This on country intensive course, delivered through a collaboration between the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency and the ANU College of Law, aims to equip students with knowledge to critically assess law’s history, characteristics and impacts from the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Central to the course is the examination of the adequacy of the current state of Australian legal education, legal practice, law and justice in relation to First Nations peoples, with a view to possibilities for reform.

The course acknowledges the multidimensional roles of law and explores connections between law, culture and identity and between law, legitimacy and resources. Additional issues include the roles of legal education, legal practice and the legal system concerning how lawfulness and justice are constructed and performed. The course incorporates consideration of substantive areas of law such as legal ethics, property, criminal and civil law.

The course presents principles and tools to support reappraisal and future leadership to better address legal and societal dimensions of justice, rights and empowerment for First Nations peoples.

The course covers issues relating to Indigenous world views, historical and contemporary Indigenous experiences of settler-colonialism, the phenomena of legacy relationships and legacy systems, and concepts of cultural safety and decolonisation. Students will critically assess the implications of issues for themselves, relating to Indigenous peoples, and relating to the future of law and justice in Australia. As such, the course builds on concepts introduced in Lawyers, Justice and Ethics, Australian Public Law, International Law and Property Law.

Students will complete orientation workshops (max 6 hours) prior to departure, complete the on country intensive (5 days), and submit reflective assessments. Students will have six weeks after completing the intensive to write a research paper on an aspect of decolonising legal education, legal practice, law and justice in Australia and present their findings.

Students must apply to undertake this course. Please go to Law Professional Experience for application information.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Review how reflexive insights into personal and societal legacies of colonisation can relate to shifting power relations for Indigenous empowerment and Australian national building.  
2. Compare and contrast how concepts of cultural competency, cultural safety, cultural security and the like can operate to empower Indigenous people and improve social justice.
3. Critically discuss how non-Indigenous settler-colonial knowledge systems construct their own identities and those of Indigenous peoples.
4. Examine and critically evaluate conceptual and legal problems within substantive areas of law such as legal ethics, property, criminal and civil law relating to Indigenous peoples.
5. Evaluate a variety of impacts of the cultural interface on legal education, legal practice, law and justice in Australia. 
6. Identify and evaluate a range of legal practice approaches having regard to the wishes and interests of Indigenous people and Indigenous peoples.
7. Select and reflect on concrete and achievable ways in which they can promote Indigenous peoples access to justice and equality before the law. 
8. Conduct research into an aspect of decolonising legal education, legal practice, law and justice in Australia and present findings.

Research-Led Teaching

Associate Professor Anthony Hopkins began his career working for the Aboriginal Legal Service in Mparntwe/Alice Springs (now NAAJA). He was a practicing criminal defence barrister in the ACT from 2010 until May 2021 when he was appointed as a Special Magistrate sitting in the Galambany Circle Sentencing Court. He has an established track record of research scholarship and professional and community engagement focused on Indigenous justice and criminal justice law reform.

Field Trips

The centrepiece of this course is an on-Country intensive that will take place in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and at Uluru in the Northern Territory during the mid-semester break. Students will fly to Mparntwe/Alice Springs on Saturday 1 April 2023 and depart from Uluru/Yulara on Saturday 8 April 2023. Accommodation bookings will be arranged and paid for by the ANU College of Law, with the assistance of financial support made available under the Chris and Kerryn Marks Travel Award. Flight bookings will be the responsibility of each individual student. Funding to support the cost of flights will be made available to students under the Chris and Kerryn Marks Travel Award.

NOTE: Covid-19 restrictions and entry requirements, including proof of vaccination status, may apply to those travelling to the Northern Territory. Given the ever-changing nature of the pandemic there is the potential that the on-Country intensive will need to be cancelled at short notice due to border restrictions or other circumstances.

Additional Course Costs

Food and accommodation costs are provided for, with the exception of some meals. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have the capacity to meet these and other miscellaneous expenses. The intensive course program officially ends on the evening of Friday 7 April 2023.

Required Resources

Students will need to carefully prepare for the on-Country intensive, packing clothing and other belongings that are suitable for the conditions that they may find in Central Australia. Guidance will be provided in relation to relevant resources in seminars and via Wattle in the lead up to the on-Country intensive. There is no set text for the course. Reading and other textual resources will be provided to students via the course 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
• via rubric

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	No Seminar
2	No Seminar
3	Introduction, Orientation and Course Overview
4	No Seminar
5	No Seminar
6	Preparation for the on-Country Intensive
7	Research Project Workshop 1	Reflective Journal/Report 30%
8	No Seminar
9	No Seminar
10	Research Project Workshop 2	Work in Progress Presentation (incl Research Project Outline) 10%
11	No Seminar
12	No Seminar	Research Project 60%

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
On-Country Intensive Reflective Journal/Report on Experience	30 %	17/04/2023	24/04/2023	1,2,3,4,5,6
Work in Progress Research Project Oral Presentation (incl. Research Project Outline)	10 %	08/05/2023	15/05/2023	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Research Project	60 %	22/05/2023	29/06/2023	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

* 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

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 program. Students are expected to attend all classes.

