Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
George Tomossy
Natalie Klein
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
48cp in LAW or LAWS units and (GPA in LAW units of 3.2) and permission of Executive Dean of Faculty
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides students with an opportunity to develop and demonstrate advanced research skills through a series of seminar presentations and supervised research, leading to the submission of a 8000 word thesis. Students formulate their own research question or argument in any area of legal scholarship or regulation. The thesis must be presented and defended within the broader conditions of its relevance, for example: social, historical, philosophical, economic or environmental contexts.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Research Proposal | 10% | Tuesday 18 March 5pm |
Three minute thesis | 10% | 9 May week 8 |
Submission of Thesis | 80% | end week 12 Friday 6 June 5pm |
Due: Tuesday 18 March 5pm
Weighting: 10%
Taking into account convenor's comments, supervisor's comments and class discussion, submit:
one page research proposal
one page bibliography
outline of thesis structure + weekly work plan (total one page)
Due: 9 May week 8
Weighting: 10%
Present the main argument of your thesis in three minutes before supervisors and fellow researchers. One powerpoint slide with your name and title of your thesis plus an image (no animation) is allowed.
Due: end week 12 Friday 6 June 5pm
Weighting: 80%
8,000 word graded research paper
The supervisor marks the paper from an expert, specialist perspective for content and originality. This mark is worth 40%.
The convenor marks the paper from a generalist perspective for style, referencing, structure and methodology. This mark is worth 40%.
1. Delivery mode
External students are welcome to attend all classes and must attend week 7 (three minute thesis). The unit will use an ilearn website. Peer review activities will take place online.
2. Lecture times and locations
For current updates, lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetables website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au.
3. Required and recommended resources
Required:
LAW561/LAW564 Course Notes, Macquarie University. To be posted at the ilearn website of the unit.
Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review, 3 e 2012)
available online
http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/files/dmfile/FinalOnlinePDF-2012Reprint.pdf
Theses MUST comply with the AGLC.
Recommended:
Hutchinson, Terry. Researching and Writing in Law (3 e) (Thomson, 2010)
Milne, Sue and Kay Tucker. A Practical Guide to Legal Research (Thomson, 2008)
Week |
Date |
Topic |
1 |
7 March |
Introductions Negotiating the Supervisor-Student Dynamic Research Proposal Methodology/Theory
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2 |
14 March |
Methodology/theory Literature Review Ethics Referencing and use of sources
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3 |
21 March |
Revised Research Proposal due Tuesday 18 March 5pm
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4 |
28 March |
Return and discussion of research proposal Sticking to the writing plan: motivational strategies Writing workshop: introductions Structure, referencing, style, paragraphing
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5 |
4 April |
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6 |
11 April |
Writing workshop: 4 pages from the body of your thesis Preparation for Three Minute Thesis |
BREAK |
14-25 April |
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8 |
9 May |
Three minute thesis |
12 |
6 June |
Thesis due 5pm |
Preparation for class is set out in detail on iLearn
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
See detailed outline available on iLearn
Unit webpage and technology used and required |
Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/.
PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
You may wish to use Endnote or Latec for referencing: we will discuss in class.
Please consult teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.
Date | Description |
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15/01/2014 | The Prerequisites was updated. |
09/01/2014 | The Prerequisites was updated. |