Law and Social Movements considers the inter-relationship between law, lawyers, and socio-political struggles within Australia and beyond. This course reflects the ANU College of Law’s commitment to law reform and social justice within the curriculum by allowing students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the theoretical, historical, social, and political aspects of law reform and legal change.

The course will cover questions such as:

• How does law contribute and respond to social change?
• How is law and legal change shaped by social, political, and economic contexts?
• What do we mean when we talk about ‘social movements’ and ‘social justice’?
• How has law been mobilised in social movements?
• What is ‘strategic litigation’, and what role does it play?
• What roles do lawyers play in social movements?
• What are the limits of law when it comes to creating social change?
• How can law be engaged to promote/pursue social justice?

The course links issues of social justice at a local and national level within Australia to regional and global struggles. As an example, considering claims for First Nations sovereignty and self-determination, we may look at how this takes shape within Canberra and the ACT, and draw links with matters at a Federal level, before also looking across borders to Asia, the Pacific, and beyond. By situating law reform and social justice within local, national, and global contexts, we are encouraging students to expand and develop their critical legal thinking across boundaries and state-based contexts.

This course introduces students to socio-legal and "law in context" methodologies. This involves thinking about law in its social, spatial, and political dimensions, with theory and concepts stretching across disciplines.

We will consider key cases and legal battles, but by setting these within their socio-political contexts, students will critically evaluate the role of lawyers as agents of social change and the significance of courts as arenas for political disputes.

The course will help students develop intellectual and professional skills of benefit to the College’s existing Law Reform and Social Justice programme (LRSJ). While it is not necessary for students undertaking this course to also take part in the LRSJ (or vice versa), key components of learning activities and assessment tasks have been designed to build competencies in students which will strengthen LRSJ initiatives. Some of the case studies in this course will draw from current and previous student contributions to LRSJ, providing opportunities to explore and critique the broader theoretical, political and social significance of these efforts. 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Design a considered and informed strategy for advancing a group project directed at law reform and social change.
2. Construct and communicate clear and persuasive written and oral arguments about the relevance of context and history to thinking about law and legal institutions.
3. Gather and analyse data that generates knowledge about a social issue and the potential of law to respond to that issue.
4. Synthesise understandings of the history, social and political character of legal change.
5. Reflect upon, and analyse using independent, critical thinking, the moral and ethical content of law as it impacts on social change.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, 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/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Extenuating circumstances: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/extenuating-circumstances-application

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of grades policy: https://law.anu.edu.au/grading

Assessment Reviews and Appeals: https://law.anu.edu.au/assessment-review-and-appeals

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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The ANU Academic Integrity website (https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills/academic-integrity ) provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as providing clear guidance on the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies.

The following resources may also be useful:

• The ANU Library's Libguide (https://libguides.anu.edu.au/generative-ai ) is a valuable resource for gaining a comprehensive understanding of AI's role in academia.

• The ANU Academic Skills site (https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills ) provides useful information to ensure that you leverage AI responsibly and effectively.

• The ANU College of Law Academic Integrity and Misconduct site (https://law.anu.edu.au/academic-integrity-and-misconduct ) provides content related to legal implications, ethical guidelines, and considerations when dealing with AI in the context of law.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Law and Social Movements: Theories and Methods	In line with the University’s recording policy, lectures, seminars and lectorials will be recorded and made available for students on Echo360. However, lecture recordings are only an additional resource and they should not be taken as a substitute for regular online attendance. If a recording does fail, there is no guarantee a replacement recording will be provided.
2	Law Constructing Race: Civil Rights, History and Legal Ethics
3	‘Nothing About Us, Without Us’: The Disability Rights Movements
4	Space and Place in Social Justice Movements	Assessment Plan Due
5	The Role of Courts and Judges in Social Movements
6	Lawyering for Change: Cause Lawyers, Radical Lawyers, Professional and Ethical Implications.
7	Class Symposium	Students to present assessment task 2
8	The Idea of the Environment enters Law: Are Environmental Lawyers Movement Lawyers?
9	Beyond Walls and Cages: Abolitionist and No Borders Movements
10	Labour Movements and Justice at Work
11	Feminist Movements, Feminist Theories and Law
12	Social Movements and Legal Education

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
Course Plan	10 %	15/08/2024	30/08/2024	1,4
Mid Semester Symposium	40 %	17/09/2024	08/10/2024	2,4,5
End of Semester Research Project	50 %	31/10/2024	*	2,3,4

* 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
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• 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

The teaching in this course will consist of a weekly one-hour seminar and two-hour workshop from Week 1-12. The workshops will not be recorded. The workshops are designed to be interactive and participatory and are a key educational component of the course. There are assessment tasks directly linked to the activities held during the workshops. As such, non-attendance can significantly impede the students’ chances of satisfying the learning outcomes for this course. Students rely on ANU’s Echo recordings of seminars at their own risk.

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

Course Plan

Details of Task: Students are to write a plan for their mid-semester symposium (Task 2) which draws from the theory and methods introduced in the first three weeks of the course. It is not expected that students will strictly follow this plan. The purpose of this exercise is to build momentum and help students succeed with their later tasks by creating a clear strategy for the group activity and an opportunity to receive early feedback and guidance. This assessment task addresses learning outcomes 1 and 4.

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

Weighting: 10%

Release: Instructions will be made available on Wattle in Week 1.

Word Limit: 500 words. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Submission Requirements: Specified in the assessment instructions. Written submission must be made with a 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing and page numbers on each page. Your submission must be made in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files will not be accepted.

Due Date: 5pm, Thursday 15 August 2024. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply. 

Estimated Return Date: Friday 30 August 2024

Assessment Criteria: A complete assessment rubric will be made available on Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Mid Semester Symposium

Details of Task: Students work in groups to create a podcast/story map/blog post/zine/short film (or similar) which applies some of the central methods and theories of the unit to a social issue of their choice. Their contributions are shared amongst the class and then presented at a mid-semester symposium. Their mark will consist of a group work component based on the work produced (40%) as well as an individual reflection component (60%). This assessment task addresses learning outcomes 2, 4 and 5.

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

Weighting: 40%

Release: Instructions will be made available on Wattle in Week 1.

Word Limit: For the groupwork component: Podcast/ Film/ Audio-Visual: 10 minute maximum. Zine/ Blog/ Visual only: 10 mins maximum

reading time. For the individual reflection: 750 words including references. ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Submission Requirements: Specified in the assessment instructions.

Due Date: 5pm, Tuesday 17 September 2024. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply. 

Estimated Return Date: Tuesday 8 October 2024

Assessment Criteria: A complete assessment rubric will be made available on Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

End of Semester Research Project

Details of Task: Students are to conduct independent research, gather and synthesise data and apply key theories to create a law reform proposal, or submission for a public hearing, or media/public education campaign, or design for a new organisational body. This task requires use of specific readings and content discussed in class, and students should develop scholarly arguments into a creative and practical research project. This assessment task addresses learning outcomes 2, 3 and 4.

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

Weighting: 50%

Release: Instructions will be made available on Wattle in Week 7.

Word Limit: 2,000 words. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Submission Requirements: Specified in the assessment instructions. Any written submission must be made with a 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing and page numbers on each page.

Due Date: 5pm, Thursday 31 October 2024. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply. 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: Official end of semester results release date.

Assessment Criteria: A complete assessment rubric will be made available on Wattle.

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. You must ensure that you upload the correct document on the specified submission due date and time. Any document modified after the due date and time will either incur a late penalty or will NOT be accepted. 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

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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission is not guaranteed. Please ensure that you have reviewed your submission carefully before you submit.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students