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Unit of study_
LAWS5227: Property Theory
2025 unit information
As lawyers we are frequently required to think deeply about the constituent rules of property law. However we seldom pause to consider the more fundamental question: why do we have a system of property law at all? This subject encourages students to think deeply about this fundamental question by critically engaging with some of the most influential accounts of property in the common law and western traditions. Topics covered include natural law and instrumental justifications for property, the analytical nature of private property rights, limitations on the creation of those rights and prominent critiques of the institution of property. Although students must have completed Introduction to Property and Commercial Law and Real Property, this subject is theoretical and contains little to no doctrinal analysis. Whilst the subject matter will appeal to students interested in philosophical disputation, no background in philosophy is expected or required.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Law School
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Law |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Analyse and articulate the arguments for and against systems of private property, including their constituent rules.
- LO2. Critically evaluate arguments concerning systems of private property in light of relevant scholarship.
- LO3. Employ research skills to synthesise relevant scholarship and evaluate arguments within property theory.
- LO4. Demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate about theories of property to both legal and philosophical audiences.
Unit availability
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The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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There are no availabilities for previous years.
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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