Students

LAWS5930 – Legal Research Project Part B

2022 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Rita Matulionyte
rita.matulionyte@mq.edu.au
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.

General Assessment Information

Late assessment submission policy

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
An online presentation and defense of the legal research project 30% No Week 11-12
Extended Honours Thesis 70% No Week 13

An online presentation and defense of the legal research project

Assessment Type 1: Viva/oral examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 11-12
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.

Extended Honours Thesis

Assessment Type 1: Thesis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 80 hours
Due: Week 13
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.

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 2, 6, 11 and 12, with no tutorials on other weeks.  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://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.

Student Code of Conduct

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

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

Academic Integrity

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.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

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. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook