Melbourne Law School The Melbourne Law Masters

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Subjects 2008


Art and Law 730889

Objectives

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Understand Australian and comparative approaches to major legal issues in the arts
  • Have a knowledge of Australian legal restrictions on artistic and critical expression
  • Have been introduced to Australian legislation related to the arts and cultural heritage
  • Understand significant international developments in protecting art and cultural heritage.
Syllabus

This subject concentrates on legal issues connected with the visual arts, and also examines some legal aspects of the performing arts, literature and cultural heritage.

Particular emphasis is placed on:

  • Legal approaches to art, artists and cultural heritage
  • Law and the visual arts
  • The arts and copyright: Australian and comparative approaches to issues including moral rights, technological change, protection of indigenous art and authorship in contemporary art practice
  • Artistic and critical freedom of expression: Obscenity and defamation
  • Cultural heritage protection: Domestic law and international conventions.