Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Daley Birkett
Contact via iLearn
Monday 5pm-6pm (Zoom only)
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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:
Students should be aware of and apply the University policy on academic honesty.
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.
No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments - e.g. quizzes, online tests.
All assessments are submitted electronically. Turnitin plagiarism detection software is used to check all written assessments.
Students should carefully check that they submit the correct file for an assessment as no re-submissions will be accepted after the due date and time, including instances where students upload an incorrect file in error.
Word limits are strictly applied. Work above the word limit will not be marked. Footnotes are to be used only for referencing. Referencing must conform to the requirements set out in the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.
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 | Ongoing (to 23:59 3/6/2022) |
Referencing and research techniques | 30% | No | Research Skills: 17:00 29/4/22; AGLC4: 17:00 3/5/22 |
Legal Research Plan | 60% | No | Bibliography: 23:59 1/4/22; Research Plan: 23:59 30/5/22 |
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Ongoing (to 23:59 3/6/2022)
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: Research Skills: 17:00 29/4/22; AGLC4: 17:00 3/5/22
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: Bibliography: 23:59 1/4/22; Research Plan: 23:59 30/5/22
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 in weeks 2 to 7 inclusive for weekly students or a two-day session for intensive students. 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.
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). It is available online. Additional readings will be available via iLearn and the unit reading list maintained by the library.
Students require access to a computer and a secure and reliable server. All unit requirements and the teaching and reading schedule are outlined in iLearn.
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
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
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.
Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook