Students
LAWS5930 – Legal Research Project Part B
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
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.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Rita Matulionyte
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
LAWS5920
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This is an advanced legal research unit for Bachelor of Laws students intending to graduate with Honours. In this unit, students work under the close supervision of the academic convenor of the unit and their research supervisor to develop a thesis that addresses a contemporary legal problem. Building on the methodology, plan and literature review developed in Legal Research Project A, students will complete an advanced independent legal research project in the form of a 15,000 word thesis. This unit requires advanced independent legal research skills, the ability to engage in self directed research under supervision, and superior legal writing ability. The unit is particularly suited to Law students considering higher degree research. |
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:
- ULO1: Critically analyse complex legal problems by identifying, researching, evaluating and synthesising relevant factual, legal and policy issues
- ULO2: Identify and apply the ethics of legal research scholarship to the execution of an extended independent legal research project
- ULO3: Prepare and present an oral defense of your legal research thesis for diverse audiences.
- ULO4: Plan, prepare and execute a sophisticated legal research thesis presented in written form.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extended Honours Thesis | 70% | No | Week 13, Friday 5pm |
| An online presentation and defense of the legal research project | 30% | No | Weeks 3-6 |
Extended Honours Thesis
Assessment Type 1: Thesis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 80 hours
Due: Week 13, Friday 5pm
Weighting: 70%
Students will prepare a written thesis of no more than 15,000 words. This thesis will build on the preparation undertaken in Laws5920
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse complex legal problems by identifying, researching, evaluating and synthesising relevant factual, legal and policy issues
- Identify and apply the ethics of legal research scholarship to the execution of an extended independent legal research project
- Plan, prepare and execute a sophisticated legal research thesis presented in written form.
An online presentation and defense of the legal research project
Assessment Type 1: Viva/oral examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Weeks 3-6
Weighting: 30%
Students will prepare an online presentation of their key findings and respond to online questions about their thesis
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse complex legal problems by identifying, researching, evaluating and synthesising relevant factual, legal and policy issues
- Identify and apply the ethics of legal research scholarship to the execution of an extended independent legal research project
- Prepare and present an oral defense of your legal research thesis for diverse audiences.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
1. Technology used and required
To participate successfully in this unit, students will require access to the unit iLearn page. This will require access to secure and reliable computer facilities. Students will be required to upload all assessment tasks by way of Turnitin on the unit iLearn page.
2. Delivery mode
This course will be delivered in a semi-intensive mode. Two-hour tutorials (live or online) will run during Weeks 1-6, with no tutorials for the rest of the semester. Attendance at the other tutorials is optional but highly recommended.
The unit will use an iLearn website.
3. Tutorial times and locations
For the tutorial time and location please consult the MQ Timetables website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au.
4. Required and recommended resources
There are no prescribed textbooks for this course. All recommended readings will be available online in iLearn.
Policies and Procedures
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
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).
Student Code of Conduct
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
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
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 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.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.