• Offered by ANU Law School
  • ANU College ANU College of Law
  • Course subject Laws
  • Areas of interest Human Sciences
  • Work Integrated Learning Projects
  • Academic career PGRD
  • Course convener
    • Prof Jolyon Ford
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Offered in First Semester 2024
    Second Semester 2024
    See Future Offerings

This capstone course draws together areas of knowledge and skills developed across the Juris Doctor program through the planning and execution of a substantial, professionally focused, research project. In consultation with the Convenor, students identify a project that addresses a social problem of their choice that incorporates, or impacts, multiple areas of law. The project does not need to be completed in a workplace, however, the project must address a complex, real-world problem. The project outcome should be presented in a professional format, for example:

  • a report to an organisation, such as the United Nations
  • an academic journal article
  • a law reform submission 
  • an article for a legal practice publication 
  • a design for a legal technology application as a solution to the research problem 
  • any other professional format that is approved by your Convenor

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Synthesise legal knowledge and skills gained throughout the Juris Doctor program and develop solutions to solve complex social problems.
  2. Reflect critically on theory and law in practice.
  3. Plan and execute a professionally focused research project addressing a real-world problem.
  4. Communicate the research project and its outcomes persuasively in oral and professional written formats.

Work Integrated Learning

Projects

This Capstone course draws together areas of knowledge, skills and professional values students study across their degree through the planning and execution of a substantial research project and reflection. Students are required to identify a complex problem requiring legal analysis. The research project may be undertaken in a range of forms, including a research paper, legal advice or a law reform style.  


Students are provided with the with the opportunity to deeply engage with the content, Work both independently and collaboratively as required, and evaluate and reflect on feedback to develop personal, professional and ethical capability across a range of legal disciplines.

Indicative Assessment

  1. The proposed means of assessment for this course will provide students with at least two pieces of assessment, including one piece during the semester. This course is a JD capstone course and will include a research project in a professional practice context. More information about the means of assessment, including the relationship between the assessment and the learning outcomes of the course, will be available in the Class Summary and on the course WATTLE page. (100) [LO 1,2,3,4]

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 semi-intensively with compulsory contact hours of 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. 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.

Inherent Requirements

Not applicable

Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must be studying a: Juris Doctor (MJD) and have completed or be completing five 1000 or 6100 level LAWS courses and have completed 120 units towards the program.

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.

Preliminary Reading

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.

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
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2024 $5280
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2024 $7080
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

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.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

First Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
3835 19 Feb 2024 26 Feb 2024 05 Apr 2024 24 May 2024 In Person View

Second Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
8847 22 Jul 2024 29 Jul 2024 31 Aug 2024 25 Oct 2024 In Person N/A

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions