Minor Thesis F/T LLM

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Successful completion of four MLM subjects with a minimum of 75 percent in each subject; at least one subject being assessed by a research paper of 8,000 words or more.

The submission of a thesis proposal. The proposal should be approximately 1,000 words in length and provide information on the proposed title; a summary of the subject of the research; proposed direction or aim of the thesis; proposed research sources and methodology; proposed schedule for research and completion.

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 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 Student Equity and Disability Support.

The minor thesis allows students to develop highly specialised expertise in a selected area of law, carrying out independent research to produce a substantial thesis that makes a distinctive contribution to knowledge and the literature in the relevant legal field. Students will develop an advanced understanding of research methods and principles, will be supervised by one of the Law School’s leading academics in their chosen field of research and, at the completion of the minor thesis, will have the satisfaction of having produced a piece or pieces of legal writing worthy of publication in a learned legal journal.

The minor thesis demonstrates a critical application of specialist knowledge and makes an independent contribution to existing scholarship in the area of research. The minor thesis should consist of:

• A major article or articles suitable for publication in a learned legal journal of a standard approved by the Law School; or
• Be an empirical study of the operation of particular legal doctrines or legislation; or
• Draft legislation with an appropriate commentary; or
• Any other type of research work approved by the law school.

A student who has successfully completed this subject will:

• Be able to demonstrate advanced learning in research skills and mastery of appropriate techniques, such as the use of archival or primary evidence, analysis of data, judgement of conflicting evidence
• Be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of their research
• Have an advanced and detailed understanding of, and commitment to research ethics and codes of practice.

• A dissertation of 20,000 – 35,000 words
  or
• Two major articles of 10,000 – 15,000 words each, suitable for publication in a learned legal journal

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.