Students
LAWS812 – Independent Research Project in Law, Governance and Policy
2017 – S2 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Holly Doel-Mackaway
Contact via Contact via holly.doel-mackaway@mq.edu.au
W3A 625
Wed 10-11
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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 an advanced understanding of the broad body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy.
- Recognise and critically evaluate the range of contemporary challenges associated with promoting social justice, corporate responsibility and effective governance at the national and international levels.
- Engage in high level critical thinking and exercise judgment in the recognition and resolution of contemporary legal and policy challenges.
- Apply sophisticated legal and policy research skills.
- Communicate effectively in the written form at a postgraduate level.
- Produce research findings that address contemporary legal, governance and policy challenges.
General Assessment Information
Macquarie Law School Assessment Policy
In the absence of a successful application for special consideration due to a disruption to studies, any assessment task submitted after the published deadline will not be graded and will receive a mark of zero.
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. The consequence of this will mean that any words over the word limit will not be read nor assessed by the marker. This may mean, for example, that the final paragraphs of the assessment are not marked, and therefore the assessment does not contain a conclusion. If this was the case, this would significantly impact the overall mark for the assessment, so please ensure strict compliance with the word limit.
All assessments in the unit are to be submitted electronically. Plagiarism detection software is used in this unit.
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 midnight on the week or day 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.
Moderation
Detailed marking guidelines will be made available on iLearn. The convenor moderates all assessments. All Fail research essays and take-home exams are double marked.
Technology Required
All students need access to a secure and reliable server for access to iLearn and submission of assessment tasks.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Forum Responses | 30% | No | Midnight Sunday (weeks 1-6) |
| Essay Plan | 10% | No | 11 September 2017 (week 7) |
| Research Essay | 60% | No | 6 November (week 13) |
Online Forum Responses
Due: Midnight Sunday (weeks 1-6)
Weighting: 30%
During weeks 1-6 students are required to actively participate in focused online discussions about the weekly topics. Every Monday (between weeks 1-6) the convenor will post a question based on that week's topics and students will write a response to this question by midnight on Sunday of the same week. These responses are to be approximately 250 words each.
Each question requires students to critically evaluate the materials posted on iLearn for that week’s topic. These materials are: the lecture, the supplementary materials and the allocated readings.
Each student will write 6 responses and each response is marked out of 5. Students will receive their marks for this assessment in two stages: in week 4 (after submitting 3 responses to allow for early feedback before the census date) and then in week 7 (after submitting all responses).
Students are expected to demonstrate an advanced understanding of principles and theories of governance derived from their learning in the unit and relate these understandings to the various weekly topics.
It is envisaged that these online responses will support students to build their knowledge throughout the early stages of the course.
All students will be able to read the responses after midnight each Sunday during weeks 1-6. Students are expected to read and reflect on other student's responses and in doing so students will support each other's learning in the early part of this unit. Students are encouraged to continue to discuss these topics in the online forum on iLearn beyond their individual contributions (although this is not compulsory).
Further instructions will be provided on the unit's iLearn page.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the broad body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy.
- Recognise and critically evaluate the range of contemporary challenges associated with promoting social justice, corporate responsibility and effective governance at the national and international levels.
- Communicate effectively in the written form at a postgraduate level.
Essay Plan
Due: 11 September 2017 (week 7)
Weighting: 10%
Students will revise their Research Proposal from LAWS818 and write an Essay Plan for their Research Paper. The Essay Plan is to be between 500-700 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography) and will include reference to the key issues, arguments, recommendations and authors that will be included in the final Research Paper.
Further instructions will be available on the unit's iLearn page.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the broad body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy.
- Recognise and critically evaluate the range of contemporary challenges associated with promoting social justice, corporate responsibility and effective governance at the national and international levels.
- Engage in high level critical thinking and exercise judgment in the recognition and resolution of contemporary legal and policy challenges.
- Communicate effectively in the written form at a postgraduate level.
Research Essay
Due: 6 November (week 13)
Weighting: 60%
Students are required to submit a 6,000 word (maximum total length inclusive of footnotes, bibliography, tables, figures and appendices) Research Essay with references in accordance with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation 3 (AGLC3). Students must 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:
- Human Rights and Governance
- Environmental Governance
- Privacy and Governance
- Corporate Governance
- Public Health Governance
Further instructions will be provided on the unit's iLearn page.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the broad body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy.
- Recognise and critically evaluate the range of contemporary challenges associated with promoting social justice, corporate responsibility and effective governance at the national and international levels.
- Engage in high level critical thinking and exercise judgment in the recognition and resolution of contemporary legal and policy challenges.
- Apply sophisticated legal and policy research skills.
- Communicate effectively in the written form at a postgraduate level.
- Produce research findings that address contemporary legal, governance and policy challenges.
Delivery and Resources
This unit consists of 6 lectures and a compulsory on campus session (OCS) all day on Thursday 24 August, 2017. Students who are unable to attend must apply for a disruption to studies. If that application is accepted, alternative work will be set in lieu of on-campus attendance.
In addition to the lectures students will be expected to access a range of online resources, as well as weekly readings. These will be posted on the unit's iLearn page for each weekly topic.
The first 6 weeks of the course is designed to provide a foundation to support students to undertake self-directed research and write the final Research Paper (6,000 words).
Unit Schedule
Week 1: Principles and Theories of Governance
Week 2: Human Rights and Governance
Week 3: Environmental Governance
Week 4: Privacy and Governance
Week 5: Corporate Governance
Week 6: Public Health Governance
Weeks 7-13: Self-Directed Independent Research
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
- Communicate effectively in the written form at a postgraduate level.
- Produce research findings that address contemporary 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 outcome
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the broad body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy.
Assessment tasks
- Online Forum Responses
- Essay Plan
- 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 an advanced understanding of the broad body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy.
- Recognise and critically evaluate the range of contemporary challenges associated with promoting social justice, corporate responsibility and effective governance at the national and international levels.
- Engage in high level critical thinking and exercise judgment in the recognition and resolution of contemporary legal and policy challenges.
- Apply sophisticated legal and policy research skills.
Assessment tasks
- Online Forum Responses
- 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
- Recognise and critically evaluate the range of contemporary challenges associated with promoting social justice, corporate responsibility and effective governance at the national and international levels.
- Apply sophisticated legal and policy research skills.
- Communicate effectively in the written form at a postgraduate level.
- Produce research findings that address contemporary 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 outcomes
- Communicate effectively in the written form at a postgraduate level.
- Produce research findings that address contemporary legal, governance and policy challenges.
Assessment tasks
- Online Forum Responses
- 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
- Produce research findings that address contemporary legal, governance and policy challenges.
Assessment task
- Research Essay
Changes from Previous Offering
The unit delivery has been altered and the first 6 weeks of the unit now include 6 online lectures supported by additional online supplementary materials and various specific readings for the respective topics. The convenor as well as several other academics from the Macquarie Law School will deliver these lectures.
The learning outcomes for the unit have been amended.
An additional topic, 'privacy and governance', has been included in the unit.
The assessment regime has also been modified requiring students to respond to questions in the unit's online forum during weeks 1-6 (worth 30%). Further, the word length of the Essay Plan (500-750 words) and the Research Essay (6,000 words inclusive of footnotes, bibliography, tables, figures and appendices) have been increased.
Finally, attendance at the on campus session (OCS) is now compulsory for all students.