Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

View all online units

Unit Overview

Description

This unit provides a detailed examination of the application of the main food laws and standards to include food safety and food hygiene; interpretation and application of food legislation and evidence gathering and legal procedure as they relate to contraventions of food law. The objective of the unit is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of legislation pertaining to general food safety and food hygiene; specific products; imported foods; genetically modified/biotechnology/nanotechnology foods; and common food standards. The unit also aims to examine the sources of and influences on the development of food legislation in Australia and the roles played by organisations such as Codex Alimentarius, World Health Organisation (WHO), World Trade Organisation (WTO), The European Commission, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and consumer protection authorities, United States departments and consumer associations.

Credit
6 points
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) gain and demonstrate their knowledge of issues in relation to modern food legislation and enforcement systems that apply to food products on sale in Australia and internationally; (2) gain and demonstrate their knowledge of issues in relation to the regulation of the agrifood industry and the roles that they play in food legislation; (3) explain the role of food law enforcement agencies; (4) understand the roles played by organisations such as Codex Alimentarius, WHO, WTO, The European Commission, FSANZ, ACCC and consumer protection authorities, United States departments and consumer associations and their roles in shaping Australia's food laws; (5) demonstrate proficiency in analysing and solving hypothetical problems involving food law matters; (6) communicate their comprehension of food law and regulation concepts by being able to follow and construct sound legal arguments; (7) express their ideas coherently and logically in class and in their written work; and (8) describe and critique issues of policy and theory in relation to food law and regulation.

Assessment

This comprises a research paper of 5000 words (75 per cent) and a 2000-word policy brief prepared for a negotiation exercise (25 per cent).



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Winthrop Professor Michael Blakeney
Unit rules
Advisable prior study
a bachelor's degree in a compatible science and engineering
or law course
Approved quota: 30
Contact hours
offered intensively
Note
Only students enrolled in the Master of Food Science (coursework and dissertation) (53540) or the Master of Laws (coursework) (20500) are permitted to enrol in this unit.
Text

There is no prescribed text for this unit. 

Reading

Each lecturer issues a reading list at the commencement of classes. This material is available through Course Materials Online where copyright restrictions permit this. Otherwise texts are available in the library reserve.

Lecture slides

Any PowerPoint slides or handouts used in lectures are posted on the Learning Management System (LMS). The lecturer endeavours to post that material by noon the day before the lecture so that students may refer to it before the lecture. Students should check the LMS regularly for materials and announcements.

This material is intended to supplement, not replace, the required readings and statutory provisions.

  • 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.
  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
  • 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.