The ANU College of Law's internship course offers students an unparalleled opportunity to put their learning into action and carry out a law-based research project in a legal professional workplace. The course requires and develops both legal knowledge and a lawyer's approach to problem identification, analysis and recommendations.

Internship placements are available within a variety of Commonwealth and Australian Capital Territory government departments, statutory bodies, community legal centres and other non-government organisations. Internships are also available under the supervision of a member of the ANU College of Law. In addition, students may arrange their own internship with a suitable organisation and professional supervisor, opening up the possibility to choose organisations and locations that best suit their future career interests. The professional supervisor of an intern must be a lawyer. Applications to complete self-arranged internships will be approved where they meet the requirements of the course.

Internships are available during each semester and during summer and winter term, enabling students to complete placements in remote locations in Australia or internationally. To assist in arranging placements, applications for an internship are generally made earlier than for other subjects.

Students must apply to undertake this course. Please go to Law Internships page for application information.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Produce a clear and coherent multimodal or written text for legal professional purposes;
2. Reflect on the practices of a legal professional workplace and communicate own learning gained from the experience;
3. Critically analyse a legal issue relevant to the host workplace and synthesise theoretical and professional knowledge to propose solutions to mitigate or eliminate risks; and
4. Plan and execute a research project with some independence.

Research-Led Teaching

This course is research-intensive and offers students an unparalleled opportunity to put their learning into action and carry out a law-based research project in a legal professional workplace. . One of the assessment item for this course is a research-related project which requires and develops both legal knowledge and a lawyer's approach to problem identification, analysis and recommendations.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

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

Distribution of Grades Policy: 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 any announcements relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	There are no formal classes for this course

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Draft Research Project Outline	0 %	26/06/2023	03/07/2023	3,5
Host Mid-Placement Evaluation	5 %	29/06/2023	13/07/2023	2
Student Mid-Placement Evaluation	0 %	29/06/2023	*
Host Final Placement Evaluation	5 %	20/07/2023	*	2
Student Final Placement Evaluation	0 %	20/07/2023	14/08/2023
Research Project	50 %	20/07/2023	14/08/2023	1,2,3,4
Two Reflective Blogs	40 %	20/07/2023	14/08/2023	1,2

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills 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

Subject to agreed supervision arrangements, students should try to consult each week with their professional supervisor (internship host). Such meetings are not a course requirement. Students are generally expected to work in a ‘self-directed’ mode; and to write their research paper accordance with usual academic requirements.

  

Under University policy, the expected normal level of effort input by students each week is 10 hours per week for a six unit course such as this.

The College encourages interns to spend time in the workplace undertaking tasks separate from the research paper. This is not possible in all cases (due to workplace security requirements in some workplaces). There is no requirement for a set amount of time to be spent in the workplace, however, a reasonable requirement would be one day per week during semester placements and the equivalent if the internship is undertaken intensively. This would be a minimum of twelve (12) full days or equivalent (96 hours) in the workplace (with the on-site expectation modified for students allocated to those workplaces where students cannot physically gain access to the workplace because of issues relating to security clearances). This workplace experience would be reflected in the course report.

NOTE: Students interning off-campus must complete an ANU Travel Approval form in order to be covered by ANU insurance.

Examination(s)

There is no final examination for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Draft Research Project Outline

Details of Task:  Submit a draft outline to allow your supervisor to read and comment.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Failure to complete the task may put your progress in the course at risk.

Weighting: 0%

Word Limit: 300 words. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here. Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted.

Submission Requirement: Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted.

Due Date: 5pm, Thursday 26 June 2023 via Turnitin. Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Estimated Return Date: 3 July 2023

Assessment Criteria:

• Understanding and discussion of relevant law
• Selection of relevant issues
• Analysis of relevant facts
• Persuasiveness of arguments
• Creative and originality of approach

Assessment Task 2

Host Mid-Placement Evaluation

Details of Task: The host will be submitting a mid-placement evaluation which the student will be assessed on. The mark will be determined by the convenor based on the criterion listed in the assessment criteria. A sample of the evaluation form will be available on WATTLE.

Nature of Task: Compulsory.

Weighting: 5%.

