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LAW 7194 - Law Research Project

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

In Law Research Project, students will undertake research leading to the production of a 6,000 word research project report on a topic relating to a postgraduate law course they have completed. This course offers students the opportunity to build upon the learning undertaken in other postgraduate law courses by exploring an area of law at a higher level and in greater depth. Admission to this course will be by application.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code LAW 7194
    Course Law Research Project
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Law School
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Colette Langos

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Analyse advanced principles of law and evaluate complex legal information.
    2 Apply advanced principles of law to complex problems/issues.
    3 Structure and sustain concise and cohesive written arguments, and deliver effective oral presentations, for a professional audience.
    4 Conduct self-directed legal research and analysis at an advanced level.
    5 Critique the operation of law from ethical, policy and practical perspectives.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2,5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3,5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    5

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    5

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    4

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    This is a research project on a topic to be agreed with the co-ordinator and supervisor, therefore there are no required or recommended resources. MyUni will be used for communication and assessment. It will also contain electronic links to the course outline. Students are expected to check MyUni and their student emails regularly.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    There are no lectures and seminars for this course. The course coordinator will discuss (either face-to-face or by telephone/email/online) the course requirements, the general expectations for the course and supervision arrangements with students once
    they enrol. It is expected that the supervisor and student will initially agree a provisional timetable for submission of drafts so that the student can receive feedback from their supervisor.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students are expected to devote a total of 156 hours to the research and writing of their research proposal, presentation and research project report.
    Learning Activities Summary
    The process of writing and supervising each research project is unique. The process is incapable of being precisely regulated. Both candidate and supervisor are encouraged to enter into a dynamic academic process which maximises the efficiency of the writing and provides feedback as the student researches and completes their project.

    The supervisor’s role is facilitative and advisory. 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 project topic (although the supervisor may, and indeed generally will, offer advice in this regard). It is also not the supervisor’s role to seek out the candidate to check upon progress – the candidate should make regular contact with their supervisor and drive the process of interaction. The supervisor’s major tasks are to provide feedback upon (a) the development of the themes, arguments and structure of drafts of the project report and (b) the style and presentation of these drafts and the observance of the scholarly conventions of writing.

    The candidate’s role is to produce the project report. The candidate has primary responsibility for the progress of the project and the final decision upon any academic matter regarding the content of the research project rests with the candidate. The  responsibilities of the candidate include: making regular contact with their supervisor, selecting their project topic, undertaking research, preparing sufficient and timely drafts for critical comment by the supervisor, developing the themes, arguments and structure of the project report, avoiding plagiarism by acknowledging sources of information and argument and presenting the project report 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.

    ENTRY INTO THE COURSE -
    Candidates wishing to enrol in this course should submit to the Course Coordinator an outline of their proposed research project by the deadline advised by the Adelaide Law School. 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 research project. This will be assessed, along with the student's performance in the pre-requisite course(s), and the student’s GPA and past academic achievements, in order to determine if the student has the requisite base level of knowledge required to complete the applied research project to a high standard. The Course Coordinator will also consider whether appropriate supervision is available in the semester in which the student wishes to undertake this subject.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment item % of final mark Dates Length Individual or Group Activity? Redeemable in exam? Learning Outcomes
    Research Proposal 5% Monday of Week 6, 2pm 1,000 words Individual, summative N/A 1,2,3,4,5
    Research Presentation 10% To be confirmed - no later than Monday of the final week of semester 10 minutes, plus questions Individual, summative N/A 1,2,3,4,5
    Research Project Report 85% Last Friday of the semester teaching period, 2pm 6,000-8,000 words Individual, summative N/A 1,2,3,4,5
    Assessment Detail
    1. Research Proposal

    The purpose of the research proposal is to enable a suitable plan to be in place for the research essay being undertaken in this course, and to enable timely and effective feedback as to the structure of the work being undertaken by a student.

    The research proposal should:
    • address the specific research question(s) being investigated;
    • offer preliminary observations on the research topic and relevant resources that have been identified;
    • address any issues relating to the authorship of the research outputs anticipated from each project.

    It is intended that the feedback given on a student’s research proposal will guide the manner in which the remainder of the project is undertaken, and students should anticipate that some re-working of their research plans may be required in accordance with this feedback.

    2. Research Presentation

    Students will give a 10 minute (plus Q&A) presentation of their research at an appropriate forum to be determined in each semester the course is offered.

    3. Research Project Report

    Length of Research Project Report:

    The word limit for the research project report is strictly enforced. In presenting their report, candidates are required to incorporate a signed statement as to its length (main text and substantive footnotes are to be included in word length, while bibliography, footnotes which contain citations only, table of contents, required declarations etc are excluded).

    Style:

    Citations and footnotes should follow the practice used by the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th ed, 2018). Pages
    of the research project report should be numbered.

    Presentation:

    • The research project report must be presented in the following format.
    • 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.
    • The research project report should have incorporated in it a signed statement to the effect that to the best of the
      candidate's knowledge and belief the report contains no material previously published or written by another person except when due reference is made in the text of the report, together with an acknowledgment of any help given or work carried out by another person or organisation. There should also be included a signed statement as to the word length of the report.
    Submission
    Students should submit their Research Proposal and Research Project Report through the course MyUni site. Standard Adelaide Law School penalties for late submission and/or failure to comply with word limits will apply.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through .

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    The course is constantly being updated and revised to reflect the evolution of the law, to respond to student feedback, and to engage with the latest teaching practices. Student feedback is collected each time the course is run, including through SELT reports. Previous SELT reports, and staff feedback on them, are posted on the course MyUni site for students to view and consider.
  • Student Support
    The provides academic learning and language development services and resources for local, international, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled at the 成人大片.

    The centre offers 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.

    Lex Salus Program
    Lex Salus (law and wellbeing) is an initiative of the Adelaide Law School aimed at destigmatising mental health issues; promoting physical, mental and emotional wellness; building a strong community of staff and students; and celebrating diversity within the school. It also seeks to promote wellness within the legal profession, through the involvement of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia, the Honourable Chris Kourakis, as the official Patron of the program.

    Students can participate in the Lex Salus program by attending barbecue lunches, pancake breakfasts, knitting and crochet circles, seminars, guest speakers, conferences and other activities. Our , and regular all-student emails promote upcoming events, and have tips and information on wellness.

    Our Lex Salus YouTube channel also includes videos on topics like managing stress, and interviews with LGBTQ lawyers and their supporters which celebrate diversity and individuality. Students who commit to 10 hours of volunteering with Lex Salus in one year can have their service recognised on their academic transcript and through a thank you morning tea with the Chief Justice and law school staff.

    Student Life Counselling Support
    The University’s service provides free and confidential service to all enrolled students. We encourage you to contact the Student Life Counselling Support service on 8313 5663 to make an appointment to deal with any issues that may be affecting your study and life.
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

    Academic Integrity
    All students must be familiar with the University’s Academic Integrity Policy. Academic Misconduct is a serious matter and is treated as such by the Law School and the University. Academic Misconduct (which goes beyond plagiarism) can be a ground for a refusal by the Supreme Court of South Australia to admit a person to practice as a legal practitioner in South Australia. Academic Integrity 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.
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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