Students
LAWS812 – Independent Research Project in Law, Governance and Policy
2017 – S1 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
George Tomossy
Contact via george.tomossy@mq.edu.au
W3A510
Wed 2-3
Lise Barry
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
LAWS818
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
In this unit, students will consolidate their understanding of core concepts and principles of modern theories of governance. They will examine critiques of 'governance' from different disciplinary perspectives. Case studies will be reviewed from the following areas: Public Health, Environment, Commerce, and Human Rights. Students will apply an interdisciplinary lens to produce an independent research paper or policy reform proposal (6,000 words) that builds on their Research Proposal developed in LAWS818. Students may focus on international, national or local governance issues.
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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:
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of a broad and complex body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy.
- Describe and critique the broader context within which law reform and policy are developed, at domestic and international levels, implemented and evaluated.
- Recognize and reflect upon contemporary challenges to promoting objectives in social justice, corporate responsibility, effective governance, democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development in a global setting.
- Engage in high level critical thinking and exercise judgment in the recognition and resolution of current legal and policy challenges.
- Apply sophisticated legal and policy research skills to the resolution of problems and to formulate reform proposals.
- Communicate effectively in a written form at a postgraduate level, including adhering to proper referencing standards.
- Carry out independent research and engage in self-directed learning to develop new and creative solutions to legal, governance and policy challenges.
General Assessment Information
Assessments are to be submitted online through Turnitin using the unit's iLearn page. All tasks must be submitted in Word (.doc or .docx) format.
Assessments are due by 10pm on the Week indicated for each assessment task.
Note: Deadlines refer to teaching weeks. The semester consists of 13 teaching weeks and a two-week mid-semester break. Teaching Week 9 is therefore week 11 of the semester.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective Essay | 30% | No | Week 6 |
| Essay Plan | 10% | Yes | Week 7 |
| Research Essay | 60% | No | Week 13 |
Reflective Essay
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 30%
Students will submit a short essay (750 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography) reflecting on principles and theories of governance, consolidating their learning from core readings of the unit. Further instructions will be provided on the unit's iLearn page.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of a broad and complex body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy.
- Describe and critique the broader context within which law reform and policy are developed, at domestic and international levels, implemented and evaluated.
- Communicate effectively in a written form at a postgraduate level, including adhering to proper referencing standards.
Essay Plan
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Students are encouraged to revise their Research Proposal from LAWS818 to provide a short Essay Plan of 250 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography) for their Research Paper. Further instructions will be available on the unit's iLearn page.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognize and reflect upon contemporary challenges to promoting objectives in social justice, corporate responsibility, effective governance, democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development in a global setting.
- Engage in high level critical thinking and exercise judgment in the recognition and resolution of current legal and policy challenges.
- Communicate effectively in a written form at a postgraduate level, including adhering to proper referencing standards.
Research Essay
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 60%
Students are required to submit a 5,000 word (maximum length, excluding bibliography, tables, figures and appendices) research essay with references in accordance with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation 3 (AGLC3). They will apply their research skills and understanding of legal research methodologies to execute an independent research project to address a contemporary challenge in legal governance, from either a domestic or international perspective, under one of the following broad topic areas:
- Public Health
- Environment
- Commerce
- Human Rights
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of a broad and complex body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy.
- Describe and critique the broader context within which law reform and policy are developed, at domestic and international levels, implemented and evaluated.
- Recognize and reflect upon contemporary challenges to promoting objectives in social justice, corporate responsibility, effective governance, democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development in a global setting.
- Engage in high level critical thinking and exercise judgment in the recognition and resolution of current legal and policy challenges.
- Apply sophisticated legal and policy research skills to the resolution of problems and to formulate reform proposals.
- Communicate effectively in a written form at a postgraduate level, including adhering to proper referencing standards.
- Carry out independent research and engage in self-directed learning to develop new and creative solutions to legal, governance and policy challenges.
Delivery and Resources
In the first half of this year-long unit, students will complete all assessment tasks and attend seminars for LAWS818.
The second half of the unit will include online materials and seven 2-hour face-to-face seminars over the second semester of this year-long unit. These seminars are not compulsory.
Readings (links to articles) and further instructions will be provided on the unit's iLearn page.
Unit Schedule
This unit will be delivered in block mode and canvass the following topics:
1. Defining Governance
2. Principles and Theories of Governance
3. Public Health Governance
4. Environmental Governance
5. Corporate Governance
6. Human Rights and Governance
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 outcome
- Carry out independent research and engage in self-directed learning to develop new and creative solutions to legal, governance and policy challenges.
Assessment task
- Research Essay
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 outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of a broad and complex body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy.
- Describe and critique the broader context within which law reform and policy are developed, at domestic and international levels, implemented and evaluated.
Assessment tasks
- Reflective Essay
- Research Essay
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 outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of a broad and complex body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy.
- Describe and critique the broader context within which law reform and policy are developed, at domestic and international levels, implemented and evaluated.
- Recognize and reflect upon contemporary challenges to promoting objectives in social justice, corporate responsibility, effective governance, democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development in a global setting.
- Engage in high level critical thinking and exercise judgment in the recognition and resolution of current legal and policy challenges.
- Apply sophisticated legal and policy research skills to the resolution of problems and to formulate reform proposals.
Assessment tasks
- Reflective Essay
- Research Essay
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
- Recognize and reflect upon contemporary challenges to promoting objectives in social justice, corporate responsibility, effective governance, democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development in a global setting.
- Apply sophisticated legal and policy research skills to the resolution of problems and to formulate reform proposals.
- Carry out independent research and engage in self-directed learning to develop new and creative solutions to legal, governance and policy challenges.
Assessment tasks
- Essay Plan
- Research Essay
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
- Communicate effectively in a written form at a postgraduate level, including adhering to proper referencing standards.
Assessment tasks
- Reflective Essay
- Essay Plan
- Research Essay
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 outcome
- Carry out independent research and engage in self-directed learning to develop new and creative solutions to legal, governance and policy challenges.
Assessment task
- Research Essay
Changes from Previous Offering
The assessment regime has been modified to decrease the weight and word length of the Research Essay, to 40% and to add a Short Essay (worth 10%).