Law and Justice Research Project (11272.2)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Law and Justice Research Project
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Research
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Business, Government & Law
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Canberra Law School Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
Band 5 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit provides students with the opportunity to identify a research topic and undertake research under the guidance of a supervisor. Students will produce either a written research paper on the topic or (if intending to undertake Law Honours) an Honours thesis proposal. Students will gain enhanced skills in research, writing and critical analysis.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Apply knowledge of relevant legal research principles and methods including indigenous approaches to research;
2. Use high-level research skills by investigating complex primary sources, literature, ideas and concepts and apply on own research design;
3. Apply communication skills by presenting research findings in writing and presentation using multi-media;
4. Display research rigor and drive and use organizational skills to plan and manage their study workload; and
5. Understand ethics and protocols for research related to Aboriginal & Torres Islander topics.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways


Prerequisites

Students must have passed 48 credit points including 11251 Foundations of Law and Justice.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

7019 Advanced Legal Research and Writing, 7045 Legal Research Project, 8672 Canberra Law Review

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 Research Dr Sascha Dov Bachmann
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Research Dr Sascha Dov Bachmann
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Research Dr Sascha Dov Bachmann
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Research Dr Sascha Dov Bachmann
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Materials will be provided through the class Canvas site. There is a fully updated reading list available on CANVAS.

In addition, these texts are recommended and available in the Library or for purchase online:

Terry Hutchinson, Researching and Writing in Law (Thomson Reuters, 4th ed, 2018)

Robert Watt and Francis Johns, Concise Legal Research (Federation Press, 6th ed, 2009)

Shawn Wilson, Research Is Ceremony - Indigenous Research Methods (Fernwood Publishing Co Ltd), 1st edition 2008

The following texts may also be useful (you are not expected to purchase these texts):

Michèle M Asprey, Plain Language for Lawyers (Federation Press, 4th ed, 2010)

Bruce Bott and Ruth Talbot-Stokes, Nemes and Coss' Effective Legal Research (Lexis Nexis, 6th ed, 2015)

Peter Butt and Richard Castle, Modern Legal Drafting: A Guide to Using Clearer Language (Cambridge University Press, 2nd ed, 2006)

Elmer Doonan and Charles Foster, Drafting (Cavendish Publishing Limited, 2nd ed, 2001)

Ross Hyams, Susan Campbell, and Adrian Evans, Practical Legal Skills (Oxford University Press, 4th ed, 2014)

James D Lester and James D Lester Jr, Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide (Pearson, 15th ed, 2015)

Mike McConville and Wing Hong Chui (eds), Research Methods for Law (Edinburgh University Press, 2nd ed, 2017)

Sue Milne and Kay Tucker, A Practical Guide to Legal Research (Thomson Reuters, 2nd ed, 2010)

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

If applying for an exension, please follow the instructions on the Assignment Extension Form on the Student Forms page carefully. Applications for extension must be submitted to the Unit Convenor at the earliest possible opportunity in the case of circumstances considered to be unanticipated, extenuating, and exceptional (see reasons 1-6 on page 3 of the form). For anticipated events or circumstances that have a defined time period (see reasons 7-14 on page 4 of the form), notification must be lodged no later than 5 business days before the scheduled due date of the assignment. Your application will not be processed without the required information, your signature and relevant supporting documentation. Please provide this to the Unit Convenor by email.

If there are extenuating circumstances which mean you need a deferred exam, please apply to the Unit Convenor for a deferred exam. Please refer to the Assessment Policy and the Assessment Procedures. These require documentary evidence to be provided with your application. Please provide this to the Unit Convenor by email, along with a summary of the reasons for seeking a deferred exam.
 

If you do not submit all assessment items you may receive a grade of NC (a fail result based on failure to complete one or more of the assessment requirements) for the unit.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

Expectations of students include:

  • You are responsible for managing your academic progress and working to achieve the unit learning outcomes.
  • You are expected to be familiar with information relevant to your units and course as per the information made available to you. This includes the Unit Outline, Canvas site and assignment instructions.
  • You have  a responsibility to participate actively and positively in the teaching-learning process and comply with the requirements of your course.
  • You are required to treat all University staff and fellow students with respect and courtesy at all times.

See Student Charter for more information.

Participation requirements

Must attend throughout (incl in person and online)

Required IT skills

Word processing and basic internet skills are required.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Next step

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