SoCIETIE Initiative courses are open to students from any degree who are seeking to create positive change in their communities.

The SoCIETIE Initiative cultivates the skillsets and mindsets to tackle complex challenges, from local community issues to global concerns. In a transdisciplinary learning environment, students, academics and practitioners will learn from each other to deepen our understanding of the world and turn knowledge into actions through collaboration with partners in the community sector and beyond.

SoCIETIE @ the ANU McCusker Institute

The SoCIETIE Initiative at the McCusker Institute champions Social Change, Impact, Engagement, Transformation, Inclusion & Equity through an inclusive and flexible curriculum model.

See https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/ for information about the McCusker Institute, and a guide on upcoming opportunities.

KNOTs (to Know the Nature Of Things..)

This course is unlike any other course at the University. You are empowered to shape your own learning journey by choosing modules, which we call KNOTs, aligned with specific areas of social value. KNOTs cover the skills and the big ideas needed to create change in our community, and the opportunity to develop these skills in supported engagements with community sector partners. KNOTs are informed by expert academics and practitioners on topics such as transdisciplinary problem-solving, creating social impact and change, engaging with diverse stakeholders, harnessing disciplinary knowledge, critical thinking, and incorporating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.

See https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/ for a schedule of upcoming KNOTs.

LAWS4001 - Unravelling Complexity

The 4000-level course is specifically for students enrolled in the ALLB and prepared to apply their legal knowledge to issues broader societal issues in collaboration with students from other areas of the university. The selection of topics can be tailored to explore areas of interest related broadly to the legal system and/or bring legal perspectives to complex societal issues.

Apply to be part of SoCIETIE

Students must complete an Expression of Interest to enrol in the SoCIETIE Initiative courses. Once your Expression of Interest is received, if you have not previously taken the course you will be invited to an Induction session and then provided with a permission code to enrol in the course.

See https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/ to submit an Expression of Interest.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. compare, contrast and apply concepts, arguments and evidence to transdisciplinary problems across scales
2. model the qualities and approaches that support inclusive collaboration for social engagement across difference;
3. assess relationships and contextual dynamics to influence change across fields, disciplines and/or knowledge systems;
4. explore alternative approaches and potential effectiveness of actions through self-evaluation and critical reflection, and;
5. provide and situate legal perspectives and methodologies on broader societal issues

Research-Led Teaching

The SoCIETIE Initiative @ ANU McCusker Institute brings in leading ANU researchers from all Colleges at ANU, and places an emphasis on topics broadly around Social Change, Impact, Engagement, Transformation, Inclusion & Equity through an inclusive and flexible curriculum model in a transdisciplinary learning environment.

Examination Material or equipment

This course does not have an examination.

Required Resources

There is no prescribed textbook for this course. Students should be able to complete this course using the materials and selected readings made available through Canvas. The course will also draw on resources from the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Library Guide at ANU Library.

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

In this course, there are many formal and informal processes to collect formative feedback to help submit the best work you can. These include regular opportunities with teaching staff for specific feedback, and most assessment items are staged so that you can receive feedback as you go. You should also make the most of informal feedback, such as through other members of your group and examining the work of former students. When marks are returned, they will be accompanied with minimal summative feedback to justify the mark. You are welcome to ask your marker for more feedback if you would like or need. 

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 Canvas page. Students are required to access the Canvas 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 Law School Academic Integrity and Misconduct site provides content related to legal implications, ethical guidelines, and considerations when dealing with AI in the context of law.

Use of Generative AI Tools in Assessment

All work submitted for assessment at the ANU Law School must be your own independent and original work.

This means that generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools must not be used to draft assessment content, unless explicitly instructed by the course convenor. While limited use of AI tools to support learning may be permitted, for example, to assist with expression, structure, or the refinement of ideas, AI must not be used to generate primary text, legal analysis, or substantive content.

Inappropriate use of AI may constitute a breach of the Academic Integrity Rule 2021. For law students, academic integrity breaches may have serious professional consequences, as breaches must be disclosed to the relevant admissions authority.

