Students

LAW 895 – Legal Research Dissertation

2017 – FY1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Associate Professor
Malcolm Voyce
Contact via 9850 7089
W3A 617
Thursdays
Credit points Credit points
8
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(Admission to MEnvLaw or MIntEnvLaw or MIntTrdeComLaw or MIntRelMIntTrdeComLaw or LLM or (42cp in LAW or LAWS units at 400 or 500 level) or (admission to JD and 32cp in LAW or LAWS units at 800 level)) and permission by special approval
Corequisites Corequisites
LAWS818
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The dissertation topic may be drawn from any area in the LLM program. The word limit for the dissertation is 20,000 words The student will be supervised by one of the staff members participating in the LLM program. The dissertation will normally be examined within the Law School.

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:

  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the core principles governing their areas of enquiry.
  • Demonstrate sophisticated skills of communication, appropriately synthesising appropriate scholarship in the relevant areas.
  • Demonstrate an ability to utilise and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, apply higher-level critical thinking skills and integrate learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments to learning.
  • Use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society.
  • Demonstrate ethical awareness and capacity to meet their professional and community responsibilities.
  • Demonstrate the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Dissertation Proposal 10% No 5:00 pm Friday, Week 3, S 1
Presentation 10% No Week 9, S 2
Dissertation 80% No 5.00 pm, Friday, Week 13, S 2

Dissertation Proposal

Due: 5:00 pm Friday, Week 3, S 1
Weighting: 10%

Students are required to formulate a proposal for the dissertation. This should be prepared on the form attached to the end of this Unit Guide and submitted to the convenor and supervisor. There is no grade given for the proposal but its submission is a compulsory requirement of the Unit. Research projects may advance only after approval of a proposal by the convenor.

The proposal should include the following:-

  • a working title of the project,
  • the area of law in which your topic is situated ,
  • the research question that you are seeking to explore,
  • the methodological approached which you will be employing, and
  • an outline of the structure of the proposed dissertation.

 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the core principles governing their areas of enquiry.

Presentation

Due: Week 9, S 2
Weighting: 10%

 Students are required to present a summary of their research either orally in person (internal students) or through a PowerPoint presentation and an online participation (external students). Oral presentations should be with between 3 - 5 minutes with an extra 3 minutes for questions. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the core principles governing their areas of enquiry.
  • Demonstrate sophisticated skills of communication, appropriately synthesising appropriate scholarship in the relevant areas.
  • Use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society.
  • Demonstrate the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

Dissertation

Due: 5.00 pm, Friday, Week 13, S 2
Weighting: 80%

 The graded assessment of this Unit will be based upon the submitted research dissertation. The dissertation should be well structured, with sub-headings where appropriate and be fully referenced as per the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. The supervisor of a dissertation cannot also be an examiner of that dissertation. Examiners are normally members of staff in the School of Law. A supervisor may present a special case for the appointment of an outside examiner, who will normally be a member of a similar Department in another university or a legal practitioner.  

Examiners will assess the dissertation based upon the criteria set out in the rubric attached to the end of this Unit Guide. Examiners will also complete a written report at the end of the examination process, a template of which is also attached to the end of this Unit Guide. You will be provided with a copy of that report. 

Once received, the examiner’s report will be communicated by the convenor to the student’s supervisor, who will then have an opportunity to provide further comments. In the event of disagreement between the examiner and supervisor, the unit convenor reserves the right to make a determination about the final grade that should be awarded for the paper.  

The examination process may take 6 - 8 weeks.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the core principles governing their areas of enquiry.
  • Demonstrate sophisticated skills of communication, appropriately synthesising appropriate scholarship in the relevant areas.
  • Demonstrate an ability to utilise and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, apply higher-level critical thinking skills and integrate learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments to learning.
  • Use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society.
  • Demonstrate ethical awareness and capacity to meet their professional and community responsibilities.
  • Demonstrate the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

Delivery and Resources

Delivery:

The unit will be undertaken with supervision from a staff member and assistance from the Unit convenor.

 

Resources:

There are several key texts on legal research and writing. Again any one of these will be useful:

  • Terry Hutchinson, Research and Writing in the Law (2010) (3rd Ed) Lawbook Co  
  • Rowena Murray, How to Write a Thesis, Open University Press, 2002
 

This unit will have an iLearn presence.

Both assignments are to be submitted through Turnitin. You will find the Turnitin link for each assignment in the iLearn folder for the assignment

Unit Schedule

This Unit is completed under the supervision of a member of staff. However, the students should also undertake the teaching activities of Laws818. In addition, the following outlines how the unit will be conducted.

WEEK

ACTIVITIES

1-2

(Session 1)

Appointment of Supervisor

Discussion with Supervisor of research topic

Liaise with Supervisor to finalise research topic and develop abstract

3 (Session 1)

Submit abstract to Co-ordinator

 

9 (Session 2)

Three to five minute presentation of draft paper in seminar setting to staff and fellow students

11 (Session 2)

Submit draft of complete research paper to supervisor for feedback

13 (Session 2)

Submit final paper

 

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_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.

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.

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://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.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate sophisticated skills of communication, appropriately synthesising appropriate scholarship in the relevant areas.
  • Demonstrate an ability to utilise and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, apply higher-level critical thinking skills and integrate learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments to learning.
  • Demonstrate the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

Assessment task

  • Dissertation

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the core principles governing their areas of enquiry.

Assessment tasks

  • Dissertation Proposal
  • Presentation
  • Dissertation

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate an ability to utilise and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, apply higher-level critical thinking skills and integrate learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments to learning.

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Dissertation

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the core principles governing their areas of enquiry.
  • Demonstrate an ability to utilise and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, apply higher-level critical thinking skills and integrate learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments to learning.
  • Use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society.

Assessment tasks

  • Dissertation Proposal
  • Presentation
  • Dissertation

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate sophisticated skills of communication, appropriately synthesising appropriate scholarship in the relevant areas.

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Dissertation

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an ability to utilise and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, apply higher-level critical thinking skills and integrate learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments to learning.
  • Demonstrate ethical awareness and capacity to meet their professional and community responsibilities.
  • Demonstrate the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

Assessment task

  • Dissertation