Students
LAW 488 – Access to Justice Placement Program
2015 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Debra Ronan
Contact via debra.ronan@mq.edu.au
W3A 518
Wednesday 12-4
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
48cp in LAW or LAWS units 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 involves attendance at clinical placements and internships. There are three distinct clinical placement programs:Public Interest Advocacy Centre – students learn the strategies and issues in advocating for the public interest, and explore strategies to achieve legal change. The program involves time at PIAC, and with the pro bono section of a law firm and a law-related agency.Macquarie Legal Centre (MLC) – students participate in community legal centre practice, study and reflect on access to justice issues, the operation of law in society, and the roles lawyers play.MLC Family Law Placement – students participate in community legal centre practice, focusing on family relationships law and practice.Entry to this unit is by application. Applications open in November for the following year. Placement opportunities at other organisations may arise during the year, and are advertised via email by the convenor.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Analyse and critique the social, political, ethical and legal issues involved in public provision of legal services in specific contexts including: public interest advocacy; or community legal centre practice; or family law; or refugee law and advocacy
- Contrast and analyse the connection and tension between law and procedure on the one hand, and the realities of legal practice on the other
- Identify the personal and professional demands on, and expectations of, a lawyer in practice
- Apply the interpersonal skills necessary in legal practice
- Engage in reflection and develop self-awareness
- Apply effective communication skills
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | 0% | Completion of placement |
| Class participation | 10% | See iLearn |
| Presentation | 20% | See iLearn |
| Research essay | 50% | See iLearn |
| Reflection | 20% | See iLearn |
Placement
Due: Completion of placement
Weighting: 0%
This is a pass/fail component. Students must attend and participate in each placement day.
To indicate satisfactory attendance and participation, the placement supervisor will certify to the unit convenor that each student:
- attended each day
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responded to directions and carried out required tasks
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participated constructivley in discussions
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acted ethically, i.e respectfully, with apparent honesty, and was aware of potential conflicts of interest
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the personal and professional demands on, and expectations of, a lawyer in practice
- Apply the interpersonal skills necessary in legal practice
Class participation
Due: See iLearn
Weighting: 10%
Students are required to participate in class discussion by responding to set discussion questions.The questions and attendance dates for the various groups are provided on iLearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Contrast and analyse the connection and tension between law and procedure on the one hand, and the realities of legal practice on the other
- Identify the personal and professional demands on, and expectations of, a lawyer in practice
Presentation
Due: See iLearn
Weighting: 20%
Students make an 8 minute presentation to members of the placement group, and other placement groups about a particular aspect of their placement and the institutions attended. Guidelines and marking criteria are on iLearn. Dates for presentations will be allocated at the first seminar for each group.
Presentations will be held during week 8 and 11 (Monday-Thursday) 5-7.30pm. Students are only required to attend on the date of their presentation.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply effective communication skills
Research essay
Due: See iLearn
Weighting: 50%
MLC - Students are required to submit a research essay on a social justice or community legal centre policy and practice issue. Topics will be provided, and students may nominate their own topic for approval by the convenor.
PIAC - Students are required to submit a research essay on a public interest issue. Students may nominate their own topic for approval by the convenor.
FRC - Students are required to submit a research essay on issues that arise in provision of family law and community legal services. Topics will be provided, and students may nominate their own topic for approval by the convenor.
RACS - Students are required to submit a research essay on issues that arise during their RACS placement in the provision of assistance to refugees. Students nominate their own topic for approval by the convenor.
Essay questions, marking criteria and due dates are on iLearn
Essays are submitted via the Turnitin link on iLearn
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and critique the social, political, ethical and legal issues involved in public provision of legal services in specific contexts including: public interest advocacy; or community legal centre practice; or family law; or refugee law and advocacy
Reflection
Due: See iLearn
Weighting: 20%
Depending upon the placement, students are required to write a reflective report or weekly journal entry for each week of the placement. Guidelines and marking criteria are on iLearn
PIAC, FRC , RACS Feb intensive - Week 3 reflective report
RACS & MLC weekly- Weekly journal commencing week 3
Reflective reports (PIAC, FRC, RACS) are submitted via the link on iLearn
Reflective journals (MLC) are submitted by 5pm each friday by email commencing week 3, by email. Details will be provided at induction
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Engage in reflection and develop self-awareness
Delivery and Resources
Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/.
PC and Internet access are required. Computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing and PowerPoint are also a requirement.
Outcomes have been merged, and assessment values have changed from previous offerings of the unit
Unit Schedule
Placements
Intensive placement with PIAC during February.
Intensive placement with RACS during January and February.
Intensive Placement with Macquarie Legal Centre Family Law program during February
Weekly placement with Macquarie Legal Centre commencing week 2
Weekly placement with RACS
Others as become available from time to time (will be advertised via email)
Macquarie Seminars - Reflective practice, practising in the public interest, access to justice, community legal centres and legal aid
Policies and Procedures
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.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie Law School Assessment Policy
Word limits in Macquarie Law School assessments are strictly applied. The word limit does not include footnotes or bibliographies where they are required. Unless explicitly indicated otherwise, referencing must comply with the current version of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. In the absence of a successful application for special consideration, any assessment task submitted after its published deadline will not be graded and will receive a mark of zero.
All research essays (excluding online quizzes) will require submission through Turnitin
'Special Consideration'
The University Special Consideration Policy has been replaced with the new 'Disruption Policy'. The Policy can be found at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
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.