The Bachelor of Laws focuses on commercial law with emphasis on intellectual property law. As the only degree in Victoria with this specialisation, students learn about trade marks, patents and designs, copyright, the prohibition of misleading or deceptive conduct and competition law. Students learn how to protect the rights of those who innovate or create. Students complete law-related professional experience placements at organisations in Australia or overseas. Students are also introduced to the practical aspects of legal practice through moot court scenarios and advocacy exercises. The degree equips students with the skills to work in commercial and general legal practice and in a range of industries, including media and entertainment, design, branding and advertising. Course structure Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated. Course learning outcomes The Bachelor of Laws provides an accredited qualification in law and educates students to meet the challenges of a profession and society that are increasingly diverse, complex and technologically sophisticated. It provides a rigorous and intellectually challenging legal education that develops and enhances legal knowledge and a broad range of skills necessary for legal practice; promoting respect for the Rule of Law and adherence to ethical conduct and professional responsibility. Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Laws, students will be able to: describe and demonstrate the application of the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system and of the principles and doctrines that underpin them describe and demonstrate the application of ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of the law and a commitment to the pursuit of justice analyse and evaluate the interdisciplinary contexts in which legal issues arise and the disciplines and policy considerations that influence the content and operation of the law describe and compare the international legal order and the law and legal systems of Australia’s major trading partners critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence demonstrate effective and persuasive communication capabilities with legal and non-legal audiences communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development. Career opportunities Graduates will have the theoretical and practical knowledge required to operate effectively in diverse settings such as law firms and barristers’ chambers, not-for-profit organisations, government, small businesses and corporate organisations. In particular, the specialisation in intellectual property law equips graduates for careers in the new knowledge economy, giving them the skills to work in media and entertainment, design, branding and advertising, and in internet companies and firms advising information-dependent industries.