The Class test is assessed as follows:

Submission: In-class test in week 4. Students will complete the test in class, and the unit co-ordinator will collect the papers from students. If you are late, you will not be allowed to resit the test. If you miss the test because of illness you can re-sit upon production of satisfactory medical certificate and approval from the unit co-ordinator via the normal exemption process.

Marking criteria: The test will be 20 questions and marked out of a possible 20 marks, this is a diagnostic test which means it assesses students on progress to date and allows time to address potential challenges in subsequent classes. The questions will be based on the learnings covered during classes week 1-3 inclusive to ensure students have a thorough foundation of understanding.


Extension: No extensions will be granted.


Penalties: None, however if the test is not taken students will forfeit any marks for this assessment task.

Submission: In-class presentation in week allocated. Students work in groups or individually (depending on numbers) and marks are awarded equally unless there is an objection by students based on one or more students not participating. Case studies are graded based on content and presentation style.

The purpose of this assessment is to allow the students to work on a significant piece of work and communicate their level of understanding of key concepts, theories and issues presented by the case studies during the semester. Each case study requires an oral presentation, approximately 20 minutes, a submitted power point presentation, plus a written report which summarises the key issues raised by the case study. Case study questions and project teams (numbers permitting) will be allocated in week 1 of semester.

Group Presentation component: The breakdown of Presentation and Written task marks are weighted equally for each group member.  The Presentation demonstrates the communication and teamwork skills by presenting to an active audience using specially prepared presentation materials and innovative delivery approaches. 

Presentation Audience: Each group is to present to the class.  Each group will have a maximum ‘overall’ presentation time of 20 minutes.  Each group member must speak for a minimum of four minutes. (This is obviously dependent upon the number of students in each group). Fellow students are encouraged to ask questions at the end of each presentation.

Presentation Task: Will be set by the unit convenor in regard to a legal situation and you are asked to provide an assessment of the legal precedents and apply them to the case or question at hand. This task will be a group piece of work and the University’s policy regarding Group Assessment is provided at http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Marking Criteria: This assessment task allows the students to display oral and written communication skills to explain the key concepts. 10 (of 30) marks are awarded for the presentation itself, 20 (of 30) marks are awarded for the written report and presentation slides.  

Presentation Marking Criteria (10 of 30 marks)

• Audience Communication and question response
• Presenter linking and group effort and support
• Presentation aids/material quality and use
• Presentation Structure and Innovation
• Overall Clarity and Conviction

Report Marking Criteria (20 of 30 marks)

• Demonstrated knowledge of legal concepts citing cases and law sections
• Addressing questions asked using legal concepts appropriately
• Structuring answers succinctly and with appropriate citation of legal precedents
• Balanced responses demonstrating an appreciation for complexity of law rather than simple black and white answers.

Written reports to be no more than 2000 words, powerpoints to be limited to 20 slides. 


Extension: No extensions will be granted.


Penalties: Failure to present or submit will result in no marks being awarded for this assessment task.

Submission: Written hard copy submitted during class in week 13.


A final examination is included as an assessment task to provide assurance that:
1. the product belongs to the student and
2. that the student has attained the knowledge and skills tested in the exam
A final two hour examination for this unit will be held during week 13 i.e. Friday 14th November 2014. All material covered in the course is examinable. It is an open book examination: you may bring unit slides, text books but no handwritten or typed notes into the examination. Further details will be made available via iLearn.


The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In such circumstances students may wish to apply under the Disruption to Studies policy.

Further details are available here: http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html


Marking Criteria: The examination represents 50% of the student's overall assessment for this unit. Typically the examination consists of a multiple-choice format in one section followed by more in depth questions in the next section. Questions in the latter section are designed to test student's ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key topics and issues covered in the unit. Students must pass the final examination in order to achieve a passing grade for the unit. Applications under the Disruption to Studies policy in the final examination can only be applied for by students with a minimum of 45% in the coursework assignments completed up to the application closing date.


Extension: None provided.


Penalties: Students will not receive any marks for this assessment task if they fail to sit the examination. If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Disruption to Studies process the examination will be scheduled as per the Supplementary Examination timetable of the Faculty. Please note that the supplementary exam will be of similar format to the final exam.