The course will be taught jointly by a visiting ANU academic and an academic from the University of Alabama Law School. (While the specific subject area of the course will vary from year to year, depending on the particular field of interest of the ANU/UA visitors, it will involve a comparative study of Australian and US approaches to the particular subject matter. Assessment details, teaching methods and type of course materials will vary from year to year depending on the subject matter and personnel involved in each offering of the course, but will be specified prior to student enrolment in the course).

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. In relation to a selected topic, identify and critically analyse the similarities and differences between Australian and US law.
2. Identify, and use a variety of legal research sources in both the US and Australian jurisdictions to research a comparative legal issue or question.
3. Design, plan and execute a substantial legal research project or essay, with intellectual independence.
4. Apply appropriate legal citation conventions in the course of legal writing.
5. Discuss and critically debate knowledge and ideas effectively in a cross-cultural context.
6. Identify and appraise different comparative law methodologies that could be applied to compare and evaluate aspects of US and Australian law.

Research-Led Teaching

For a list of relevant projects, see Associate Professor Roberts' research page: https://researchers.anu.edu.au/researchers/roberts-hj

For a list of relevant projects, see Professor Elliott's research page: https://www.law.ua.edu/directory/People/view/Heather_Elliott

Field Trips

An optional field trip to the High Court of Australia is anticipated. Public transport will be utilised.

Required Resources

A reading guide will be available via the course WATTLE site.

Recommended Resources

Tony Blackshield, Michael Coper and George Williams (eds), The Oxford Companion to the High Court of Australia (OUP, 2001)

Kermit L Hall et all The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States (OUP 2005, 2^nd ed)

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Extensions late submission and penalties - https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Special consideration: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/special-assessment-consideration

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of Grades Policy: Effective from Winter Session and Second Semester 2018 (and until further notice), an interim scaling guideline applies to all courses in the LLB (Hons) and JD programs. Please see: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading

Further Information about the Course: is available from the course WATTLE page. Students are required to access the WATTLE site regularly throughout the course for details on weekly classes and any announcements relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction, overview and origins
2	Courts and Constitutions
3	Appointments and Removals
4	Jurisdiction and Procedure
5	Inner Workings
6	Landmark Cases and Controversies
7	Landmark Cases and Controversies
8	Leading Judges
9	Leading Judges
10	Special Topics

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
In class exercises	10 %	06/08/2019	20/08/2019	1, 2, 5, 6
Discussant Role	10 %	06/08/2019	03/09/2019	1, 2, 5, 6
Research Project Outline	10 %	14/08/2019	23/08/2019	1, 2, 3, 6
Research Project	70 %	16/10/2019	30/11/2019	1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Attendance	0 %	06/08/2019	06/08/2019	1, 2, 5, 6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Please note that this is an intensive course and there is a participation and attendance component.

Assessment Task 1

In class exercises

Brief Description: This task will reflect a student’s level of engagement in class discussions and in-class activities held throughout the course. Reading before class and reflecting on issues raised by the readings will assist students.

Nature: Compulsory. Failure to participate will result in a 0 for this task.

Weighting:10%

Due Date: Ongoing.

Feedback: Oral feedback provided in class. Written feedback provided 2 weeks after the completion of the course via Wattle gradebook.

Criteria: This task will be assessed by reference to how well the student demonstrates active, considered and respectful engagement in class discussion throughout the course as well as how well they demonstrate an understanding of the readings and themes of the course via their contribution to small group class activities, including responding to other students and course lecturers.

Assessment Task 2

Discussant Role

Brief Description: Students will be allocated one or more class (depending on class size) in which they will act as discussant. This task will reflect a student’s level of engagement with reading and in class discussion. Reading before class and reflecting on issues raised by the readings will assist students.

Nature: Compulsory. Failure to complete this task will result in a 0 for this task.

Release: Allocation will occur on or before the second day of class.

Weighting: 10%

Due Date: Ongoing

Feedback: Oral feedback provided in class. Written feedback provided 4 weeks after the end of the course via Wattle Gradebook.

Criteria: This task will be assessed by reference to how well the student demonstrates active, considered and respectful engagement in class discussion as well as how well they demonstrate an understanding of the readings and themes of the course via their contribution, including responding to other students and course lecturers.

Assessment Task 3

Research Project Outline

Brief Description: Students are required to submit an outline of their research paper.

Nature: Compulsory. Failure to complete this task will result in a 0 for this task.

Word limit: 600 words

Weighting: 10%

Due date: 12 noon, Wednesday 14 August via Turnitin. Late submissions (ie without an extension) are permitted, although late penalties will apply.

Release: Students can start working on their outline from the beginning of the course and are encouraged to discuss their ideas with both lecturers during the course.

Feedback: Friday 23 August via Turnitin

Criteria:

1. Develops a clear question.
2. Selects a format for the research project.
3. Identifies relevant material.
4. Identifies key comparative issues.
5. Appropriate acknowledgement of sources. Where written work is submitted, references are included which comply with the AGLC.
6. Communicates with clarity, precision and accuracy

Assessment Task 4

Research Project

Brief Description: Students will complete a comparative research project on a question of their choice.

Nature: Compulsory. Failure to complete this task will result in a 0 for this task.

Release: Students can start working on their outline and project from the beginning of the course and are encouraged to discuss their ideas with both lecturers during the course

Weighting: 70%

Word limit: Project is 3,500 words or equivalent (as negotiated with the convener).

Due Date: 12 noon Wednesday 16 October via Turnitin. Late submissions (ie without an extension) are permitted, although late penalties will apply.

Feedback: end of semester results

Criteria:

1. Structures their project including logically moving through the issues.
2. Develops a clear argument and responds to the question.
3. Critically evaluates relevant material.
4. Researches primary and secondary legal sources.
5. Engages in appropriate comparative analysis (including adopting appropriate comparative methodologies).
6. Appropriate acknowledgement of sources. Where formal written work is submitted, references are included which comply with the AGLC.
7. Addresses issues and communicates with clarity, precision and accuracy.

Assessment Task 5

Attendance

Brief Description: This is an intensive, cross-cultural and interactive course. The class roll will be taken at the start of each class and any absences of any student after any break in the class session will potentially lead to a half-class attendance being noted and discussed with the relevant student. 

Nature: Compulsory. Failure to attend at least 80% of classes will result in a penalty of 5% of the overall marks for the course.

Weighting: 5% penalty.

Due Date: Ongoing. If you have exceptional and unforeseen circumstances which prevent you from attending a class, you must provide documentation to the convener. (Work and extra curricula activities are not considered exceptional and unforeseen circumstances for this purpose).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students