Course Learning Outcomes and Minimum Standards
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) AQF Level 8
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
AQF Honours Descriptor1
1. Disciplinespecific
knowledge and
capabilities:
appropriate to
the level of study
related to a
discipline or
profession.
Knowledge: coherent and advanced knowledge
of the underlying principles and concepts in one
or more disciplines and knowledge of research
principles and methods.
AQF Level 8 (Honours) Criteria*
Discipline / Professional Standards **
Graduates of an Honours Degree will have:
Knowledge: advanced theoretical
and technical knowledge in one or
more disciplines or areas of practice.
Application of knowledge and skills:
will apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate autonomy, well cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a developed adaptability and
broad understanding of a body of knowledge responsibility as a practitioner or
and theoretical concepts with advanced
learner.
understanding in some areas
 technical skills to design and use research in a
project
Skills:
TLO1: Demonstrate an understanding
of a coherent body of knowledge that
includes:
Integrate theoretical knowledge and
understanding of a coherent body of
knowledge, including:
(b) the broader contexts within which
legal issues arise, and of ethical
practice in lawyers’ roles.
(b) the broader contexts within which
legal issues arise, and
Skills:
 communication skills to present a clear and
coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas
to a variety of audiences.
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge and
skills:
 with initiative and judgement in professional
practice and/or scholarship
 to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse
contexts
Skills: advanced cognitive, technical
and communication skills to select
and apply methods and technologies
to:
 analyse, generate and transmit
solutions to complex problems
 transmit knowledge, skills and
ideas to others.
TLO5: Well developed cognitive,
technical and communications skills
that focus on:
Justify and communicate well
developed communication skills,
including:
Minimum Standards
(relating to CLOs)
Demonstrate a core knowledge of
the fundamental theories, concepts,
and practice of the discipline with
specialised depth of knowledge in
(a) the fundamental areas of legal
(a) the fundamental areas of legal
knowledge, the Australian legal system, knowledge, the Australian legal system, one or more disciplines or areas of
and underlying principles and concepts, and underlying principles and concepts, practice.
including international and
including international and
comparative contexts,
comparative contexts,
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge and
skills:
 with initiative and judgement in professional
practice and/or scholarship
 to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse
contexts
 to plan and execute project work and/or a
piece of research and scholarship with some
independence
2. Communication:
using oral,
written and
interpersonal
communication
to inform,
motivate and
effect change.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
(e.g. professional association)
(a) communicate in ways that are
effective, appropriate and persuasive
for legal and non-legal audiences, and
(b) collaborate effectively.
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(c) the principles and values of justice
and of ethical practice in lawyers’ roles.
Select and use a range of
appropriate forms and channels of
communication (oral and written) to
present a clear, coherent, and
a) communicate orally, in writing, and
by any interpersonal means effectively, independent exposition of
knowledge and ideas at an advanced
appropriately, and persuasively for
level.
both legal and non-legal audiences, and
b) collaborate effectively, using
technologies where the demonstration
of autonomy, well developed
judgement and responsibility takes
place.
The text in the 2nd and 3rd columns is taken directly from the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Second Edition January 2013 (www.aqf.edu.au). In relation to each of the Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLO), the full text from the AQF is reproduced. However, some concepts from the AQF
specifications may not apply to a particular Graduate Learning Outcome – in these cases, they have placed in parentheses.
B a c h e l o r o f L a w s ( H o n o u rs ) A Q F L e v e l 8
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Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
AQF Honours Descriptor1
3. Digital literacy:
using
technologies to
find, use and
disseminate
information.
Skills:
 cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a
broad understanding of a body of knowledge
and theoretical concepts with advanced
understanding in some areas
 technical skills to design and use research in a
project
 communication skills to present and clear and
coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas
to a variety of audiences
AQF Level 8 (Honours) Criteria*
Discipline / Professional Standards **
Graduates of an Honours Degree will have:
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge and
skills:
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Minimum Standards
(relating to CLOs)
Use technologies to identify, locate,
evaluate information for problem
solving scenarios as well as
communicating legal solutions,
including:
Use a range of digitally-based
technologies in professional practice
or scholarly activity or both to
facilitate the evaluation, research,
and resolution of discipline-based
problems, and to disseminate this
information.
(e.g. professional association)
Skills: advanced cognitive, technical The professional standards make no
and communication skills to select
specific reference to digital literacies.
and apply methods and technologies
to:
 analyse critically, evaluate and
transform information to
complete a range of activities
 analyse, generate and transmit
solutions to complex problems
 transmit knowledge, skills and
ideas to others.
a) identify, research, evaluate and
synthesise relevant factual, legal and
policy issues, effectively using
technologies where appropriate.
b) find, use, and disseminate
information using technologies.
c) the use of digital sources to organize
and present information in authentic
and complex legal situations.
 to adapt (knowledge and) skills in diverse
contexts
 with initiative and judgement in professional
practice and/or scholarship
 to plan and execute project work and/or piece
of research and scholarship with some
independence
4. Critical thinking:
evaluating
information
using critical and
analytical
thinking and
judgment.
Skills:
 cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate,
and synthesise knowledge and identify and
provide solutions to complex problems with
intellectual independence
 cognitive (and technical) skills to demonstrate
a broad understanding of a body of
knowledge and theoretical concepts with
advanced understanding in some areas
 cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking and
judgement and developing a new
understanding
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge and
skills:
Skills: advanced cognitive, technical
and communication skills to select
and apply methods and technologies
to:
 analyse critically, evaluate and
transform information to
complete a range of activities
 analyse, generate and transmit
solutions to complex problems.
TLO3: Well developed cognitive
technical and communication skills to:
(a) identify and articulate legal issues,
(b) apply legal reasoning and research
to generate appropriate responses to
legal issues,
(c) engage in critical analysis and make
a reasoned choice amongst
alternatives, and
Application of knowledge and skills:
(d) think creatively in approaching legal
apply knowledge and skills to
issues and generating appropriate
demonstrate autonomy, wellresponses.
developed judgement, adaptability
and responsibility as a practitioner or
learner.
 with initiative and judgement in professional
practice and/or scholarship
 to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse
contexts
 plan and execute project work and/or a piece
of research and scholarship with some
independence.
B a c h e l o r o f L a w s ( H o n o u rs ) A Q F L e v e l 8
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Exercise critical judgement with the
ability to problem-solve in
unpredictable and sometimes complex
scenarios, including:
(a) identifying and articulating legal
issues,
(b) applying legal reasoning and
research to generate accurate and
relevant responses to legal issues,
(c) engaging in critical analysis and
making a choice amongst alternatives
using reasoning, and
(d) thinking creatively in approaching
legal issues and generating appropriate
responses.
Exercise sound judgement on
routine and complex discipline issues
based on analysis of relevant
information gathered from a variety
of sources.
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
AQF Honours Descriptor1
5. Problem solving:
creating
solutions to
authentic
(real world and
ill-defined)
problems.
Skills:
 cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate,
and synthesise knowledge and identify and
provide solutions to complex problems with
intellectual independence
 cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking and
judgement in developing new understanding
 technical skills to design and use research in a
project.
Skills: advanced cognitive, technical
(and communication) skills to select
and apply methods and technologies
to:
 analyse critically, evaluate and
transform information to
complete a range of activities
 analyse, generated and transmit
solutions to complex problems.
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge and
skills:
 with initiative and judgement in professional
practice and/or scholarship
 to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse
contexts
 to plan and execute project work and/or a
piece of research and scholarship with some
independence.
Application of knowledge and skills:
apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate autonomy, welldeveloped judgement, adaptability
and responsibility as a practitioner
or learner.
6. Selfmanagement:
working and
learning
independently,
and taking
responsibility for
personal actions.
AQF Level 8 (Honours) Criteria*
Discipline / Professional Standards **
Graduates of an Honours Degree will have:
Skills: cognitive skills to review, analyse,
consolidate and synthesise knowledge to
identify and provide solutions to complex
problems with intellectual independence
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge and
skills:
Application of knowledge and skills:
apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate autonomy, welldeveloped judgement, adaptability
and responsibility as a practitioner or
learner.
 with responsibility and accountability for own
TLO4: Demonstrate the intellectual and
practical skills needed to identify,
research, evaluate and synthesise
relevant factual, legal and policy issues.
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge and
skills:
 with responsibility and accountability for own
learning and practice and in collaboration
with others within broad parameters.
