Students
LAWS5920 – Legal Research Project
2024 – Session 1, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Rita Matulionyte
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
LAWS5910
|
| 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 10,000 word thesis that addresses a contemporary legal problem. This unit requires advanced legal research skills, the ability to engage in self-directed research under supervision and superior legal writing ability. Students will learn 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 while conducted ethical 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: Independently undertake an advanced legal research project under the supervision of a legal academic
- ULO2: Execute a legal research methodology appropriate for the research plan
- ULO3: Identify and apply the ethics of legal research scholarship to the execution of a research project
- ULO4: Critically analyse complex legal problems by identifying, researching, evaluating and synthesising relevant factual, legal and policy issues
General Assessment Information
Information about each assessment item and the relevant rubrics are available on iLearn site.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Thesis: 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.
Viva: The above Special Consideration policy does not apply. If the student cannot conduct Viva on the prescribed date, they will have to submit a special consideration request. If the request is approved, the student will be offered another date to conduct a Viva.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis Viva | 20% | No | Week 12 |
| 10,000 word thesis | 80% | No | Week 11 |
Thesis Viva
Assessment Type 1: Viva/oral examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 20%
Students will defend their thesis in a viva.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Independently undertake an advanced legal research project under the supervision of a legal academic
- Execute a legal research methodology appropriate for the research plan
- Identify and apply the ethics of legal research scholarship to the execution of a research project
- Critically analyse complex legal problems by identifying, researching, evaluating and synthesising relevant factual, legal and policy issues
10,000 word thesis
Assessment Type 1: Thesis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 132 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 80%
Students will prepare a 10,000 word thesis under close supervision from an academic from Macquarie Law School
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Independently undertake an advanced legal research project under the supervision of a legal academic
- Execute a legal research methodology appropriate for the research plan
- Identify and apply the ethics of legal research scholarship to the execution of a research project
- Critically analyse complex legal problems by identifying, researching, evaluating and synthesising relevant factual, legal and policy issues
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
There is no prescribed textbook for this unit.
For further information about this Unit please consult the iLearn site.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
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 2024.02 of the Handbook