Colloquium

Subject LAWS50065 (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:

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

Seminars.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours, 1 x 3-hour seminar per 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.
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 Gerry Simpson

Contact

Melbourne Law School Student Centre
Email: law-studentcentre@unimelb.edu.au
Tel: +61 3 8344 4475
Subject Overview: In this subject, students will think about, debate and critique the work of between 6 and 8 legal scholars placing this scholarship in its local, international or comparative context (as relevant). Each year a legal problem, theme or development will be selected which the subject coordinator, invited Faculty and guest scholars will then address in their papers presented to students.
Objectives:

The subject involves study of a problem, theme or development in the law. The subject also allows the student to engage in semi-directed research (which takes up an issue raised through the colloquium), under the supervision of the subject coordinator. The principal aims of this seminar will be:

  • To give students direct exposure to and engagement with contemporary scholarly debates;
  • To give students the opportunity for formulate their own research question, within the context of the subject;
  • To hone the students’ capacity to critically review legal scholarship;
  • To give students the opportunity to write a piece of legal research;
  • To reinforce and develop research and writing skills that students have acquired during their undergraduate degree and prior law studies.
Assessment:
  • Research essay, 5,000 words (80%);
  • Critique of work presented at Colloquium, 1,000 words (20%).
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 usage;
  • The capacity for close reading and analysis of a range of sources, particularly scholarly articles and books;
  • The capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection;
  • The capacity to critically review legal scholarship;
  • The capacity to communicate, both orally in writing;
  • The capacity to plan and manage time;
  • Intercultural sensitivity and understanding.

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.

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