Legal Research Project PG (11446.1)

Please note these are the 2024 details for this unit
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Legal Research Project PG
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Research
 UC - Canberra, Bruce
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Business, Government & Law
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Canberra Law School Post Graduate Level 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 engage in an independent research project of their choice. Students will identify a research topic and undertake research under the guidance of a supervisor. Students will produce a written research paper on the topic and enhance their skills in legal research, writing and critical analysis.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Plan and execute a substantial legal research project under supervision;
2. Investigate, critically evaluate and synthesise complex literature, concepts and ideas related to the research topic; and
3. Generate responses to legal or legal policy issues and communicate these through a written research paper.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
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 - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
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
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 - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

This unit is only available to students in the Juris Doctor, Masters of Laws or Masters of Legal Studies courses.

Students must have passed 11431 Foundations of Law and Justice G AND 11445 Legal Research and Writing Skills PG or equivalent.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

6640 Legal Research Reading PG

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2024 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
2023 UC - Canberra, Bruce Semester 2 31 July 2023 Research Dr Jenny Fu
2024 UC - Canberra, Bruce Semester 2 29 July 2024 Research Dr Jenny Fu
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

Terry Hutchinson, Research and Writing in Law (Lawbook, 4th ed, 2018)
James Lester, Writing Research Papers: a Complete Guide (Pearson, 15th ed, 2014)

The Australian Guide to Legal Citation 4th edition.

 

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

All assessment items in this unit are required to be submitted by their due dates through Canvas. 

If for any reason you are unable to complete an assignment by the due date, you must submit to your supervisor AND the unit convenor an Assignment extension form before the due date setting out in detail the genuine and exceptional reason for requesting the extension. If there is a medical or counselling reason for the extension request, it must be accompanied by a medical or counselling certificate which clearly states:

  • that you were unfit to complete the assignment;
  • the date of the medical or counselling consultation; and
  • the period for which you were / are / will be unfit to complete the assignment.

Supplementary assessment

Given the specific nature of this research unit and the students' freedom in choosing their research topic, supplementary assessment is not available.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Participation requirements

This unit has no lectures or tutorials, but students will be expected to regularly meet and consult with their supervisor, and report to the unit convenor on the progress of their work.

In addition, there is a timetable in conjunction with tasks and required actions towards the assessments, which needs to be adhered to.

Required IT skills

Students are expected to possess general computer skills sufficient to undertake electronic research and to draft a scholarly paper, as well as to use Canvas to submit all work for assessment.

Work placement, internships or practicums

The unit does not involve work placement, internship or practicum.

However, this is a practice-oriented academic unit providing students with the opportunity to develop a research project on a topic of high interest using research and writing skills that are vital in the legal profession. Self-discipline and time management are necessary skills to conduct individual work throughout the semester.

Additional information

Where required, further details of items mentioned in this unit outline will be provided via the Canvas site for this unit.
Learning in this unit is supported by Canvas. Please refer to the unit's Canvas site for resources on relevant legal research and writing skills.
Notices given via Canvas will be deemed to be given to all students enrolled in this unit. 
Students may communicate with other students via a Canvas forum, but only for reasonable purposes related to enrolment in this unit.

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