Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Amanda Head
Contact via Via iLearn
Convenor
Mareike Riedel
Contact via Via iLearn
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to LLB
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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 will enable students to attain the key legal skills (legal research, reasoning, and writing; applying precedent; statutory interpretation; and legal problem solving) and to acquire the foundational legal knowledge (Australia legal institutions; legal theory; comparative legal systems; parliamentary process; role of the judiciary) necessary for further 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:
All written assessment tasks must be appropriately referenced, applying the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th ed). Written submissions must be submitted via Turnitin in Microsoft Word format. Further instructions and marking rubrics for assessments in the Unit will be provided on the unit's iLearn page.
Students are advised that all assessments in this unit are 'hurdle' assessments, which means that each assessment task must be completed at a Satisfactory level (to the standard prescribed for each assessment task) in order to pass this unit as follows:
In accordance with the University Assessment Policy, students must make a "serious first attempt" at a hurdle assessment task in order to qualify for an opportunity to submit supplementary work to achieve the required standard. Their performance in the unit must also be "otherwise satisfactory". Further instructions on what constitutes a "serious first attempt" and deadlines for supplementary work will be available on the unit's iLearn page.
This unit is ungraded and will not count towards a student's LAWS WAM (Weighted Average Mark in LAWS units). Students will be awarded 'Satisfactory' or 'Fail' at the end of the unit.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty:
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted an 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. A Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Class participation | 20% | Yes | Ongoing |
Core Skills Assignment | 40% | Yes | 3 April 2024 at 11:55pm |
Group Project | 40% | Yes | 19 May 2024 at 11:55pm |
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Students will participate in weekly tutorials that will provide the opportunity to participate in set activities, including class and group discussion, debates, role plays and other activities.
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 3 April 2024 at 11:55pm
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
A written assessment in which students will analyse and interpret primary legal sources.
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 19 May 2024 at 11:55pm
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Consists of a group report and group class presentation in which students aim to apply statutory interpretation skills to address a legal problem.
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
Lectures for this unit are delivered face-to-face and will be recorded on Echo360, which can be accessed via the unit iLearn page.
Tutorials will be conducted face-to-face and commence in Week 1 and conclude in Week 13. Students should consult the official Timetable for class times, dates and locations and mode of delivery at a specified time at: http://timetables.mq.edu.au Tutorials that fall on a public holiday will be rescheduled as online evening tutorials (via Zoom).
Online content for this unit can be accessed at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Required Textbook:
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.
Topics Covered | |
Introduction to Foundations | |
Foundations of Australian Law & Sources of Law: Common Law, Equity, and Statute Law |
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Legal Institutions | |
Solving Legal Problems | |
Case Law and Case Analysis | |
Judicial Reasoning and the Doctrine of Precendent | |
First Nations People and the Australian Legal System I | |
Statutory Interpretation I | |
Statutory Interpretation II | |
Statutory Interpretation III | |
Separation of Powers and Judicial Philosophies | |
First Nations People and the Australian Legal System II |
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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.01 of the Handbook