Minimum Standards
(relating to CLOs)
Create solutions to a wide range of
legal problems, utilizing analytical and
critical thinking with the ability to
problem-solve, including:
Identify problems and formulate
appropriate solutions related to
authentic situations in the discipline.
i. identifying and articulating legal
issues,
ii. applying legal reasoning and
research to generate accurate and
relevant responses to legal issues,
iii. engaging in critical analysis and
making a choice amongst alternatives
using reasoning, and
iv. thinking creatively in approaching
legal issues and generating appropriate
responses.
TLO6: Apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate how to:
(a) learn and work independently, and
(b) reflect on and assess their own
capabilities and performance, and
make use of feedback as appropriate,
to support personal and professional
development.
learning and practice and in collaboration
with others within broad parameters
 to plan and execute project work and/or a
piece of research and scholarship with some
independence.
7. Teamwork:
working and
learning with
others from
different
disciplines and
backgrounds.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
(e.g. professional association)
Reflect on performance feedback to
demonstrate long term development
and to facilitate self improvement,
including:
(a) lifelong learning and working
independently,
(b) reflecting on and assessing
capabilities and performance, and
making use of feedback as appropriate,
to support personal and professional
development.
Understanding the importance of
high quality work within stipulated
deadlines, and putting in place
mechanisms to overcome obstacles
that may impede these objectives.
(c) taking responsibility for personal
actions.
The AQF is silent on this.
TLO5: Graduates of the Bachelor of
Laws will be able to:
(a) communicate in ways that are
effective, appropriate and persuasive
for legal and non-legal audiences, and
(b) collaborate effectively.
Collaborate and communicate in
teams, including:
(a) communicate in ways that are
effective, appropriate and persuasive
for legal and non-legal audiences; and
(b) collaborate effectively with others
from different disciplines and
backgrounds.
B a c h e l o r o f L a w s ( H o n o u rs ) A Q F L e v e l 8
Recognise own strengths and
weaknesses and, through evidence
of self-reflection and critique of own
performance, identify and act on
personal and professional
development needs.
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Constructively engage as a team
player with peers from a range of
disciplines and backgrounds in
collaborative activities in familiar
and unfamiliar situations.
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
AQF Honours Descriptor1
8. Global
citizenship:
engaging
ethically and
productively in
the professional
context and with
diverse
communities and
cultures in a
global context
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge and
skills:
AQF Level 8 (Honours) Criteria*
Discipline / Professional Standards **
Graduates of an Honours Degree will have:
Application of knowledge and skills:
apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate autonomy, welldeveloped judgement, adaptability
 with responsibility and accountability for own
and responsibility as a practitioner or
learning and practice and in collaboration
learner.
with others within broad parameters.
(Note: the AQF descriptor does not relate
specifically and directly to global citizenship,
however the above mentioned may be indirectly
related to engagement within a professional
context and/or within diverse communities and
cultures by way of its link to responsibility and
accountability ‘in collaboration with others’).
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Minimum Standards
(relating to CLOs)
To be aware of and apply legal
knowledge in different environments
and global contexts, including:
Recognise the value that different
perspectives can bring to situations;
seek to better understand a range of
social, ethical and global
perspectives and their impact in a
discipline specific environment; and,
using this knowledge, act
appropriately in ethically responsible
ways.
(e.g. professional association)
TLO2: Demonstrate the application of
knowledge and skills to:
(a) an understanding of approaches to
ethical decision-making,
(a) an understanding of approaches to
ethical decision-making,
(b) an ability to recognise and reflect
upon, and a developing ability to
(b) an ability to recognise and reflect
(Note: the AQF criteria for Level 8 do respond to, ethical issues likely to arise upon with a developing ability to
not relate specifically and directly to in professional contexts,
respond to ethical issues likely to arise
global citizenship, however the above
in complex professional contexts,
(c)
an
ability
to
recognise
and
reflect
mentioned criteria may be indirectly
(c) an ability to recognise and reflect
related to ethical engagement via the upon the professional responsibilities
of lawyers in promoting justice and in
upon the professional responsibilities
reference to ‘responsibility’.)
service to the community, and
of lawyers in promoting justice and in
service to the community,
(d) a developing ability to exercise
professional judgement
(d) an ability to exercise professional
judgement,
(e) an ability to recognise and reflect
upon cultural and community diversity.
B a c h e l o r o f L a w s ( H o n o u rs ) A Q F L e v e l 8
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