Interested in how laws, legal work or legal practice affect people and outcomes in regional, rural and remote (RRR) areas in Australia or other parts of the world? Interested in where lawyers and others, whose work or activities affect RRR areas are located and why this may matter?  

The course asks how laws, legal work and legal practices operate and affect what may be achieved by individuals and groups, businesses and governments, communities and communities of interest - in and in relation to regional, rural and remote areas. 

Come and explore whether, how and why RRR legal problems are different and how creative thinking and creative practices can help you address RRR legal issues in new ways.

The course will help you conceptualise the roles lawyers play in relation to law and legal issues in RRR areas. Using a lens of complexity focusing on linkages, systems and inter-connections and using cutting edge tools such as problem representation, problem patterns and reflexivity, you will explore how laws and legal work in many locations, sectors and contexts relate to the RRR. Around the other way, you will use tools to explore how those in RRR areas may draw on legal and other resources within and outside the RRR. 

You will also explore how international, economic, political and other dimensions and developments can affect the RRR, how law and lawyers in the international are involved and how issues may vary between countries and locations around the world. 

This course will challenge you to further develop and apply your knowledge, skills and creativity to help unpack and work on RRR legal problems. This includes endemic, systemic and structural legal problems being problems which are entrenched, persistent and strongly associated with adverse outcomes. 

The course will enable you to experience and participate in a dynamic community of practice in relation to these issues.  

Topics in the course include: 

• Conceptual approaches to the regional, rural and remote (RRR) and their effects
• Exploring who works on RRR legal and related issues, where and what is involved  
• Identifying factors which affect how laws operate in RRR areas and the effects
• Characterisations of RRR legal problems, implications and effects 
• Roles of lawyers, lawyering types and outcomes for RRR clients, law and justice 
• Working on endemic, structural and systemic RRR legal problems 
• Adaptability, resourcefulness and creativity as tools in addressing RRR law, lawyering and justice issues 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Identify and critically analyse, in written and/or oral form, a complex body of knowledge including recent developments, in the area of law, lawyers, justice - regional, rural and remote (RRR);
2. Apply research principles and scholarship to research, critically and creatively analyse, and reflect on complex information, problems, concepts and theories in relation to the area of law, lawyers, justice - RRR;
3. Interpret, conceptualise and articulate for specialist and non-specialist audiences, client and stakeholder problems and positions relevant to current issues in the area of law, lawyers, justice - RRR;
4. Demonstrate expertise, creativity and initiative to theorise, develop and distil effective options in the area of law, lawyers, justice - RRR applied to particular problems which encompasses legalities, practicalities, risks and alternatives;
5. Apply advanced knowledge and skills autonomously and ethically, displaying expert judgment, adaptability, responsibility and self-critique as a learner and practitioner in relation to problems in law, lawyers, justice - RRR;
6. Plan and complete a substantial research project applying expert critical and reflective engagement with concepts in law, lawyers, justice - RRR, problem analysis, legal research, legal principles and legal writing.

Research-Led Teaching

A distinctive feature of research-led teaching in this course is that it is a joint enterprise, based on the perspectives that: 

• practice’ is a site and a space in which research-in-doing occurs continually, whatever the contexts or purposes
• practice and practices provide a strong impetus for many forms of deep and wide-ranging research and inquiry
• theory is a rich conceptual source to help critique problems and how they operate
• everyone is a researcher in relation to topics, issues and practices which concern them
• everyone is a teacher, able to prompt and encourage scholarly and other forms of research-led learning

Required Resources

World Bank and International Monetary Fund, Global Monitoring Report 2013: Rural-urban dynamics and the millennium development goals. (World Bank Publications, 2013). Follow the hyperlink to a free copy on the World Bank web site. 

Students will find it useful to review this analysis, highlighting that three quarters of the world’s poor live in rural areas, patterns, challenges and suggested ways forward.

Recommended Resources

Students will find it useful to review one of the following texts, relevant to contemporary themes:

• Hogan, Anthony and Michelle Young (eds), Rural and Regional Futures (e-book), Routledge Advances in Regional Economics, Science and Policy (Taylor and Francis, 2014) Follow the hyperlink to the e-book in the ANU Library online. The book is a collection relating to Australian rural and regional policy, themes, actors and trends. 
• Cloke, Paul, Terry Marsden and Patrick Mooney (eds), Handbook of Rural Studies (e-book) (Sage Publications, 2006). Follow the hyperlink to the e-book in the ANU Library online. The book is a collection focusing on key constructs, themes and theories in ‘rural studies’ internationally. 

