Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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
Amanda Head
Contact via iLearn
Consultation: Wednesday 12pm-1pm or by appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to LLM or MIntTrdeComLaw or MIntLawGovPP) or (Admission to JD or GradCertLaw and corequisite Laws600 or LAWS8001)
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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 introduces students to an array of concepts and research methodologies that underpin various theoretical approaches to legal scholarship, including doctrinal, comparative, interdisciplinary, empirical, and critical legal studies (CLS) approaches, as well as particular issues in human rights and international law research. The unit emphasises theoretical concerns and requirements that pertain to research objectives, research design, research methods, argumentation, writing, and critique including self-critique. The unit also explores the roles, rights and obligations of students in their own scholarship. The unit equips students to better understand the nexus among legal education, legal scholarship and legal practice; enhances their capacity to design research projects with rigorous research methodologies, to proffer good written analyses with sound argumentation, and to reflect on legal scholarship and on the law critically; and helps prepare them for a higher degree by research or for careers in legal practice, government, international organisations, and think tanks, and consultancies.
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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:
1. All assignments must be submitted by 11.59pm on the due date.
2. Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
3. All assessments in the unit are to be submitted electronically via the iLearn site for this unit. Plagiarism detection software is used in this unit.
4. Word limits will be strictly applied and work above the word limit will not be marked. Word counts for assignments will be taken solely from the tally generated automatically by TURNITIN upon submission.
5. You are required to obtain an overall mark of 50% to pass this unit - you are not required to pass each individual item of assessment.
6. Marking of all assessments is moderated through a process of blind marking and the use of detailed marking rubrics.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Active Participation | 10% | No | Annotated Bib: 3/4/2021; Active Participation: ongoing |
Referencing and research techniques | 30% | No | 30/4/2021 |
Legal Research Plan | 60% | No | 31/5/2021 |
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Annotated Bib: 3/4/2021; Active Participation: ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Students are to participate in discussion and debate in class and/or online.
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 30/4/2021
Weighting: 30%
Students will complete a timed test on referencing skills and submit a paper on research techniques
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 31/5/2021
Weighting: 60%
Students are required to submit a comprehensive legal research plan including literature review, research questions, research methodology and strategy
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
This unit is divided into six modules. It will be delivered through (a) pre-recorded lectures beginning week 1 and (b) six two-hour tutorials beginning week 2 for weekly students or a two day session for intensive students. The intensive session will be held on 12 and 13 April 2021. Attendance at the tutorials or intensive session is compulsory. Students who are unable to attend must apply for special consideration. If that application is accepted, alternative work will be set in lieu of attendance.
The convenor will be available for drop-in or zoom consultations on Wednesdays (12pm-1pm) at a place to be advised from week 2 onwards, or otherwise by appointment.
In each module, you will be expected to read background materials, watch relevant online video clips, and undertake practical exercises that are intended to build your skills in legal research and writing.
Students should have their own copy of the following prescribed text: Terry Hutchinson, Researching and Writing in Law (Thomson Reuters, 4th ed 2018)
Module 1: Legal Research - Legislation
Module 2: Legal Research - Cases
Module 3: Legal Referencing
Module 4: Developing a Legal Research Proposal
Module 5: Research Methodologies
Module 6: Legal Writing
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.
There is a slight change in the weighting of assessments.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook