Contemporary issues regarding information management will be explored against the Australian regulatory framework.
Learning Outcomes	At the conclusion of this course students should be able to: demonstrate a working knowledge of the FOI and Privacy Acts understand the procedure for making a FOI request, the FOI decision making process and to make arguments for and against the application of exemptions understand the privacy framework applicable to everyday transactions that we, as private citizens, make comment on, and critically discuss, the future directions of FOI and privacy law in Australia critically discuss whether Australia’s regulatory module is equipped to respond to contemporary issues in information management, data protection and privacy
Indicative Assessment	There will be two pieces of assessment - one with a FOI theme and the other with a privacy theme. The assessments will have equal weighting. Students must rely on the Approved Assessment which will be posted to the course homepage on the ANU Law website, prior to the commencement of the course.
Workload	26 Contact Hours (Intensive Delivery)
Course Classification(s)	AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs. and SpecialistSpecialist courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide for the acquisition of specialist skills; or 'second degree' and higher level of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs; or knowledge associated with professional accreditation.
Areas of Interest	Law
Requisite Statement	LAWS8568 Fundamentals of Government and Commercial Law (non-lawyers)
Recommended Courses	It would be helpful, but not compulsory, for students to have completed an Administrative Law course prior to commencing this course.
Prescribed Texts	Nil. Students are strongly encouraged to read the FOI and Privacy Acts prior to class and to have an up-to-date consolidation of the Acts accessible during class time.
Preliminary Reading	The preliminary reading required for this course will be available from the course home page at least one week prior to the commencement of the course.
Indicative Reading List	A reading guide will be available on the Course home page.
Programs	Graduate Diploma in Government and Commercial Law, Graduate Diploma in Government and Commercial Law, Master of Legal Studies, Master of Government and Commercial Law, Master of Government and Commercial Law, and Master of Legal Studies
Other Information	Click here for fee and census date information
Academic Contact	Natalie Butler and Graduate Administration

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.