Other resources:

• Weekly Course Plan & Resources (incorporating e-brick)
• E-brick available separately
• Discussion forums in Wattle

Staff Feedback

You will be given written and/or oral feedback pointing out things that have been done well and those that could be done better or differently. You will be given written or oral feedback following any submission of an assessment. This is typically available 1-4 weeks after submission of the assessment. You may seek further elaboration on any feedback - either from your marker or by the Convenor. If you feel that your feedback and grade does not reflect your performance, please contact the Convenor in writing and outline your concerns. Your submission will be re-marked by a new examiner.

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

External Resources

Information about the ANU Law Library, including details of E-Legal research online resources (for example, CCH Intelliconnect, Legal Online, LexisNexisAU, etc) is available to ANU students and can be found at http://anulib.anu.edu.au/subjects/law. For access to the online resources please go to: http://virtual.anu.edu.au then type in your student number and password. At various points throughout the course you will be directed to other useful external resources.

 

Referencing Requirements

Where required, students must use footnotes for referencing and the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/mulr/aglc) for the citation style. 

 

Word Limits

The method of calculation of word length for assessment pieces in this course is a global word count. This means that when calculating the number of words of a piece of assessment students must include all headings, text, and footnotes (excluding bibliography). Students should calculate this using Microsoft Word’s word count function or equivalent. The default penalty is as follows: the mark which is awarded initially will be reduced by half the proportion by which the word limit has been exceeded. As an example, if the word limit is 2,000 words, and the essay submitted is 3,000 words long, then the initial mark for the essay would be reduced by 25% of that mark.

Papers which fall short of words will not be penalised on that basis alone. However, short papers risk failing to address the question adequately.

 

ANU Library

All enrolled ANU students can access the ANU databases (including the full-text databases such as Westlaw) through the ANU Library webpage http://anulib.anu.edu.au/lib_home.html

Opening hours for the Law Library can be accessed at http://anulib.anu.edu.au/using-the-library/opening-hours/.

To access restricted ANU web pages from home as though coming from a computer on campus you need the Reverse Proxy Server known as ‘Virtual’. You can access virtual through http://virtual.anu.edu.au/login.

Students living near another law school may need to access print resources from their local school. ANU students can use these collections through the University Library Australia national borrowing scheme. The scheme allows people who are enrolled at a university in one city to access university libraries in another city at a reduced rate. For further information see http://www.caul.edu.au/caul-programs/university-library-australia. Students who wish to participate in this scheme need to join at the library they wish to access material from. The cost of the scheme is $50 per academic year.

The ANU document delivery service is available for remotely located students in non-capital cities. For further information see https://anulib.anu.edu.au/using-the-library/document-supply-services/ .

The ANU Library Off-Campus Service is available to students who live more than 60 kilometres from the ANU campus at Acton, ACT. Before using the service for the first time, you will need to complete the online User Agreement Form. You will then be able to request a book, table of contents, chapter or article using the request forms on the Off-Campus Service web pages. For further information see http://anulib.anu.edu.au/offcampus/.

 

Sub-Dean, GDLP/MLP

The GDLP/MLP Sub-Dean can be contacted via email on subdean.slp@anu.edu.au

Wellbeing Support Services for Lawyers

You will find wellbeing support information for lawyers on the ANU School of Legal Practice website.

We also encourage you to read Being Well in the Law – a guide for lawyers which is a toolkit is provided by the NSW Law Society, written by our ANU Academics.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Topic 1 – Introduction – Conceptualising: RRR and laws, lawyers and justice
2	Topic 2 – How laws operate in the RRR, roles of lawyers, lawyering types and impacts
3	Topic 2 – How laws operate in the RRR, roles of lawyers, lawyering types and impacts cont'd	Assessment Task 1 due: Sunday, 21 April 2019
4	Topic 3 – Characterising RRR legal problems including endemic, structural and systemic
5	Topic 3 – Characterising RRR legal problems including endemic, structural and systemic cont'd
6	Topic 4 – Roles of adaptability, resourcefulness and creativity in addressing RRR law, lawyering and justice issues	Assessment Task 2 due during Week 6 - 7 see Assessment Task for more information
7	Topic 4 – Roles of adaptability, resourcefulness and creativity in addressing RRR law, lawyering and justice issues cont'd	Assessment Task 2 due during Week 6 - 7 see Assessment Task for more information
8	Topic 5 – Current legal issues and the RRR – what do and can lawyers bring?
9	Topic 5 – Current legal issues and the RRR – what do and can lawyers bring? cont'd
10	Topic 6 – Reflective debrief	Assessment Task 3 due: Sunday, 9 June 2019
11	Final Assessment Preparation
12	Final Assessment Preparation	Assessment Task 4 due: Sunday, 23 June 2019

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Forum posts (10%)	10 %	21/04/2019	29/04/2019	1,2,3,4,5
Class presentation (online) (20%)	20 %	19/05/2019	27/05/2019	1,2,3,4,5
Research essay, advice or submission (40%)	40 %	23/06/2019	15/07/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6

* 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. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

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

You must check Wattle course announcements and forum discussions as well as your ANU email at least every 24-48 hours.

