Class Participation

All students are required to attend at least 80% of classes. Attendance is mandatory to complete this unit.
If a student is unable to attend any seminar, he or she should, within a reasonable time, provide a written explanation of the reason(s) for the absence together with any  appropriate  corroborating  evidence,  e.g.  medical  certificate.  The  written explanation  must  be  personally  signed  by  the  student  and  forwarded  to  the convener. In this respect, if:

•    the reason(s) for the absence are, in the opinion of the convener, not justifiable reasons for not attending the relevant seminar(s); or
•    no written explanation is provided to the convener within a reasonable time,
•    the absence will be deemed to be an unauthorised absence for the purpose of the attendance requirement set out above.

As assessment for this unit includes class participation, students should ensure they have  completed the required reading before each class, and be prepared to discuss this material in  class. Students will not be awarded class participation mark just for attending class. The  following non-exhaustive criteria list will be used to assess your class participation:
•    The level of preparedness for each seminar/on campus session gauged by your responses to questions and answers and opinions offered throughout each class.
•    The level of analysis you display in class.
•    Your ability to answer questions put directly to you in class.
•    Your ability to make an educated and legally feasible argument in class.
•    The way in which you engage in a constructive way with other students and the Convenor in the class.
•    The quality NOT quantity of your work in class.

Please note that the onus to participate in class is on you not on the Convenor. In other words, it is not the job of the Convenor to engage you in discussion so that you may avail yourself of the class participation assessment.

Online Participation
The Convenor or Tutor will also assess participation on discussion forums for this unit to elicit evidence of students’ understanding of the course materials. In order to receive marks from online participation, students are required to
•    Provide a critical response of a peer’s research synopsis through iLearn. This is a short response which provides students an opportunity to receive critical and constructive feedback for their final essay ideas. In providing responses, students should identify both weak and strong points of their peer’s essay ideas. Responses must be uploaded no later than the 31 March 2014, 5pm and a strict 500 word limit applies.
Provide at least 1 short response on each topic of the course. Each week a thread will be posted where students must contribute a critical evaluation based on the topic’s reading material. As aforementioned, marks will be based on the quality of material posted, not the length and quantity of responses. Responses are due one week from when the thread is started.

Students are expected to choose their respective research topic from the topics suggested  below.  This  is  a  thought  provoking  exercise  intended  to  stimulate students to work out an appropriate proposal of research. However, students who are unable to select a topic of research and to formulate a research proposal may be assisted. They are advised to approach the Convenor after exhausting their own sincere efforts. Each student is required to submit a one page outline of your research topic for approval before 21 March 2014. Feedback will be provided on the viability of the proposed research with a view to support the skills for independent research at an early stage. This will be marked on a Pass/Fail basis.

(Students who do not submit a Synopsis for their Research Paper will receive a Fail Grade of zero for their final assessment task).

Topic List:

1.  Food and Agriculture

2.  Environmental Issues in WTO Agreements

3.  Trade and Natural Resource Protection

The first  assignment  will  be  a  written  assessment  answering  a  set  question provided to all students. This question will be provided to students within the first two weeks of the semester. The paper should be no more than 3000 words (for which there is no 10% leeway). Students will be assessed on their understanding and explanation of the legal issues presented, the depth of their research as well as their critical evaluation of the relevant issues.  Research should extend beyond the prescribed  books  and  course  materials  (the  recommended  books  and  journals provide   a   starting   point   for   further   research).    Clarity   of   expression, presentation  of  argument,  responsiveness  to  question,  and  correct  and consistent reference style will also be taken into account.

The paper should be well structured including sub-headings where appropriate. The introduction should set out the scope of the paper. Students need to include sufficient detail of the specific legal principles or regime and analysis/application of that law. Be sure to answer the question asked. The conclusion should include recommendations  for  new  law,  law  reform,  further  research  and/or  creative
application of the existing law where appropriate. The essay should be fully referenced according to the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.

Students will be required to prepare a 4,000 word research paper on one of the listed topics.  Please refer to instructions under the Synopsis above.