Advanced Legal Research Combined

Subject LAWS40085 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

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

Guided Research.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Students should keep in regular contact with their supervisors. Students are required to attend one class on research techniques and methods or undertake an equivalent research and writing task.
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours.
Prerequisites:

Legal Method and Reasoning; Principles of Public Law; Torts; Legal Theory; or in each case their equivalents.

Requires approval of ALR coordinator.
Requires approval of the subject coordinator of the combined subject.
Corequisites: Must be taken in conjunction with another law subject assessable by research essay.
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

Mr Glenn Patmore

Contact

Melbourne Law School Student Centre
Email: law-studentcentre@unimelb.edu.au
Tel: +61 3 8344 4475
Subject Overview:

The subject entails study of a selected area of law at an advanced level. The subject allows the student to combine another subject assessable by research essay with self-directed research in the same field, subject to the supervision of a member of staff with expertise in the student's field of inquiry. This allows the student both to attend classes in the area and to deepen their knowledge through engagement in an extended research project.
Objectives: To allow students to develop and complete an independent research project of substantial length (10,000) by combining this subject with another subject assessable by 5,000 word research essay. Such a project allows the development of substantive knowledge, confidence with research methodologies and wider writing and research skills.
Assessment:
  • 5,000 word research assignment;
  • As a hurdle requirement to successfully complete the subject students are required to attend one class on research techniques and methods or undertake an equivalent research and writing task.
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:

  • The capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection the capacity to communicate in writing;
  • The ability to develop a research project;
  • The capacity to plan and manage time;
  • Attitudes towards knowledge that include valuing truth, openness to new ideas and ethics associated with knowledge creation and usage;
  • Legal research skills, including an ability to:

    - Find primary historical sources relevant to their topic;
    - Find secondary sources relevant to their topic;
    - Identify the most relevant and up-to-date primary and secondary sources and justify the research process
  • Legal writing skills, including an ability to:

    - Use primary sources as part of legal analysis;
    - Use secondary sources as part of legal analysis;
    - Analyse legal principles;
    - Use proper referencing and citation;
    - Present an appropriately structured and supported complex legal argument.
Notes:

The essay in this subject is regarded a substantial piece of legal writing for honours purposes.

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