Examination(s)

There is no final examination for this course.

Assessment Task 1

On-Country Intensive Reflective Journal/Report on Experience

Brief Description: Students are required to submit a Reflective Journal/Report on Experience following the on-Country intensive. There is no set format for this journal/report. It can take the form of a series of day-by-day journal entries or an overall thematic experience report. In either case, the content of the journal/report must engage with the assessment criteria/reflection topics set out below. Regardless of the format chosen for the submission, students are strongly encouraged to keep a (private) reflective journal during the on-Country intensive to record their experiences and insights as they arise. This journal will provide the foundation for the submitted assessment.

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

Weighting: 30%

Word limit: 2,100 words maximum. Footnotes should be used for referencing of sources. All references should be in the style required by the current edition of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Due date: 5pm, Monday 17 April 2023 via Wattle. Late submission (without an extension) is permitted, although late penalties will apply. Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted.

Estimated return date: Monday 24 April 2023

Assessment Criteria:

• Quality and clarity of insights and reflections in relation to some or all of the following:
• cultural humility, awareness, competency, safety, security and empowerment
• personal reactions (including emotional) to listening, engaging and responding to Indigenous voices on-Country
• personal and societal legacies of colonisation, colonial power and Indigenous resistance
• differences between Indigenous and settler-colonial knowledge systems, law and authority
• conflicts between Indigenous and settler-colonial knowledge systems, law and authority, including the impact of this conflict
• the potential for conflict resolution and true justice
• the potential for decolonising legal education, legal practice, law and justice in Australia
• the value of on-Country Indigenous led justice education, including thoughts on which activities worked best and why
• personal and professional growth.

Assessment Task 2

Work in Progress Research Project Oral Presentation (incl. Research Project Outline)

Brief Description: Students will deliver a work in progress oral presentation on their chosen research project topic. Students are also required to submit a one-page outline of their research project via Turnitin prior to their oral presentation.

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

Weighting: 10%

Time limit: 5 minutes for presentation with 2 minutes for questions and feedback.

Due date: The one-page Research Project Outline must be submitted via turnitin by 5pm on Monday 8 May 2023. Oral Presentations will be delivered during the Week 10 Research Project Workshop, commencing 5pm on Tuesday 9 May 2023. Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Estimated return date: Qualitative feedback will be provided immediately following delivery of the presentation. A mark and any further feedback by way of written comment on the one-page outline will be provided via Turnitin by Monday 15 May 2023.

Assessment Criteria:

• Articulates research question/problem being addressed
• Links question or problem to experiences and learning arising from the on-Country intensive
• Articulates research methodology and format for the research project
• Provides clear argument in response to the question or problem
• Identifies and acknowledges sources and materials, with priority given to Indigenous authorship where possible
• Communicates with clarity, precision and accuracy

Assessment Task 3

Research Project

Brief Description: Students will complete a research project on a question or topic of their choice arising from their experience during the on-Country intensive.

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

Weighting: 60%

Word limit: 4,200 words. Footnotes should be used for referencing of sources. All references should be in the style required by the current edition of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Release: Students are encouraged to begin thinking about potential research projects from the beginning of the course. However, the topic must have a clear link to experience arising from the mid-semester on-Country intensive. Students are encouraged to discuss their ideas with the course convenor and fellow students. Research project topics must be approved by the course convenor no later than the end of Week 8.

Due date: 5pm Monday 22 May 2023 via Turnitin. Late submission (ie without an extension) is permitted, although late penalties will apply. Late submission (without an extension) is permitted, although late penalties will apply. Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted.

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

Assessment Criteria:

• Articulation of research question/problem being addressed
• Persuasiveness of argument in response to question or problem
• Structure and logical development
• Quality of critical analysis
• Breadth and depth of relevant research across a variety of sources, with priority given to Indigenous authorship where possible
• Clarity of communication and quality of written expression
• Referencing and compliance with AGLC

A rubric for this assessment will be made available on the Wattle site.

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.

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 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 (in addition to feedback orally delivered at the time of presentation assessments) will be provided online 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