This course provides an introduction to the study of post-graduate law. It is an innovative course designed to introduce all non-law graduates (and by choice, law graduates from overseas universities) to fundamental principles of law and legal systems. The course includes a focus on both the Australian legal system and comparative issues where relevant and covers the following topics:
• sources of law (including case law, statute, treaties, custom, tradition)
• types of law (including national, international, public, private)
• legal systems (including common law, civil law, international and indigenous law)
• legal institutions (including parliament , courts, tribunals, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and community)
• legal interpretation.

Integrated throughout the course is a discussion of legal pluralism, and law and society. A strong emphasis is also placed on assisting students to develop skills in legal research, citation, problem-solving and legal writing.
 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of the foundations of law, legal systems and legal institutions
2. Demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of the Australian legal system, including the executive, legislative, judicial and federal systems
3. Incorporate social, policy, comparative or interdisciplinary approaches into legal analysis
4. Demonstrate key skills in legal research, legal writing, citation and answering legal problems
5. Read, review and analyse legal cases, texts and statutes.

Research-Led Teaching

Amelia Simpson is an active researcher in the fields of public law and the intersection of law and public policy. Her research expertise and subject matter knowledge underpins and informs her delivery of this course.

Required Resources

A course reading list containing hyperlinks to online materials will be available on the Wattle site.

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

Task submission times refer to Canberra time (AEST/AEDT).

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

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 any announcements relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	This is a semi-intensive course that will be delivered in 3 hour blocks over 9 afternoons between 30th July and 14th August 2021. The course will explore the foundations of the Australian legal system and key contemporary lawmaking institutions. It will introduce students to the basics of locating, interpreting and applying sources of law. There is an expectation that students in this course will attend all online synchronous classes in person and complete all set preparatory reading.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Quiz 1	0 %	31/07/2021	31/07/2021	1,2
Quiz 2	10 %	14/08/2021	18/08/2021	4
Quiz 3	20 %	23/08/2021	01/09/2021	1,2,3,5
Problem Question / Case Note	70 %	20/09/2021	05/10/2021	3,4,5

* 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 Academic Integrity . 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

For all courses taught in any mode (whether face to face or online), the ANU College of Law considers participation in the classes offered to be an important part of the educational experience of the graduate program. Students are expected to attend all classes.

If circumstances arise which are beyond a student’s control and they are unable to attend a class, the student should contact the Course Convenor in advance (where possible), so that the convenor can adjust their expectations in relation to numbers for that class. If it is not possible to give advance notice, students should send the convenor an email as soon as possible with evidence to support the reason for failure to attend. 

Assessment Task 1

Quiz 1

Nature of Task: This quiz is designed to test your understanding of the preliminary readings for the course, and identify any areas that may need more class time and attention. Whilst this quiz is not compulsory, completing the quiz is highly recommended as it will enable me to appropriately assist students who may be finding the reading challenging. The quiz comprises of multiple choice questions accessed and completed online through the Wattle site.

Weighting: 0%

Release: The Quiz will be made available by 10.00am Monday 19 July 2021.

Due date: 11.00pm on Saturday 31 July 2021. Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Estimated return date: Available immediately on submission.

Assessment Criteria:

a) Understanding of the material:

• consults and comprehends the set preliminary reading for the course in advance of the face-to-face component;
• links issues / concepts raised across the various items of preliminary reading.

Assessment Task 2

Quiz 2

Nature of Task: Quiz comprised of short-answer and multiple-choice questions. This task is compulsory. Failure to submit will result in a mark of 0 for the task.

Weighting: 10%

Release: The Quiz will be made available by 6.00pm on Friday 13 August 2021 via WATTLE.

Due date: The Quiz must be submitted by 11.59pm on Sunday 15 August 2021. Due to the nature of this task, extensions are not possible.

Estimated return date: 18 August 2021.

Assessment Criteria:

a) Research

• consults appropriate databases for case law, legislation and secondary sources
• employs appropriate search techniques
• understands differences between databases;

b) Citation and referencing

• consults and applies Australian Guide to Legal Citation

Assessment Task 3

Quiz 3

Nature of Task: Quiz comprised of short-answer questions accessed and completed online through the Wattle site. The quiz is not time-limited and can be paused and resumed throughout the period over which it is available. The quiz is compulsory. Failure to participate will result in 0 marks for this task.

Weighting: 20%

Release: The Quiz will be made available by 5.00pm, Monday 16 August 2021 via Wattle.

Due date: 5.00pm, Monday 23 August 2021. If you experience unavoidable and extenuating circumstances and cannot complete the assessment at the due date and time, you should apply for an extension to the ANU College of Law Student Administration Services: https://law.anu.edu.au/forms/assessment-extension-request. The College will give you one further opportunity to complete the assessment, at the same time one week later. This will be your final opportunity to complete the task.

Estimated return date: the latter of the date on which all students have completed the quiz, or 1 September 2021.

Assessment Criteria:

a)   Understanding of the issues

• addresses the question and covers all the important points raised by the question
• consults and synthesises relevant reading materials and in-class discussion/materials
• connects material covered in different sessions;

b)   Thinking critically about the material

• where appropriate, looks at questions from different angles
• questions assumptions;

c)   Presentation

• expresses ideas clearly and succinctly. 

Assessment Task 4

Problem Question / Case Note

Nature of Task: A two-part question (in which both parts are compulsory):

PART A involves students reading a legal case provided to them and preparing a case note

PART B involves students using that same case to assist in answering a hypothetical problem

This task is compulsory. Failure to submit will result in a mark of 0 for the task.

Weighting: 70%

• PART A (mark value: 40% of the marks available for the course)
• PART B (mark value: 30% of the marks available for the course)

Word limit: 4,200 words

Release: The question will be made available via Wattle on or before Friday 20 August 2021.

Due date: 5.00pm Monday 20 September 2021 via Turnitin. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply. 

Estimated return date: On or before 5 October 2021.

Assessment Criteria:

a)   Case Note

• summarises facts and procedural history
• correctly identifies issues to be decided
• summarises court’s analysis of law and correctly identifies principles of law to be applied
• correctly summarises court’s application of law to the facts
• clearly identifies court’s decision
• analyses the policy ramifications and/or social or cultural context of the case:
• using logical and well-organised discussion
• conducting critical analysis of the material
• drawing on a range of appropriate research sources
• reaching well-reasoned conclusions;

b)   Application to the hypothetical problem

• answers the question asked
• correctly identifies the legal issues raised from the facts of the question
• accurately states and explains the relevant legal principles
• accurately and persuasively applies legal principles to the material facts, recognising any ‘grey areas’
• reaches clear conclusions;

c)   Presentation, style and referencing

• well-chosen structure with good use of section headings and paragraphs
• clear and succinct expression
• full and accurate footnotes
• style according to Australian Guide to Legal Citation
• adherence to word limit.

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.
• Late submission with an extension. To ensure equity for all students, the 5% penalty per working day for late submission of work does not apply if you have been given an extension. Where an extension is granted, the revised due date and submission time is provided in writing. Please note that the revised due date is calculated by including weekends and public holidays. Regardless of which day of the week the revised due date falls on, students who submit after that date are penalised by 5% of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof.

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. Extensions may be granted 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