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The course has no designated classes. Students hold individual discussions with the Dissertation Co-ordinator when developing their research proposal, and thereafter will meet and communicate to discuss the work with their allocated supervisor.

There will be no MyUni course page, given the individual nature of the topics. However, students should expect communication through student email.

There are no scheduled learning activities. It is expected that the supervisor and student will initially agree a provisional timetable for submission of drafts.

APPROVAL OF TOPIC - Candidates wishing to enrol in the dissertation should submit to the Course-Coordinator an outline of their proposed dissertation. The outline should be about one to two A4 pages in length and provide a brief synopsis of the scope and purpose of the proposed dissertation. Upon approval of the topic a supervisor will be appointed. Once this process has occurred and it is established when the dissertation will be submitted enrolment can occur.

Please note that a proposed topic can only be approved if appropriate supervision is available.

The process of writing and supervising each dissertation is unique. The process is incapable of being precisely regulated. However, for the removal of uncertainty, it is appropriate that the relationship of candidate and supervisor should be governed by a statement of the minimum expectations and responsibilities of each party in academic terms. Both candidate and supervisor are encouraged to enter into a dynamic academic process which maximises contact for critical discussion and pastoral concern.

The Supervisor

The supervisor’s role is facilitative and advisory. The supervisor must recognise that the candidate is involved in a process, namely the writing of an extensive piece of legal research of which the candidate has little or no previous experience. Accordingly, it is the supervisor’s role to respond to the candidate’s requests for reasonable assistance and to provide an encouraging environment for the critical evaluation of the candidate’s progress. But the supervisor’s role is facilitative and advisory only. In particular, it is not the supervisor’s role to provide the candidate with a dissertation topic (although the supervisor may, and indeed generally will, offer advice in this regard). While it is not the supervisor’s role to seek out the candidate to check upon progress, it is advisable for supervisors to email a candidate who fails to attend their regularly scheduled meeting. If there is no response within a reasonable time the Course-Coordinator should be notified.

The particular responsibilities of the supervisor are:

1. upon being informed of the identity of his/her candidate, to be available to meet the candidate as soon as possible and in any event not later than two weeks from the advice being given.
2. at this initial meeting or soon thereafter, to inform the candidate:
   • as to the existence of these guidelines and to discuss the same so that respective rules are fully understood and a method of proceeding may be established;
   • as to the supervisor’s areas of legal expertise so that the candidate may make an informed choice as to how far any dissertation topic selected may fall within the content of that expertise.
3. at this initial meeting or soon thereafter, to comment critically upon the candidate’s selection of a dissertation topic leading to the supervisor’s approval thereof, in the light of any supervision, research, structural or presentation difficulties which in the supervisor’s opinion may emerge.
4. to be available to meet the candidate for a substantial discussion at least once a fortnight and to invite the candidate to discuss the regularity and need for meetings.
5. to assist the candidate in making contact with outside agencies which may further the candidate’s research or to obtain research materials.
6. to advise the candidate that the presentation of timely and sufficient drafts of the dissertation may enable problems to be detected at an early stage.
7. to comment promptly and critically, whether orally or in writing, upon (a) the development of the themes, arguments and structure of drafts of the dissertation and (b) the style and presentation of these drafts and the observance of the scholarly conventions of writing.
8. to comment promptly and critically in the same manner upon the final draft.

The Candidate

The candidate’s role is to produce the dissertation. The candidate has primary responsibility for the progress of the dissertation and the final decision upon any academic matter regarding the content of the dissertation rests with the candidate. To this end, the particular responsibilities of the candidate are:

1. upon being informed of the identity of his/her supervisor, to make contact with the supervisor as soon as possible and in any event no later than two weeks from the being informed of the allocation of a supervisor.
2. at this initial meeting or soon thereafter, to select his/her dissertation topic and to inform his/her supervisor of that topic for critical comment leading to approval thereof. Any significant variation of the topic after approval must be likewise discussed with the supervisor and approved by the Associate Dean (Research).
3. to make contact with the supervisor to arrange meetings.
4. to conduct research on the topic.
5. to discuss the need for drafts of the dissertation with the supervisor and to prepare sufficient and timely drafts for critical comment.
6. to develop the themes, arguments and structure of the dissertation and to avoid plagiarism by acknowledging sources of information and argument and to present the dissertation in a readable style observing the scholarly conventions of writing. It is anticipated that the candidate will demonstrate an ability to carry out independent research, and to analyse and assess the material produced by that research and to express clearly and effectively the conclusions to be drawn from that analysis and assessment.
7. to inform the supervisor of all significant matters affecting the progress of the dissertation and to discuss the academic impact of the same.
8. to prepare a final draft of the dissertation for critical comment not less than fourteen days before the due date of submission or any extension granted.
9. to prepare the final draft for submission and assessment by the appointed examiner.