All email correspondence from the ANU will be sent to your ANU email address. You may arrange for your ANU Email to be forwarded to an email address you check daily.

Alternatively, set your personal setting to provide you with all the reminders you need to achieve this. At the end of the day, it is your responsibility to ensure you are actively committed and involved in this course.

The course will be conducted in the following time zones (Canberra time). 

Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT): up until 7 April 2019.

Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): from 7 April 2019 to 6 October 2019. 

Please make appropriate adjustments if you are located in a different time zone.

Assessment Task 1

Forum posts (10%)

Format: Short professional discussion posts

Description: There are 2 forum discussion topics that form part of this assessment.

• Week 1 (optional and non-assessable)
• Week 2/3 (assessable)

Students must make a substantive posting to the assessable forum topic. For the assessable forum topic, each student chooses their post or posts to a total of 600-800 words for grading. For example if one post, this should be 600-800 words if two or more posts, then in total 600-800 words. The student provides these posts (labelled by week e.g. Week 2/3) in one word document which they lodge via the Wattle assignment drop box at the end of week 3 for a total of 10 marks.

Submission Date: Sunday, 21 April 2019 11.59 pm (AEST)

Length: 600-800 words for the assessable forum topic. For each of these forum topics, each student chooses their post or posts to a total of 600-800 words for grading. For example if one post, this should be 600- 800 words if two or more posts, then in total 600-800 words.

Estimated Date of Results: Monday, 29 April 2019

Assessment Criteria:

a) Analysis of the Issues

•  critical analysis and discussion of the key points, issues and policy
• evidence of consideration of the research materials drawn on
• Information analysed and applied, not just summarised or quoted extensively

b) Communication & Development of Argument

• clear language appropriate for the medium
• arguments, ideas and solutions are logical, well-organised and linked coherently

c)  Argument/Analysis

• originality of ideas and analysis of the material
• consideration of opposing arguments
• well-reasoned and practical conclusion / recommendations

d) Research

• evidence of relevant research
• good organisation of sources and ability to synthesise the research materials used
• use of theoretical and practical material as appropriate

e) Presentation, style and referencing

• structured contribution with appropriate headings and paragraphs
• clear expression, interesting and engaging of reader
• appropriate terminology and correct grammar, syntax and spelling
• full and accurate references where appropriate
• style according to Australian Guide to Legal Citation
• adherence to specified word limit

Assessment Task 2

Class presentation (online) (20%)

Description: Each student:

• Develops a PowerPoint, aide memoire / dot points etc. for the presentation (max 3 pages) for the presentation and lodges this in advance via a Wattle Turnitin drop box assignment drop box at least 24 hours before the presentation time
• Shares this with the group for their presentation at least 6 hours before the presentation time (contact list of ANU email addresses will be provided)
• Presents for 5-10 minutes, and facilitate discussion and summarise the key themes at the end of the discussion (about 15 minutes in total per student)

Grade: 20% consisting of 5% for the PowerPoint, aide memoire / dot points and 15% for the presentation and discussion

Approval of Topic: Students develop their presentation based on the course topic for week 6/7 and applying the following criteria:

• topics should focus on critical analysis and conceptualisation of dilemmas and complexities relating to the topic
• use case examples

Submission Date: Due during weeks 6 and 7 - Monday, 6 May 2019 to Sunday, 19 May 2019 - with the final day of completion Sunday, 19 May 2019.

Length: Max 200 words on the PowerPoint, aide memoire / dot points etc. for the presentation.

Estimated Date of Results: Monday, 27 May 2019

Assessment Criteria:

a) Preparation and understanding of the material

• consulting and reading pre-assigned materials in advance of the lectures/seminars
• linking material between various aspects of the class and different lectures
• consulting literature identified in the reading and class summary

b) Thinking critically about the material

• looking at questions from different angles
• questioning assumptions

c) Presentation of material to class

• expressing ideas clearly
• use of appropriate language
• use of relevant aids, i.e. PowerPoint, aide memoire / dot points

d) Engagement with the Class

• responding to questions from fellow students and instructors
• treating all members of the class respectfully
• maintaining class interest

Assessment Task 3

Research essay, advice or submission (40%)

Format: Research essay, advice or submission

Description: Students choose to complete (1) a research essay, (2) an advice, (3) or a submission incorporating or relating to aspects of law, lawyers justice – regional, rural, remote. The three options correspond with three substantial pieces of research and writing involving law, which may arise in particular efforts relating to lawyer, lawyers, justice – regional, rural, remote. The essay can be likened to a journal article, the advice to a background paper or a legal advice and the submission to a written submission to an inquiry process on behalf of particular stakeholders.

