The aim of this course is to assist first year students with a language background other than English build a strong foundation for participation in legal studies in the English language. The course creates activities designed both to help students to develop a cultural context for their legal studies, to acquire the practical legal skills they will need for their future study and practice and improve their English language skills. The following is an example of the kinds of issues that are addressed and skills that are practised:

• essay writing techniques;
• how to reference and cite correctly;
• techniques to simplify legal writing;
• types of legal research training available and the required research skills;
• examination and assessment advice;
• participating effectively in robust discussion at our National institutions that bring the law to life.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. apply learning from exposure to legal research and studies
2. identify and develop understanding of different assessment types in legal education
3. prepare to participate in various forms of legal and academic discourse
4. reflect on and develop insight on the Australian legal system and institutions

Field Trips

There are four field trips in this course and all costs are covered by the ANU College of Law.

• ACT Supreme Court
• High Court of Australia
• Old Parliament House/The Museum of Australian Democracy
• Parliament House of Australia

Additional Course Costs

Nil.

Examination Material or equipment

Nil.

Required Resources

Nil.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments

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	21 February 2025: 2:00pm - 4:00pmResearch skills and referencing advice.Join Anne Newton and Joshua Bell from the ANU Law Library to learn about what library resources are available, what assistance you can request, the types of legal research training available and the required referencing skills to assist you throughout your studies.	There is no formal assessment for this course. Students must attend six out of eight sessions with week two being compulsory. Venue:  Australian Centre on China in the World, ANU
2	28 February 2025: 2:00pm - 4:00pmAssessment, examination advice and academic integrity.You cannot afford to miss this compulsory session with ANU College of Law, Governance & Public Policy academics Dr Michelle Worthington and Associate Professor Wayne Morgan on how to best prepare for examinations and assessments. Associate Professor Morgan is also the Associate Dean (Education) and will provide you with valuable insight into our assessment process and discuss the importance of academic integrity.	Venue:  Australian Centre on China in the World, ANUThis session is compulsory.
3	6 March 2025: 2:00pm - 4:00pmAdjusting to life at ANU.Join ANU Health Services to discuss effective ways to cope with culture shock and adjust to your new surroundings whilst studying at ANU.	Venue: Kambri Cultural Centre Theatre 2, ANU
4	14 March 2025: 2:00pm - 4:00pmEssay writing techniques and skills to simplify legal writing.Come along and listen to the Law School Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) Coordinator as they provide you with expert advice to assist you in developing the key academic skills and communication strategies that are foundational to all academic activity and ultimately, success!	Venue:  Australian Centre on China in the World, ANU
5	21 March 2025: 2:00pm - 4:00pmACT Supreme Court.Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet ANU College of Law, Governance & Public Policy Associate Professor Heather Roberts. During this session, you will also learn about the role and function of the Supreme Court.	Venue: ACT Supreme Court (Bus departs Law School)Please meet at the Law Foyer, ANU College of Law, Governance & Public Policy, Building 5, ground floor at 1:20 pm.
6	28 March 2025: 2:00pm - 4:00pmThe Museum of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House)Join us for this visit to Old Parliament House, also known as the Museum of Australian Democracy; a national icon, a place of great beauty, magnificent design and historical significance. This experience promises to provide students with incredible insight into Australia’s constitutional law.	Venue: Museum of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House)(Bus departs Law School)Please meet at the Law Foyer, ANU College of Law, Governance & Public Policy, Building 5, ground floor at 1:20 pm.
7	2 May 2025: 2:00pm - 4:00pmParliament House of Australia.Join ANU College of Law, Governance & Public Policy Associate Professor Ryan Goss on this exciting venture to Parliament House where you will get to experience Australia's robust democracy in action. Associate Professor Goss is an expert in Australian public law.	Venue: Parliament House of Australia (Bus departs Law School)Please meet at the Law Foyer, ANU College of Law, Governance & Public Policy, Building 5, ground floor at 1:20 pm.
8	9 May 2025: 2:00pm - 4:00pmHigh Court of Australia.An opportunity not to be missed! Join us on a tour of the High Court of Australia, the highest court in the Australian judicial system.	Venue: High Court of Australia (Bus departs Law School)Please meet at the Law Foyer, ANU College of Law, Governance & Public Policy, Building 5, ground floor at 1:20 pm.

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	Learning Outcomes
Attendance	100 %	1,2,3,4

* 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

Students must attend six out of eight sessions with week two being compulsory.

Assessment Task 1

Attendance

There is no formal assessment for this course. Students must attend six out of eight sessions with week two being compulsory.

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 take-home examinations.

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.

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 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