Legal Research

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

LAWS50023 Legal Method and Reasoning; LAWS50024 Principles of Public Law; LAWS50025 Torts; LAWS50026 Obligations; LAWS50027 Dispute Resolution; LAWS50028 Constitutional Law; LAWS50029 Contracts; LAWS50030 Property; LAWS50031 Legal Theory; LAWS50032 Administrative Law; LAWS50033 Trusts; LAWS50034 Criminal Law and Procedure.

The Melbourne Law School welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Law School policy to take all reasonable steps to enable the participation of students with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the School’s programs.

The inherent academic requirements for the study in the Melbourne Law School are:

1. The ability to attend classes and actively engage in the analysis of complex materials and debate;
2. The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
3. The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
4. The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
5. The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
6. The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/.

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.

• Class or project participation evidenced by presentation (accompanied by written précis), undertaking the editorship of an MLS journal or supervised project activity (hurdle);
• 8,000-word written research work project or equivalent (100%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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.