This course is offered to Bachelor of Laws (Honours) students in the final or penultimate semester of study in their program. 

In consultation with the convenor and teachers, during the first three weeks of the course, students identify a substantial individual or group research project that addresses a complex problem of their choice.

The research project may be undertaken in a range of academic or professional settings. Those settings may include, but are not limited to, legal practice, social justice projects, public policy projects and/ or independent legal research projects (including academic journal article or law reform submission). 

To develop their knowledge and skills, students will engage in a range of learning activities, including working both independently and collaboratively, arguing, evaluating and reflecting on feedback to develop personal, professional and ethical capability across a range of legal disciplines. 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Review, analyse, and synthesise knowledge from primary and secondary legal sources to identify and provide solutions to complex legal and justice problems.
2. Interpret and critically evaluate the nature of law and its social and ethical impact on society, at a local, national, and/or international level.
3. Undertake critical and technical legal research to access a range of legal materials, literature databases, and other online sources, and apply legal or interdisciplinary research methodologies to evaluate and synthesise findings.
4. Communicate to a variety of legal and non-legal audiences in a range of written and other formats.
5. 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.

Research-Led Teaching

The convenor will use his legal research and policy / industry outreach experience to help students understand how to translate academic insights into appropriate forms within their chosen professional context.

Required Resources

There is no prescribed textbook for this course. Readings may be made available on Canvas two weeks prior to the course commencement date.

Recommended Resources

If AGLC citation is required for the chosen professional form (it may not be), citations are to be done via the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association Inc, 4th ed, 2018) available at: http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/mulr/aglc

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

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

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/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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The ANU Academic Integrity website 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 is a valuable resource for gaining a comprehensive understanding of AI's role in academia.

• The ANU Academic Skills site provides useful information to ensure that you leverage AI responsibly and effectively.

• The ANU College of Law Academic Integrity and Misconduct site 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	The Convenor will work with students in this course (mostly on a 1:1 basis, i.e. individually) to assist them to conceive of, design and complete the major task (Capstone project) and minor task (associated Self-Reflection).There are two compulsory classes: Week 1: Tuesday 22 July 2025, 11am-1pm, Phillipa Weeks Library (Law School). You must attend this initial session. Week 7: Tuesday 16 Sept 2025, 11am-1pm, online by Zoom: compulsory, 10%-weighted oral presentation of 6-8 minutes (see Assessment Tasks in this outline). The Convenor will have several 1:1 individual meetings with students throughout the Semester, arranged at times that are mutually convenient.

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. MyTimetable (MyTT) tutorial allocations are done on a first-come, first-served basis. If you hold a current EAP stating that you require priority selection, you will need to contact the College Student and Education Support team before MyTT opens.

If you are unable to secure a spot in your preferred timeslot, we recommend enrolling in another tutorial and joining the waitlist (indicated by a heart). If spots become available, they are automatically chronologically allocated to those on the waitlist.

Should an activity in MyTT clash with another, please contact the College Student and Education Support team with the course and activity details.

Please note that work commitments will not be considered as a reason for requesting a change to your allocation/s. It is expected that students make themselves available on weekdays for tutorials and seminars.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Project Outline	0 %	07/08/2025	14/08/2025	1
Project Progress Report	0 %	19/08/2025	*	1,2,3,4
Project Oral Presentation	10 %	16/09/2025	16/09/2025	1,2,3,4
Main Project Output	70 %	30/10/2025	*	1,2,3,4
Reflection	20 %	06/11/2025	*	4,5

* 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 ‘Canvas’ 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

Spending at least 8 hours per week on planning, research, and reflection will be required to complete this course and its assessment successfully.

This is a course in reading, thinking and design of a professional product.

To further enhance your learning in this course you may also find it useful to regularly access the course site and participate in the discussion there.

Examination(s)

There is no final examination for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Project Outline

Details of Task: The project outline is a formative assessment task aimed at consolidating the conceptualisation, design and planning for the project, as discussed with the convenor in the first meeting in Week 1 and/or in any other individual meetings before the due date.

Nature of Task: Optional. Failure to complete the outline will not result in a penalty but will be a missed opportunity for early feedback.

Weighting: 0%

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

Word Limit: 800 words. The outline can be in note form.

Due Date: Week 3: 5:00pm, Thursday 7 August 2025

Extensions: Late submission is permitted by arrangement directly with the Convenor. Formal extension application with the College is NOT required.

Estimated Return Date: Week 4

Assessment Criteria:

1. Overview of the chosen project (substance and proposed professional output form) and legal issues involved;

2. Integration of knowledge obtained in the degree program to date;

3. Identification of source material

Assessment Task 2

Project Progress Report

Details of Task: Students will meet as a class online and work together to overcome any challenges or difficulties in the preparation of the main output (paper or other project form). This is a terrific opportunity to receive guidance from classmates and Convenor concerning any issues in relation to the project.

Nature of Task: Optional, but highly encouraged. If you don't intend to complete this task, you must notify the convenor at least 1 week in advance.

Weighting: 0%

Due Date: Week 5: 11am-1pm, Tuesday, 19 August 2025.

Extensions: Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Estimated Return Date: Feedback will be given in the class.

Assessment Criteria: Each student will have 5 minutes to discuss the progress of their project, and this will be followed by questions.

Assessment Task 3

Project Oral Presentation

Details of Task: Students are to give a short (6-8 min) online presentation that addresses the assessment criteria below and explains to the convenor and their peers the chosen complex problem, the writing (or other) style to be adopted, the form of the output and its connection to a chosen professional context, and how answering the complex problem requires synthesis of knowledge and skills from across their entire program of compulsory and elective courses. The presentation will also demonstrate identification of relevant literature and will discuss methodological approaches to answering the question posed.

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

Weighting: 10%

Due Date: Week 7: 11am-1pm, Tuesday, 16 September 2025 (by Zoom)

Extensions: Due to the nature of the task, late submission (without an extension) is NOT permitted. Where you have not been granted an extension, any submission after the due time will not be accepted and a mark of zero will be awarded.

Estimated Return Date: Feedback given in class at the time of the presentation, and mark to be made available by week 11, via the Canvas site.

Assessment Criteria: An assessment rubric will be available in Canvas.

Assessment Task 4

Main Project Output

Details of Task: Students will design a question or questions about a complex legal problem of their own choosing and can select how the form of their project output reflects their chosen professional context (e.g. policy brief/law reform style, or legal advice style for a practitioner or client audience). More information about this assessment will be available in the first class session and progressively over Canvas and in 1:1 consultations.

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

Weighting: 70%

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

Release Date: Students choose their own research topic in/by Week 1, and refine it in the early weeks of the course.

Word Limit: 4,000 words. Word limit for Postgraduate Course: (If applicable) 4,500 words. The ANU School of Law’s excess word penalty policy can be found here.

Due Date: 5pm, Thursday 30 October 2025.

Extensions: Late submission (without an extension) is permitted, although 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 via Turnitin.

Assessment Criteria: An assessment rubric will be available on Canvas.

Assessment Task 5

Reflection

Details of Task: Students will submit a written reflection on the experience in this course and the challenge of posing and answering your own question and the choices involved in deciding on a form or format that relates to a chosen professional context.

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

Weighting: 20%

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

Word Limit: 1,000 words. The ANU School of Law’s excess word penalty policy can be found here.

Due Date: 5pm, Thursday 6 November 2025.

Extensions: Late submission (without an extension) is permitted, although late penalties will apply.

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

Assessment Criteria: An assessment rubric will be available on Canvas.

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 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.

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 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 all ANU students