Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Senior Lecturer
George Tomossy
Contact via e-mail
W3A510
Tues 1-3
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Credit points |
Credit points
6
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
48cp in LAW or LAWS units and (GPA in LAW units of 3.25) 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 15,000 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 | 20% | 10am Monday of Week 4 s1 |
Three minute thesis | 0% | Week 7 (of 2nd semester) |
Submission of Thesis | 80% | See description |
Due: 10am Monday of Week 4 s1
Weighting: 20%
Taking into account convenor's comments, supervisor's comments and class discussion, submit a research proposal (maximum 3 pages) outlining their research question, essay structure and annotated bibliography.
Due: Week 7 (of 2nd semester)
Weighting: 0%
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.
This assessment is formative and graded on a Pass/Fail basis.
Due: See description
Weighting: 80%
15,000 - 20,000 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%.
The final paper is due by 10am on the first Monday after the end of the teaching period of the second semester in this year-long unit.
1. Delivery mode
All students (internal and external) must attend the scheduled seminar where students present their three minute thesis.
Attendance for all other seminars (see iLearn for schedule and activities) are optional and are made available to assist students.
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:
Readings posted on the ilearn website of the unit.
Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review, 3rd ed, 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 (Thomson, 3rd ed, 2010)
Craswell, G & M Poore. Writing for Academic Success (Sage Publications, 2nd ed, 2012)
Creswell, J. Research Design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (Sage Publications, 3rd ed, 2009)
Dawson, J and N Peart. The Law of Research: A guide (University of Otago Press, 2003)
Dunleavy, P. Authoring a PhD (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) Chapter 9.
Enright, C. and P Sidorko. Legal Research Technique (Branxton Press, 2002).
Halliday, S., and P Schmidt. Conducting Law and Society Research: Reflections on methods and practices (CUP, 2009).
McKerchar, M. Design and Conduct of Research in Tax, Law and Accounting (Thompson LBC, 2010).
Punch, K. Developing Effective Research Proposals (Sage, 2006) [useful on literature reviews 44-49].
Watt, R. Concise Legal Research (Federation Press, 6th ed, 2009).
MOTIVATIONAL STRATEGIES
Useful websites:
Turbocharging your writing http://www.ithinkwell.com.au/resources.html
Aimed at PhD students and GPs, this site run by psychologists has a range of practical tips and strategies to help you plan and stick to your plan.
The Desk https://www.thedesk.org.au/about
Set up by the University of Queensland and funded by Beyond Blue, this Australian website aims to help students with modules, tools, and quizzes on avoiding perfectionism and procrastination, as well as advice on a broad range of stresses facing students. You need to register to use the site.
Week |
Topic |
1 (s1) |
Introductions Negotiating the Supervisor-Student Dynamic Research Proposal Methodology/Theory
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2 (s1) |
Methodology/theory Literature Review Ethics Referencing and use of sources
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4 (s1) |
Return and discussion of research proposal Sticking to the writing plan: motivational strategies Writing workshop: introductions Structure, referencing, style, paragraphing
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No Classes: students to continue writing and revising |
6 (S2) |
Writing workshop: 4 pages from the body of your thesis Preparation for Three Minute Thesis |
7 (s2) |
Three minute thesis |
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/
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 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.
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 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:
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:
Weighting of Assessment Task 1 increased to 20% (from 10%), with Assessment Task 2 reduced to 0% (from 10%) weighting.
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.