成人大片

Dr Manuel Solis
Rm 418, Ligertwood Building
(08) 8313 9167
manuelpeter.solis@adelaide.edu.au

This course does not have any formal classes. While students are not required to attend structured classes it is expected that students will be in regular contact with the course coordinator during the semester in which they undertake the course, in order to discuss the course assignments, negotiate an appropriate topic for the research assignment which is the major component of the course assessment, and to monitor the ongoing progress of research in the course.

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Develop through a substantial research assignment knowledge and understanding of principles of native title law and/or other laws affecting Indigenous peoples.
2. Demonstrate the cognitive skills to analyse, evaluate, and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources and experiences so as to identify and address as appropriate legal and related issues.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.
4. Communicate scholarly ideas effectively.
5. Work independently and cooperatively in a professional environment.
6. Proficiently use a variety of legal research techniques, including modern research technologies.
7. Display a commitment to the rule of law and an understanding of social justice through the operation of law.
8. Demonstrate a commitment to the highest standards of ethical and professional behaviour.
9.Develop an understanding of social and cultural diversity, and sensitivity of the operation of the law and legal structures in that context, particualry as relevant to Indigenous peoples.

There are no required resources for this course.

Students may find the following reference texts of use:   

Sean Brennan, Megan Davis, Brendan Edgeworth and Leon Terrill (eds) Native Title from Mabo to Akiba: A Vehicle for Change and Empowerment? 2015
Paul Havemann (ed), Indigenous Peoples’ Rights 1999
Heather McRae et al, Indigenous Legal Issues Commentary and Materials 4th edition 2009
Melissa Perry and Stephen Lloyd, Australian Native Title Law 2003
Richard Bartlett, Native Title in Australia (3rd ed) 2014
Justin Healey (ed), Native Title and Land Rights 2007
David Ritter, Contesting Native Title 2009
Lisa Strelein, Compromised Jurisprudence - Native Title Cases Since Mabo (2nd ed) 2009
Lisa Strelein (ed) Dialogue about Land Justice: Papers from the National Native Title Conferences 2010
Jessica Weir (ed), Country, Native Title and Ecology 2012 available at 
Toni Bauman and Lydia Glick (eds) The Limits of Change: Mabo and Native Title 20 Years On 2012

There are also a number of websites which provide useful information.  You may wish to consider:

Australian Federal Government Attorney General: Provides information on Native title, claims & negotions, reform and other related information

National Native Title Tribunal: a Federal Government organisation which assists people to resolve native title issues. Includes full text of their newsletters, Talking Native Title and Native Title Hot Spots

Native Title Research Unit: AIATSIS

Course materials and assignment instructions will be made available on MyUni.

All students are expected to check MyUni regularly to keep up to date with announcements during the semester.

This course is run in an unusual format. Student will undertake a full time internship (4-6 weeks) over the summer or winter holiday period. These internships are usually organised by the Aurora Project, and will be with a Native Title Representative Body (NTRBs), Native Title Service Provider (NTSPs) or Indigenous policy or other organisation. Beginning, during and following after that internship students will complete a number of assessment tasks associated with this elective course.

More information about the Aurora Project Native Title Internships can be found at  

In addition to the completion of an Aurora Project internship, students undertaking this course will be required to submit 3 pieces of written work.

While there are no formal classes, students should expect to dedicate an average of 12 hours a week to completing the requirements of this course.

There are no scheduled learning activities for this course. Instead, each student will be involved in regular one-on-one discussions with the course-coordinator during the semester regarding their individual research projects.

Successful completion of an Aurora Project Native Title internship is a pre-requisite to passing this course.

During this course very students will work one-on-one with the course supervisor. During the course of their meetings they will:
- discuss the course requirements and assessments
- develop an approved topic for the major research assignment
- engage in supervision of ongoing research.
Through these meetings and discussions, and the development and progress of an original research project, each student will engage in a small group research discovery experience.

Assessment item	% of final mark	Due dates	Redeemable	Learning Outcomes
Completion of Aurora Project Internship	Pass/fail	N/A	No	1-9
Work Diary	15%	2.00pm Thursday 11 August	No	1-9
Research proposal	15%	2.00pm Thursday 25 August	No	1-9
Research essay	70%	2.00pm Thursday 3 November	No	1-9

Students must successfully complete a full time Aurora Project Native title Internship of between 4 and 6 weeks in duration (or a part-time internship of a longer duration, usually organised by the Aurora Project and approved by the Course Coordinator). Failure to successfully complete an internship will result in failing the course.

Work diary (15%)

A work diary which identifies and analyses how the internship has helped develop student’s legal skills, the legal texts and instruments that were relevant to the student’s practice during the internship, the in/efficiency of the legal process with which the student observed or interacted with, and any particular cultural or communication elements which impact on the work of the particular organisation with which the student worked. More detailed instructions on the assessment task will be provided on MyUni.

Due Date: 2.00 pm on Thursday 11 August

Research proposal (15%)

A proposal for the 5000 word research essay. The proposal should be no more than 3 pages long, and should include a discussion of the research topic, a preliminary list of research resources, including a description (annotated bibliography) of at least 3 relevant articles, cases or books. The proposal should also include a reflection on the likely research methodology to be employed in the research task.

