Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Dr Jed Goodfellow
Contact via jed.goodfellow@mq.edu.au
W3A
Each afternoon following the lectures
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
3cp in LAW or LAWS units at 300 level
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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 is concerned with the role of the law in regulating our interactions with animals. This unit considers the important philosophical, ethical, legal and regulatory questions regarding the treatment of animals. How should animals be treated in modern-day society? Why are some animals afforded greater protections than others? How does one determine what is necessary and unnecessary harm in the treatment of animals? Should animals be conceptualised as personal property or afforded some or all of the protections available to legal persons under the law? Students will be exposed to a range of ideas that will inform their analysis of the contemporary animal welfare legislative framework. Regulatory arrangements will be examined and contrasted in relation to: companion animals; farm animals; animals used in commercial food (or other) production; wildlife, including protected species; and animals used in scientific experimentation, zoos and circuses. Significant international developments in animal law will be considered, and avenues for public interest litigation explored. Throughout the course, students will be presented with practical case-studies and a rich diversity of perspectives from a range of expert speakers. This unit is designed to be interactive and thought-provoking in which previous conceptions and assumptions regarding non-human animals are challenged.
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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 | Hurdle | Due |
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Presentation | 40% | Yes | 9 January 2018 |
Research Paper | 60% | No | 22 January 2018 |
Due: 9 January 2018
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
This assessment requires students (in groups of three to four) to give a 20 minute presentation on a particular area of animal use that was not specifically addressed during the course. The presentations must outline the relevant regulatory framework and provide a critical assessment of the framework using theoretical concepts covered during the course. Presentations will be followed by 5 minutes of questions from the class. Students will be assessed on their presentation/communication skills, the quality of research undertaken, and their application of theory. 50% of the marks allocated to this assessment piece will be attributed on a group basis while the other 50% will be attributed on an individual basis. Students will be assigned to groups before the commencement of the intensive session.
Any student who does not complete and participate in the Presentation will receive a zero mark for this assessment item.
Due: 22 January 2018
Weighting: 60%
To fulfil the requirements of this assessment item, students must write a Research Paper in relation to one of several set questions or, with the prior approval of the Unit Convenor, their own question. The set questions will be available on iLearn on 11 December 2017. The Research Paper must be a properly referenced formal response with appropriate analysis and argument supported by relevant authoritative cases and commentary. The research paper must be typed on A4 paper and must be kept to a maximum 2,500 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography). In completing their research paper, students must comply with the 3rd edition of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation, compiled by the Melbourne University Law Review. The Guide is available for download for free at:
https://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1586203/FinalOnlinePDF-2012Reprint.pdf
Hard copies are available in the MQ Library at LAW REF KU48.A84.
The Research Paper must be submitted via Turnitin by 5 pm on Monday, 22 January 2018.
REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS
PRESCRIBED MATERIALS
1. P Sankoff, S White & C Black (eds) Animal Law in Australasia, 2nd ed, Federation Press, 2013
2. Macquarie Library E-Reserve
REFERENCE MATERIALS
1. S J Armstrong & R G Botzler (eds), The Animal Ethics Reader, 2nd ed, Routledge, 2008
2. M Bagaric & K Akers, Humanising Animals: Civilising People, CCH, 2012
3. A Bruce, Animal law in Australia, An Integrated Approach, LexisNexis, 2012
4. J R Garrett (ed), The Ethics of Animal Research, Exploring the Controversy, The MIT Press, 2012
5. P Sankoff & S White (eds), Animal Law in Australasia, 1st ed, Federation Press, 2009
6. D Cao, Animal law in Australia & New Zealand, Thomson Reuters, 2010
7. Y Otomo & E Mussawir (eds) Law and the Question of the Animal: A Critical Jurisprudence, Routledge, 2013
8. M Radford, Animal Welfare Law in Britain: Regulation and Responsibility, Oxford University Press, 2001
9. C Sunstein & M Nussbaum, Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions, Oxford University Press, 2004
10. B A Wagman & M Liebman, A Worldview of Animal Law, Carolina Academic Press, 2011
11. Animal Law Review (available at HeinOnline)
12. Journal of Animal Law (available at HeinOnline)
13. Standford Journal of Animal Law & Policy
14. Journal of Animal Law & Ethics (available at HeinOnline)
15. Journal of Animal & Environmental Law (available at http://www.jael-online.org/)
16. Journal of Animal and Natural Resource Law (available at http://www.animallaw.info/)
17. Australian Animal Protection Law Journal (In library & HeinOnline)
18. Animal Legal and Historical Center (http://www.animallaw.info/)
DELIVERY OF UNIT
This unit will be delivered by a one week intensive session consisting of a combination of lectures, tutorials, and group related activities during class time.
External students are required to attend in person for classes on 8 and 9 January 2018.
If a student who is absent from classes for medical or other acceptable reason provides, within a reasonable time, the Unit Convenor with (i) appropriate medical or other documentary evidence, and (ii) satisfactory written answers to the questions set for that class, that student will be deemed to have attended the class for the purposes of the minimum attendance requirement noted above.
Any student who does not comply with the attendance requirement will receive a zero mark for the unit, irrespective of marks gained in the prescribed assessment items.
CHANGES TO PREVIOUS OFFERINGS OF THIS UNIT
Different weightings have been assigned to assessment pieces.