Due Date: 5pm, Friday 29 June 2023 via Turnitin. Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Estimated return date: 13 July 2023

Assessment Criteria:

• Foundation skills
• Adaptive skills and attributes
• Collaborative skills
• Technical skills
• Employability and enterprise skills

Assessment Task 3

Student Mid-Placement Evaluation

Details of Task: Student to submit an evaluation on their placement. This evaluation is designed to ensure that that students are supported during their internship placement and ensure guidance and targeted is provided where needed.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Failure to complete the task may impact on your progress in the course.

Weighting: 0%.

Due Date: 5pm, Friday 29 June 2023 via Turnitin. Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Assessment Task 4

Host Final Placement Evaluation

Details of Task: The host will be submitting a mid-placement evaluation which the student will be assessed on. The mark will be determined by the convenor based on the criterion listed in the assessment criteria. A sample of the evaluation form will be available on WATTLE.

Nature of Task: Compulsory.

Weighting: 5%.

Due Date: 5pm, Thursday 20 July 2023 via Wattle

Estimated return date: Official end of semester results release date via Turnitin.

Assessment Criteria:

• Foundation skills
• Adaptive skills and attributes
• Collaborative skills
• Technical skills
• Employability and enterprise skills

Assessment Task 5

Student Final Placement Evaluation

Details of Task: Student to submit an evaluation on their internship host. This is an integral part of the ANU College of Law's internship program in ensuring a meaningful experience for our students.

Nature of Task: Compulsory.

Weighting: 0%

Due Date: 5pm, Thursday 20 July 2023 via Wattle

Assessment Task 6

Research Project

Details of task: The Law Internship requires the completion of a research project equivalent to 2,000-word scholarly paper (e.g., something analogous to a 15 min. conference presentation/poster). The research project may be a topic of the student's choice and may be multi-disciplinary, but it must have a strong law, legal policy and/or law reform element and approved by the convenor/host.

Interns should be aware that if they intend to conduct interviews with people or a written survey as part of their research, they will need to seek ethics permission from the ANU University Ethics Committee. Interns should also read the University’s website on Ethics and Integrity and also the information on the ethics approval process.

The project is marked by the Course Convener in accordance with the assessment criteria set out below and encompassing feedback from the host.

The task requires the consolidation of professional knowledge to provide solutions to complex problems, through the exercise of creative thinking, judgement and independence.

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete will result in a mark of zero for this task.

Weighting: 50%

Word Limit: 2,000 words. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here. Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted.

Due Date: 5pm, Thursday 20 July 2023 via Turnitin. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted. However, penalties for late submissions will be applied. Please be mindful that if you are in your final semester, late submissions will have an impact on your eligibility to graduate on time.

Estimated return date: 14 August 2023

Assessment Criteria:

• The extent to which the paper relates to the work of the internship organisation
• Understanding and discussion of relevant law
• Analysis and response to topic
• Structure including logical development of content.
• Referencing and compliance with AGLC.
• Expression and written communication including use of legal terminology, English expression, grammar and punctuation.

Assessment Task 7

Two Reflective Blogs

Details of task: The objective of the reflective blogs is for interns to evaluate their learning experience in a written reflection in relation to both of the following two topics.

1. Did the course add to the intern's professional knowledge and professional skills as a lawyer?

2. Did the internship experience lead to professional and personal development and can the intern reflect on and articulate that?

The task requires students to write clearly and coherently about their experience, reflecting on legal professionalism, professionals and workplaces, drawing upon their theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to submit this assessment will result in a mark of zero for this assessment task.

Weighting: 40%.

Word Limit: 600 words per blog. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Due Date: 5pm, Thursday 20 July 2023 via Turnitin. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted. However, penalties for late submissions will be applied. Please be mindful that if you are in your final semester, late submissions will have an impact on your eligibility to graduate on time.

Estimated return date: 14 August 2023

Assessment Criteria:

• Quality, Depth of Analysis and Reflection
• Demonstrate personal responsibility for learning and growth
• Clarity of expression

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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 in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). Electronic copies in .pdf file format are not acceptable.

Hardcopy Submission

Research essays are to be submitted via Turnitin.

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 tests or 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 granted an extension. Where an extension is granted, the revised due date and submission time will be provided in writing. Importantly, any revised due date is inclusive of weekends and public holidays. Regardless of which day of the week the revised due date falls on, students who submit after that date will be penalised by 5% of the possible marks available for the task per 24-hour period.  

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

All marks and feedback will be provided by the return date listed in the class summary. 

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 Access 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