Note:

These guidelines govern the relationship of candidate and supervisor only. In any case of difficulty or disagreement, candidates and supervisors are encouraged to discuss matters with the Course-Coordinator. In the event of the need for a change of supervisor during the production of the dissertation, the Course-Coordinator will arrange such meetings as are necessary to ensure a smooth transition between supervisors and candidate.

The only assessment component in this course is the written dissertation. After submission, the dissertation will be marked by an examiner appointed for this task. The supervisor is not involved in the examination of the dissertation.

This aspect of the assessment will provide students with feedback regarding their research, written communication and critical thinking skills.

Length of Dissertation

The maximum word limit for the dissertation is between 12,000 and 15,000 words (including footnotes).

The word limit for the dissertation is strictly enforced. In presenting their dissertation candidates are required to incorporate a signed statement as to the length of their dissertation (main text and footnotes are to be included in word length, while bibliography, case list, list of contents, required declarations etc are excluded).

If a candidate fails to conform to the word limit they will be penalised in line with the Law Postgraduate Assessment Policy.

Style

Citations and footnotes should follow the practice used by the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. A copy of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation is available from the reserve desk in the Law library. It is also available on the web at  or can be purchased from Unibooks at relatively small cost.

Candidates should note that the Australian Guide to Legal Citation does not cover bibliographies. When compiling a bibliography the publisher’s name and the place of publication should be included in relation to books.

If a candidate’s dissertation does not conform to the style set out in these guidelines the candidate will be required to rewrite and resubmit in the style designated in these guidelines.

Presentation

The dissertation must be presented in the following format:

The dissertation must be written in prose style (using complete sentences), adhere to grammatical rules and use correct spelling. It should be printed on A4 paper on one side only. The margin on the right hand side of the page should be approximately 2.5cm. The margin on the left hand side of the page should be wider, at least 3cm, to allow for binding.

• Any one of the following fonts is acceptable:
  • Times, Times New Roman, or Palatino.
• The font size for the main text must be at least 12 pt.
• The font size for footnotes must be at least 10pt.
• The main body of the text should be double spaced.
• For general rules relating to line spacing for quotations follow the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.
• Footnotes may be single spaced.
• Pages should be numbered.
• The dissertation should include a table of contents and a bibliography.

The dissertation should have incorporated in it a signed statement to the effect that to the best of the candidate's knowledge and belief the dissertation contains no material previously published or written by another person except when due reference is made in the text of the dissertation, together with an acknowledgment of any help given or work carried out by another person or organisation (see policy on plagiarism below). There should also be included a signed statement as to the word length of the dissertation (see 7.2 above).

Due Date

Unless permission is given by the Course-Coordinator, dissertations must be completed, typed, bound and submitted by the due date. Candidates should ensure that adequate time is allowed for printing, editing, proof-reading and binding. Enrolment should occur only when a dissertation will be submitted within that semester.

Extensions

Submissions to the Course-Coordinator for an extension of time will be considered for exceptional or unforeseen personal or medical circumstances.

Submission of Dissertation

An original signed copy of the dissertation in bound form, together with two copies in loose-leaf, should be submitted by the due date to the Front Office, Law School, Ligertwood Building. These copies will be retained by the School of Law – one in the Law Library, and one by the supervisor.

Binding

A binding service is available through the General Office of the Law School. The cost is $5 per copy. If a candidate wishes to take advantage of this service their completed dissertation must be submitted to the Postgraduate Administrator 3 days prior to the submission date and at that time the candidate must make payment for this service.

Cataloguing

All dissertations are catalogued by the Barr Smith Library and may be difficult to access for about two months while processing takes place.