Unit Overview
- Description
This unit examines the legal and regulatory frameworks governing privacy and data protection, with a primary focus on Australian law, with comparative and international perspectives introduced where relevant. It examines the role and functions of regulatory bodies and the mechanisms through which privacy obligations are monitored and enforced. It also explores how privacy and data protection law addresses contemporary challenges arising from emerging technologies, data-driven practices, and evolving regulatory expectations in both public and private sector contexts, and considers the development of privacy law and reform responses over time.
This unit provides students with a comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation, common law principles, and the normative factors shaping the development of law and regulation in this field. Throughout the unit, students develop the capacity to analyse and apply legal and regulatory principles to practical problems, critically evaluate existing legal frameworks, and engage with contemporary debates. The unit also develops students' legal research skills in a specialised and rapidly evolving area of law, with an emphasis on the use of primary and secondary legal materials and the communication of clear, structured legal analysis.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode First year of offer Not available in 2026 - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) explain and interpret the development and operation of Australian native title law and policy, including its key elements and contemporary challenges; (2) design and implement a targeted legal research strategy, engaging critically with primary and secondary sources to address a defined topic; (3) analyse and critically evaluate the evolution of Australian native title law in its historical and socio-political context, including its effectiveness in recognising Indigenous interests and supporting Indigenous communities; (4) communicate legal arguments and conclusions clearly and concisely in oral and written forms; and (5) plan and produce a coherent and engaging academic research paper on a selected topic.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) participation; (2) research paper; and (3) exam. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Jing Qian
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- 3 hours per week.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.