BLAW10002 Free Speech and Media Law
University of Melbourne · Level 1 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- Final exam 50%
- About 2.5 class hours a week
Is BLAW10002 hard?
BLAW10002: Harder. Makes it easier: Only 2.5 class hours a week, First-year subject. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it’s hard (10 reviews), Reviewers say it takes a lot of time.
What you learn
How law protects and limits free speech, from newspapers and TV to social media, influencers and online platforms.
After it you can
- Spot where media and the law meet
- Explain how speech is both protected and restricted in different legal settings
- Analyse how the law reacts to new technology and changing social norms
What you need first
None
How it’s assessed
Participation 10%, Quizzes 40%, Final exam 50%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2015–2019)
- Almost every reviewer warns about a very heavy weekly reading load, with dense legal texts that are hard going for students with no law background.
- Content and lectures were mostly liked, but many found tutorials vague or unhelpful and expectations for the assessment unclear; the newest reviews also mention a high fail rate.
- Reviewers disagree on assessment: one found the case study and open-book exam fair, others said the assessment didn't match the exam or the marks took weeks to come back.
- Several say it suits students thinking about a law degree later, but is a tough pick as a casual breadth subject.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate BLAW10002
Quick answers
- When is BLAW10002 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking BLAW10002?
- No prerequisites.
- Does BLAW10002 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 50% of the mark. Assessment: Participation 10%, Quizzes 40%, Final exam 50%.
- Is BLAW10002 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Almost every reviewer warns about a very heavy weekly reading load, with dense legal texts that are hard going for students with no law background.
- What do students say about BLAW10002?
- Almost every reviewer warns about a very heavy weekly reading load, with dense legal texts that are hard going for students with no law background. Content and lectures were mostly liked, but many found tutorials vague or unhelpful and expectations for the assessment unclear; the newest reviews also mention a high fail rate. Reviewers disagree on assessment: one found the case study and open-book exam fair, others said the assessment didn't match the exam or the marks took weeks to come back.
- How many class hours a week does BLAW10002 have?
- 2.5 h a week in class
- Can I take BLAW10002 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Science.
- Can I rate BLAW10002?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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