Approval of Topic:

Students should develop their proposed topic for approval by the Course Convenor by Wednesday 22 May 2019, having regard to the following suggestions:

For the research essay, students might choose to analyse issues involving law, lawyers, justice – regional, rural, remote in the light of themes, concepts or issues raised in the course or to analyse and suggest refinements to certain concepts in the light of analysis of one or more case studies.

An advice could be an analysis to assist and address the needs of a particular stakeholder, drawing on themes, concepts or issues raised during the course.

A submission could relate to a current or other issue, and to a real or imagined inquiry or be directed to attempting to bring particular issues onto the agenda. Submissions might be addressed to a parliamentary inquiry, a minister or high-level functionary, a representative body, a business, international body, NGO etc. Submissions should also draw on themes, concepts or issues developed during the course.

Submission Date: Sunday, 23 June 2019 11.59pm (AEST)

Length: 3200 words

Estimated Date of Results: Monday, 15 July 2019

Assessment Criteria for Research Essays/ Papers:

a) Analysis of the Issues

• addresses the question and covers all the important points
• evidence of close consideration of the question and the research materials drawn on
• issues raised by the topic are clearly and concisely identified
• material chosen relates clearly to the topic and is analysed not just summarised or quoted extensively

b) Communication & Development of Argument

• clear language appropriate for the medium
• arguments logical and well-organised
• ideas/paragraphs linked coherently

c)  Argument/Analysis

• originality of ideas and critical analysis of the material
• complexity and insight in dealing with theory/ideas
• suggestions for change where appropriate
• interdisciplinary perspective where appropriate
• addressing opposing arguments
• well-reasoned conclusions

d) Research

• research covering primary and secondary materials
• good organisation of sources and ability to synthesise all the research materials used
• use of theoretical material where appropriate
• range of research sources
• integration of material from research resources into the essay

e) Presentation, style and referencing

• good use of structure, section headings and paragraphs
• clarity and conciseness of expression, interesting and engaging of reader
• use of appropriate terminology and correct grammar, syntax and spelling
• full and accurate footnotes together with a bibliography
• style according to Australian Guide to Legal Citation
• adherence to word limit

Assessment Criteria for Problem-style Essays and Assignments (advice or submission):

a) Content

• answering the question asked
• identification of the legal issues raised from the questions
• legal principles states/explained with accuracy
• legal principles stated/explained in appropriate detail
• relevant facts recognised and linked to the legal principles
• recognition and evaluation of judicial and statutory ambiguities and ‘grey areas’
• originality/innovation in approach to issues
• clear conclusions

b) Structure/Organisation

• emphasis on the significant issues
• answer is coherent and structure logical

c)  Research

• research covering primary and secondary materials
• good organisation of sources and ability to synthesise all the research materials used
• use of theoretical material where appropriate
• range of research sources
• integration of material from research resources into the advice or submission

d) Expression

• good use of structure, section headings and paragraphs
• clarity and conciseness of expression, interesting and engaging of reader
• use of appropriate terminology and correct grammar, syntax and spelling
• full and accurate footnotes together with a bibliography where appropriate
• style according to Australian Guide to Legal Citation where appropriate
• adherence to word limit

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community 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 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 University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

Forum Posts:

• For Assessment Task 1 post/s due to be lodged for assessment at the end of Week 3:
• Select your post/s for assessment from posts you made to the forum for week 2/3
• Place your selected post/s into one word document and lodge this by the due date via the Wattle Turnitin drop box
• For Assessment Task 3 posts due to be lodged for assessment at the end of Week 10:
• Select your posts for assessment from posts you made to the forum for week 4/5; 8/9; and 10 inclusive

Class Presentation:

• Lodge your PowerPoint, aide memoire / dot points before your presentation time via the Wattle Turnitin drop box
• Then make a copy available before your presentation session to the other participants for that session

Research Essay, Advice or Submission

• Lodge via the Wattle Turnitin drop box

Please read the instruction for each assessment carefully.

Where assessments are to be submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site, you will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assessment.

Where assessments are to be submitted using Wattle dropbox in the course Wattle site, you will be required to electronically sign a declaration, by tick boxes, as part of the submission of your assessment. If you fail to do this, you assessment will be recorded as a draft only. This may affect its acceptance as a submitted assessment.

Please keep a copy of all your assessments for your records.

Assessments must be submitted in the format identified in the assessment instructions, for example, in accordance with relevant court or tribunal requirements; usual contract or will formats or advice format.

Research essays, reflective comments or similar documents must be submitted in 12-point font, double-spaced, formatted for A4-size paper, and with pages numbered. 

Hardcopy Submission

No hard copy submission will be accepted in this class.

Late Submission

Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

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

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.

Returning Assignments

Your written work will receive feedback and grading via the course Wattle site under the corresponding assessment drop box. Assessment results are typically available between 1-4 weeks after the due date via the same dropbox your assessments were submitted to. The Convenor will post announcements about when you can expect your assessment results.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

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