TOPICS STUDIED IN THIS UNIT
The week intensive will be delivered from 9 am to 3 pm from Monday to Thursday with the exception of Tuesday, on which classes will go until 4.30 pm. External students are only required to attend on the Monday and Tuesday and will deliver their presentations after class on the Tuesday, 9 January 2018. The schedule of topics and classes in this unit are as follows. All lectures will be recorded and made accessible through echo on iLearn. External students are welcome to attend for sessions on Wednesday and Thursday but this is not a course requirement:
Day |
Date |
Topics |
1 |
8 January |
Introduction to Animal Law |
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History: Philosophical Development, Origins of Property Status & First Animal Protection Laws |
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Contemporary Philosophical Thought and Animal Law Strategy |
2 |
9 January |
Principles of Animal Welfare Law and Regulation |
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Standard-setting and Enforcement of Animal Welfare Legislation |
3 |
10 January |
Regulation of the Treatment of Companion Animals |
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Regulation of the Treatment of Farm Animals |
4 |
11 January |
International Issues in Animal Law |
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Strategic Litigation – Animal Law in Practice |
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Animal Politics and Law Reform |
5 |
12 January |
Presentations (for internal students) |
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_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
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.
Any assessment that is received after the due date and time without an approved Disruption to Studies application will attract a 2% per day late penalty (2 marks per 100 for the individual assessment item). No assessments will be accepted beyond 7 days after the due date and time.
This policy does not apply to quizzes or timed assessments (where the assessment is due less than one week after the question is released). No late assessments are accepted in these instances.
Applications for a Disruption to Studies are made electronically via ask.mq.edu.au and should be accompanied by supporting documentation. Students should refer to the Disruption to Studies policy for complete details of the policy and a description of the supporting documentation required.
Word limits will be strictly applied and work above the word limit will not be marked.
All assessments in the unit are to be submitted electronically. Plagiarism detection software is used in this unit.
EXTENSIONS AND DISRUPTION TO STUDIES
EXTENSIONS
Any student seeking an extension of time to submit the research paper must submit an application for Special Consideration in accordance with the policy and procedure set out below. Extensions of greater than seven (7) days will not usually be granted.
DISRUPTION TO STUDIES
Disruption to Studies Policy - what is it?
The University recognises that students may experience disruptions that adversely affect their academic performance in assessment activities. Support Services are provided by the University to assist students through their studies. Whilst advice and recommendations may be made to a student, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to access these services as appropriate.
The Disruption to Studies Policy applies only to serious and unavoidable disruptions that arise after a study period has commenced. The full Disruption to Studies Policy can be found here.
Serious and Unavoidable Disruption: The University classifies a disruption as serious and unavoidable if it:
Students with a pre-existing disability/health condition or prolonged adverse circumstances may be eligible for ongoing assistance and support. Such support is governed by other policies and may be sought and coordinated through Campus Wellbeing and Support Services.
How to submit a Disruption to Studies Notification?
NOTIFICATION
The Disruption to Studies Notification must be completed and submitted online through www.ask.mq.edu.au within five (5) working days of the commencement of the disruption. In the situation where a student requires a proxy to submit it on their behalf, this will be taken into account on submission of appropriate evidence as detailed below.
In submitting a Disruption to Studies Notification, a student is acknowledging that they may be required to undertake additional work. The time and date, deadline or format of any required extra assessable work as a result of a Disruption to Studies Notification is not negotiable. Further, in submitting a Disruption to Studies Notification, a student is agreeing to make themself available so that they can complete any extra work as required.
VALIDITY
Supporting documentation must be submitted within five (5) working days of submitting the Disruption to Studies Notification. Refer to the Disruption to Studies: Supporting Evidence Schedule for information/examples of supporting documentary evidence relevant to the disruption event(s).
Once supporting documentation has been supplied, a determination of whether the disruption meets the Serious and Unavoidable criteria will commence.
All original documentation submitted regarding the disruption must be retained by the student as this may be requested by the University at any time. In this event, students will be provided 10 business days to submit the original documentation.
WITHDRAWAL OF NOTICE OF DISRUPTION
A student may withdraw their Disruption to Studies Notification up to the point where the determination of whether it is Serious and Unavoidable has been made. After this determination, the student may not withdraw the Disruption to Studies Notification and must submit themselves to partake in the assessment activities organised by the Unit Convenor.
Where the particular circumstances pertaining to the disruption are medical in nature, a completed Professional Authority Form is required to be submitted with the Disruption to Studies Notification. Medical certificates will not be accepted as supporting documentation.
Refer to the Disruption to Studies: Supporting Evidence Schedule for details regarding the Professional Authority that is relevant to the disruption event. Students can contact staff in Campus Wellbeing and Support Services for professional guidance on medical circumstances relating to a disruption event or to the completion of a Professional Authority Form.
The University may contact the Registered Health Professional or their practice to verify the authenticity of any Professional Authority Form or other supporting information provided or to obtain further information from the Registered Health Professional regarding the impact of the medical condition on the student's ability to complete the assessment task and/or final examination.
Conditions existing prior to commencing a unit of study are covered by other policies, except in the event of deterioration or exacerbation of the condition. The student is responsible for managing their workload in light of any known or anticipated problems. Students with a pre-existing disability/health condition may contact Campus Wellbeing and Support Services for information on available support.
Where the particular circumstances pertaining to the disruption to studies are non-medical in nature, appropriate supporting evidence indicating the severity (serious / not serious) and impact of the circumstances must be included with the Disruption to Studies Notification as set out in the Disruption to Studies: Supporting Evidence Schedule. Details of the actual circumstances are not required to be included if the supporting evidence provides the severity impact of the circumstances.
Academic Performance Academic performance is not a consideration for the determination of whether a disruption is classified as Serious and Unavoidable.
The full Disruption to Studies Procedure can be found here.
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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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:
Different weightings have been assigned to assessment pieces.