Research Thesis PG (11447.1)

Please note these are the 2024 details for this unit
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Research Thesis PG
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Flexible
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.25 6 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)
Students will conduct research under the guidance of an academic supervisor and produce a thesis of 10,000-12,000 words.

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. Research, critically evaluate and synthesise complex legal literature, concepts and ideas;
3. Build and support a sustained argument, with a view to contributing to new dimensions of knowledge; and
4. Communicate research findings professionally.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
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 - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas


Prerequisites

This unit is only available to students in the Juris Doctor and Master of Laws 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

6642 Masters of Laws Dissertation

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2025 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
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 29 July 2024 Flexible Dr Jenny Fu
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Flexible 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

Required Texts: 

Terry Hutchinson, Research and Writing in Law (Lawbook, 4th ed, 2018)

The Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 4th ed (AGLC4)

You may also find the following useful: 

James Lester, Writing Research Papers: a Complete Guide (Pearson, 15th ed, 2014)

Michael Salter and Julie Mason, Writing Law Dissertations: An Introduction and Guide to the Conduct of Legal Research (Longman Publishing Group, 2013)

University of Canberra subscribed law databases which can be accessed through the Library website

Participation requirements

This unit has no lectures or tutorials, but students will be expected to regularly meet and consult with their supervisors, 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 assumed to have basic IT skills such as word processing, familiarity with the Internet sufficient to use e-mail, and access unit information and research databases.

Work placement, internships or practicums

The unit does not involve work placement, internship or practicum.
However, this unit provides students with the opportunity to develop a research thesis on a topic of their 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.

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