The ability to conduct research into complex legal problems and the ability to write about law, addressing a range of audiences, are essential skills for any lawyer. This course builds on the legal research and writing skills introduced in first year and acquired during compulsory courses throughout the degree to date. It will cover a range of research and writing topics.
Research related topics include: identifying and framing research questions; different types of legal research (e.g. doctrinal, empirical and socio-legal); how to amass and assess information utilising a range of research techniques both traditional and digital, including complex online databases.
Writing related topics will include: the importance of knowing one's audience; effective written communication styles and techniques; how to structure different forms of legal writing (e.g. legal advice, legal policy and academic writing).
The course will be taught in a series of modules by different experts covering a range of legal research and writing techniques. It is expected that the course will also include guest speakers who conduct research in a range of legally-related professional contexts.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Compare different types of legal research and evaluate their suitability for addressing a range of research questions
- Investigate and apply a range of legal research techniques
- Determine and implement research strategies that are ethically robust and which recognise and value diverse culture and traditions
- Construct and apply strategies for managing, organising, and assessing data
- Choose appropriate forms of legal writing to communicate to a range of audiences
- Develop a plan to address a specific legal research question
Indicative Assessment
- Completion of four online quizzes and short-answer tests on legal research, each worth 10% (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Completion of a detailed research plan: framing a specific question and its scope and identifying the information needed to address the question together with the research sources, techniques and communication styles to be used. (60) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
- Classes offered in non-standard sessions will be taught on an intensive base with compulsory contact hours (approximately 36 hours of face to face teaching). The course will also require advanced preparation through assigned readings. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
- Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have three contact hours per week. Students are generally expected to devote at least 10 hours overall per week to this course.
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Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Alternatively, this information will be published in the Program course list when known.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4740 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $5700 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6908 | 25 Jul 2022 | 01 Aug 2022 | 31 Aug 2022 | 28 Oct 2022 | In Person | View |