Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Zara Bending
Contact via e-mail
6FW 607
Tues 4-5 via Zoom (weeks 1-7, 9-13) or by appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertLaw or JD
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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 offered on a pass/fail basis. This unit enables students to attain well-developed cognitive and practical key legal skills (legal research, reasoning, and writing; applying precedent; statutory interpretation; and legal problem solving) and to acquire an advanced level of foundational legal knowledge (Australian legal institutions; legal theory; comparative legal systems; parliamentary process; role of the judiciary) necessary for further graduate study in law. This unit will challenge students to apply their skills and knowledge to examine a contemporary socio-legal issue through a collaborative group project. Students will also engage in reflective practice. |
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:
Internal students should refer to Assessment Task deadlines indicated in the 'Special circumstance' version of this unit guide.
Further instructions for each assessment task are available on the unit's iLearn page.
Students are also advised that:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Academic Integrity and Referencing Quiz | 10% | Yes | 10/08/20 (hurdle 17/08/20) |
Legal Research Quizzes | 25% | Yes | 21/09/20 (hurdle 26/10/20) |
Core Skills Assessment | 30% | Yes | P1:28/9/20 (hurdle 19/10/20); P2:13/11/20 (hurdle 20/11/20) |
Reflection on Law | 20% | Yes | 12/10/20 (hurdle 9/11/20) |
Foundations of Law Quiz | 15% | Yes | 5/11/20 (hurdle 9/11/20) |
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: 10/08/20 (hurdle 17/08/20)
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Consists of two online multiple choice quizzes in which students will demonstrate their ability to apply principles of academic integrity and rules for correct legal citation.
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 21/09/20 (hurdle 26/10/20)
Weighting: 25%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Consists of nine (9) online multiple choice quizzes where students will demonstrate their ability to carry out legal research using online databases, library and internet sources.
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: P1:28/9/20 (hurdle 19/10/20); P2:13/11/20 (hurdle 20/11/20)
Weighting: 30%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Consists of a short assignment (max 2,500 words, excluding footnotes) submitted online in which students will analyse and interpret primary legal sources (case law and legislation) and relate these to foundational concepts. After successfully completing this formative component, foundational knowledge and application of core skills will also be evaluated through a 15-minute oral assessment (in person or remotely).
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 12/10/20 (hurdle 9/11/20)
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Consists of a written reflection (1,500 words) in which students analyse a media article concerning the effectiveness of Australian legal frameworks in addressing a contemporary legal issue.
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 5/11/20 (hurdle 9/11/20)
Weighting: 15%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Consists of a timed online quiz in which students demonstrate their understanding of foundational aspects of Australian law, including core concepts in public law.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
All Lectures for this unit are pre-recorded and can be accessed via the unit iLearn page.
Subject to any disruption arising from COVID-19 (in which case tutorials may change to online delivery via Zoom), tutorials will be conducted face-to-face at the North Ryde campus over a two-day intensive as scheduled in http://timetables.mq.edu.au An alternative weekly online (via Zoom) option will be made available to students during week 1 to commence in week 2. Further instructions will be provided on the unit's iLearn page.
Online content for this unit can be accessed at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Required Textbook:
R. Creyke et al., Laying Down the Law (LexisNexis, 10th ed, 2017).
Additional required and recommended reading materials will be posted at the unit’s iLearn page.
Computer and Internet access are required in order to successfully complete this unit. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
Week # |
Topics Covered |
1 |
Foundations of Australian Law; Legal Traditions; Classifications of Law |
2 |
Australian Legal History and Constitution; Separation of Powers |
3 |
Statutory Interpretation; The Legislature and Executive Branches of Government |
4 |
Legal Research |
5 |
Case Law and the Doctrine of Precedent; Equity and the common Law; The Judiciary |
6 |
Case Law and Judicial Reasoning; Analysing Cases; Legal Writing |
7 |
Legal Problem Solving |
8 |
Constitutionalism and Democratic Institutions; Law Reform; Tribunals and Popular Justice |
9 |
The Rule of Law; Australian Human Rights Law |
10 |
Indigenous and Customary Law in Australia |
11 |
Statutory Obligations and Discretion; International Law in Australia |
12 |
Applying Skills to Solving Complex Legal Problems |
Further details on lecture topics and tutorial activities can be found on the unit’s iLearn page.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.
The assessment design for this unit was revised to remove the Hypothetical Problem assignment. Instead, the Core Skills Assignment now consists of two Parts as set out under the Assessment Information.