International Legal Internship

This subject is not offered in 2014.

• Successful completion of at least four subjects from the Melbourne Law Masters, at least two of which must have involved writing a 10,000 word research paper
• A subject coordinator and the potential academic supervisor of the student’s research paper must approve the institution or organisation at which the student intends to undertake the internship.

Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.

The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:

• The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis and critique of complex materials and debate;
• The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and to critically evaluate these;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
• The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
• The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

International Legal Internship allows students to gain credit for undertaking advanced legal research and analysis on an approved international internship of at least 10 weeks of full-time work in an approved international institution or organisation. The subject is focused on providing students with an opportunity to engage with legal and policy issues in contemporary society through work experience and further develop oral and written communication skills. Students are required to secure and fund their internships personally.

Students are encouraged to discuss their internship proposals with the subject coordinators. Students who successfully enrol in International Legal Internship must arrange a meeting with at least one of the subject coordinators both prior to their internship and upon completion of their internship so as to develop a better understanding of research and the role of international institutions in international law and relations.

A student who has successfully completed the internship should:

• Have detailed knowledge of the institution or organisation where they have undertaken their internship
• Have a detailed knowledge of at least one major legal issue facing the institution or organisation where they have undertaken their internship
• Understand some of the legal, policy, political and organisational/institutional factors that influence the institution or organisation where they have undertaken their internship.

10,000 word research paper (100%) on a topic approved by the academic supervisor. The research paper must be submitted three months after the completion of the internship, on a date to be confirmed with the academic supervisor.

Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Details regarding any prescribed texts will be provided prior to the commencement of the subject.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.