The essay proposal submitted will be marked for a total of 15% of the student’s grade. Essay proposals will also be separately considered by the course coordinator for approval as the topic which will form the basis of the major research essay component of the assessment. It is student’s responsibility to develop an acceptable research topic. This may require reworking of the submitted essay proposal. Students are encouraged to consider potential research topics and to discuss these topics with the course coordinator (in person, by telephone discussion or via email communication) early in the course, so as to avoid problems later. Students must be aware that not all proposed topics will be approved.

More detailed instructions on the assessment task will be provided on MyUni.

Due Date: 2.00 pm Thursday 25 August

Research essay (70%)

A research essay on a topic agreed with the course coordinator. The topic must receive approval by email no later than 30 September. The research essay will be no more that 5,000 words long (excluding title page information and bibliography). Words are calculated including all footnotes or other references and all headings within the text. Quotations and all referencing information are included in the word count.

Because research topics will usually have been discussed with individual students before approval, in practice this will not be an anonymous assessment.

More detailed instructions on the assessment task will be provided on MyUni.

Due Date: 2.00 pm on Thursday 3 November

1. Students must retain a copy of all assignments submitted.
2. Late submission penalty – Submission penalties of 5% of the total mark possible will be deducted for every 24 hours or part thereof that it is late, including each day on a weekend. For example, an essay that is submitted after the due date and time but within the first 24 hour period, and that has been graded at 63%, will have 5% deducted, for a final grade of 58%. An essay that is more than 24 hours late will lose 10%, etc. Hard copy submissions made after 5.00pm on a Friday will be assumed to have been submitted on the next business day and will be penalised 5% per day for every day including weekend days and public holidays. Extensions on medical or compassionate grounds will be in accordance with University Policy.
3. Word length penalty - assignments which exceed the allocated length will be subject to a penalty of 5% of total marks available per 100 words or part thereof (ie an essay graded 63% will have 5% deducted if it is 5001 words long, for a final grade of 58%, 10% if it is 5101 words long, etc). Words are calculated including all footnotes and headings within the text but excluding cover page information. Quotations and all referencing information are included in the word count.
4. Assignments will be required to be submitted electronically. Instructions for submisison will be provided with the assignment.
5. All written work in the Law school is required to comply with the approved Law School style guide, The Australian Guide to Legal Citation.
6. The quality of English expression is considered to be an integral part of the assessment process. Marks may be deducted from assessment because of poor expression, incorrect grammar, typographical errors etc.
7. Assessment marks awarded prior to the final results will be displayed on the course website. Students are encouraged to check their marks and notify the course coordinator of any discrepancies.
   
   Assignments will be returned to students within 3 weeks of the due date with written feedback.

Courses for which a result of conceded pass has been obtained may not be presented towards the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Laws or the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Laws programs, or any postgraduate law program, nor to satisfy prerequisite requirements within any law course.

As a result of feedback received in previous years, the length of the major research assignment has been increased to 5000 words. The timing for negotiation of the major research project topic has also been amended, to facilitate sufficient time to complete the required research and avoid the examinatiosn period.

In order to avoid duplication of student work, and to assist in promoting the Aurora Project, minor changes have also been made to the first assessment (the work diary).

The University Writing Centre provides academic learning and language development services and resources for local, international, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled at the 成人大片.

Practical advice and strategies for students to master reading, writing, note-taking, time management, oral presentation skills, referencing techniques and exam preparation for success at university through seminars, workshops and individual consultations.

For more information please check out the Writing Centre website at  

Lex Salus Program

Lex Salus was founded in 2013 by Adelaide Law School Wellbeing officers Ms Corinne Walding, Ms Kellie Toole and Dr Mark Giancaspro. Lex Salus is an initiative of the Adelaide Law School aimed at raising law student awareness of the importance of mental, physical and nutritional health across all year levels of the degree, and of the various counselling, disability and equity services both within and outside the University that can provide help. Research shows that law students, both in Australia and in many jurisdictions around the world, experience the highest levels of stress, anxiety and depression out of any other discipline. Many do not get enough sleep, maintain a healthy diet or achieve a realistic work/life balance. Making matters worse, they are unwilling or afraid to speak up for fear of feeling 'weak' or because of the negative stigma that attaches to seeking help. Lex Salus is dedicated to tackling these problems head-on.

Counselling Service

The University Counselling Service provides a free and confidential service to all enrolled students. We encourage you to contact the Counselling service on 8313 5663 to make an appointment to deal with any issues that may be affecting your study and life. More information is available at /counselling_centre/. 

Further information regarding the Law School Policies and Procedures in relation to Supplementary Assessment, Extensions, and Remarks etc can be found at:

Plagiarism and other forms of cheating

Plagiarism is a serious act of academic misconduct. All students must be familiar with the Adelaide Law School Enrolment Guide, and should note in particular the sections relating to plagiarism, grievance procedures and academic conduct within the Law School and the University.

Plagiarism is a serious matter and is treated as such by the Law School and the University. Please be aware that “academic dishonesty” (which goes beyond plagiarism) can be a ground for a refusal by the Supreme Court of South Australia to refuse to admit a person to practice as a legal practitioner in South Australia.

Academic honesty is an essential aspect of ethical and honest behaviour, which is central to the practice of the law and an understanding of what it is to be a lawyer.