Independent Legal Research (LAWS90200)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2024
About this subject
Overview
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This subject provides Melbourne Law Masters students with a unique opportunity to undertake a substantial and independent piece of legal research and writing under the close guidance of an appropriately qualified academic supervisor. The student will meet on a regular basis with their supervisor to develop a research proposal on a topic of their choosing within the supervisor’s specialist area. Further meetings will allow for discussion and provision of feedback on material prepared by the student. The supervisor may also host online discussion boards and/or Zoom meetings with students in the specialist area.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject should have developed:
- an advanced level of understanding of the skills required to produce high-quality legal research.
- a capacity to reflect upon and engage with feedback from an academic supervisor.
- sophisticated interpretation and integration of relevant material from a full range of primary and secondary sources.
- critical analysis and argument that demonstrates substantial originality, creativity and insight into the research subject area.
- sophisticated, appropriate, effective and persuasive written communication skills, demonstrated in developing, structuring, editing, presenting and referencing relevant analysis, argument and conclusions on the research project, in a format appropriate for publication.
- creativity and originality in identifying, framing and developing their own sophisticated and relevant research question.
- a high level of personal autonomy and accountability in developing and executing the substantial research project.
- a rigorous and effective methodological approach to planning, researching and executing a substantial and innovative research-based project.
- a deep and integrated knowledge and understanding of the research project area including its connection with its broader contexts.
Generic skills
On completion of the subject, students should have demonstrated the following skills:
- Ability to undertake advanced legal research and writing;
- Ability to develop and frame a sophisticated legal research question;
- Ability to employ complex research methodologies well-suited to answering the research question;
- Ability to identify and critically analyse a diverse range of pertinent and complex materials;
- Capacity for advanced critical and independent thought and reflection; and
- Capacity to communicate the research results clearly, comprehensively and persuasively.
Last updated: 8 November 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Successful completion (or pending completion) of at least 2 subjects in the MLM; or
Evidence that the student can undertake a substantial independent piece of legal research (for example, successful completion of research assessment in MLM or prior studies).
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 8 November 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Completion of a topic proposal in the specified form to the satisfaction of the academic supervisor. Hurdle requirement: The student will confirm with their supervisor the appropriate time frame from the beginning of the study period for the topic proposal to be due. | Early in the teaching period | N/A |
Research paper
| 6 Weeks after the end of teaching | 100% |
Last updated: 8 November 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2024
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 8 November 2024
Further information
- Texts
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 8 November 2024