Legal Research

Subject LAWS50039 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 5 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Summer Term, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Seminars.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Between 1 and four hours a week.
Total Time Commitment: 144 hours.
Prerequisites:

733-510 Legal Method and Reasoning; 733-511 Principles of Public Law; 733-512 Torts; 733-513 Obligations; 733-514 Dispute Resolution; 733-515 Constitutional Law; 733-516 Contracts; 733-517 Property; 733-518 Legal Theory; 733-521 Administrative Law; 733-523 Criminal Law and Procedure; 733-522 Trusts.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None.
Non Allowed Subjects: None.
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills, and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to providing support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/.

Coordinator

Prof Jennifer Morgan

Contact

Melbourne Law School Student Centre
Email: law-studentcentre@unimelb.edu.au
Tel: +61 3 8344 4475
Subject Overview: This subject is a core element of the JD degree. It provides students in their final year with a capstone supervised research or knowledge transfer experience. It does so through supervised research seminars or structured projects, offered in a small group setting. Students will have the opportunity to work closely with a member of the academic staff in pursuing a particular research or knowledge transfer interest. In each semester, a range of seminars and projects will be offered. Some may have special entry requirements and enrolment limits. Each seminar or project will include a research skills component and seminar or project-based supervision on a substantive legal issue.
Objectives:

The subject involves study of a selected area of law at an advanced level; the subject allows the student to engage in self-directed research, under the supervision of a member of staff with expertise in the student’s field of inquiry, and/or the methodology they have chosen to use. The principal aims of this seminar will be:

  • To give students the opportunity for formulate their own research question· to give students the opportunity to produce a substantial piece of legal research, with a view to publication;
  • To refresh, reinforce and develop to an advanced level research and writing skills that students have acquired during their undergraduate degree and law studies;
  • To give upper year students and faculty the opportunity to experience a small enrolment, discussion-based seminar or staff supervision of a project.
Assessment:
  • Class or project participation evidenced by presentation (accompanied by written précis), undertaking the editorship of an MLS journal or supervised project activity (10%) (hurdle);
  • 8,000-word written research work product or equivalent (90%) (hurdle).
Prescribed Texts: None.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of the subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

  • Attitudes towards knowledge that include valuing truth, openness to new ideas and ethics associated with knowledge creation and truth;
  • Capacity for close reading and analysis of a range of sources;
  • Capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection;
  • Capacity to solve problems, including the collection and valuation of information;
  • Capacity to plan and manage time;
  • Capacity to engage in interdisciplinary research;
  • Capacity to communicate the results of that research, clearly and persuasively.

In addition, a range of law specific skills will have been reinforced including:

  • An understanding of law’s relationship with other disciplines;
  • A capacity to engage in high level legal analysis and writing.
Related Course(s): Juris Doctor

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