Students are at university to develop critical skills in legal reasoning, analysis, and written communication. This requires active engagement with assessment tasks and the drafting and refinement of one’s own work. While AI tools may assist with polishing expression or organisation, they must not replace your reasoning, judgment, or authorship.

Used appropriately, AI can be a helpful tool for editing, planning, and limited refinement. However, AI should only be applied to small portions of text. Submitting work generated in large part by AI increases the risk of poor academic outcomes and academic integrity concerns.

Where AI or other assistive technologies are used, students must comply with all disclosure requirements that are available on the course Canvas site. 

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 1-2: SoCIETIE Induction	Course pathway proposal
2	Week 3-10: Completion of workshop activities [KNoTs]	KNoT Completion Evidence
3	Weeks 3-10: Collaborative SoCIETIE project	Project Completion Evidence
4	Weeks 11-12: Course Wrap-Up	Shareable Artefact

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 / seminars so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the MyTimetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Course Pathway Plan	0 %	07/08/2026	*	1,2,4
Evidence of KNoT completion	0 %	26/10/2026	*	2,4
Shareable Artefact	100 %	30/10/2026	09/12/2026	1,2,3,5

* 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

For all courses taught in any mode (whether face to face or online), the ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy 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 are no examinations in this course.

Assessment Task 1

Course Pathway Plan

Details of Task: This is a hurdle task. You are to attend a Course Introduction in Week 1 and complete a plan for which KNoTs you plan to take. This is an individual task designed to help plan your pathway through the course. This hurdle task should take approximately 10 hours to complete.

The Assessment Guide forms part of the assessment information for this course and should be read together with this class summary.

Nature of Task: Compulsory hurdle task. Students must complete this task to pass the course. Failure to complete this task may result in failure of the course.

Weighting: 0%. This is a hurdle task.

Due Date: 5pm, Friday, 7 August 2026 (Week 2). The plan may change through the program. Late submission with an extension is permitted.

Estimated Return Date: Ongoing. Once submitted, a SoCIETIE Fellow will check your plan and provide feedback if required.

Assessment Criteria: Not yet complete, Complete with Revision, Complete without Revision. See the Assessment Guide on Canvas for requirements for completion.

Assessment Task 2

Evidence of KNoT completion

Details of Task: Students must complete Completion Evidence for the completed KNoTs and Project, based on their Course Pathway Plan.

The Assessment Guide forms part of the assessment information for this course and should be read together with this class summary.

Nature of Task: Compulsory hurdle task. Students must complete this task to pass the course. Failure to complete this task may result in failure of the course.

Weighting: 0%. This is a hurdle task.

Release: KNoT Completion Evidence instructions will be released progressively on Canvas between Weeks 3 and 10.

Due Date: 5pm, Monday, 26 October 2026 (Week 12). All KNoTs should be complete by Week 11. A milestone check-in will be available in Week 6 based on your plan. Late submission with an extension is permitted.

Estimated Return Date: Ongoing. Completion status and feedback will be provided through Canvas as each item is reviewed.

Assessment Criteria: Not yet complete, Complete with Revision, Complete without Revision. See the Assessment Guide on Canvas for requirements for completion.

For LAWS4001 students, KNoT completion is a compulsory hurdle requirement. Students may also choose to use elements of their KNoT Completion Evidence as part of the Shareable Artefact assessment, up to a maximum contribution of 20% of the final mark. Further details about this option will be provided in the Assessment Guide on Canvas.

Assessment Task 3

Shareable Artefact

Details of Task: This is an individual task. Produce a major work that connects your experience in the course and the course themes to a contemporary complex problem in SoCIETIE. The design prompt for this task is to: generate a critical or creative artefact that can be consumed in 6-8 minutes.

Law students undertaking LAWS4001 must produce a Shareable Artefact that analyses a complex legal, legal policy, law reform or justice-related problem. The artefact must demonstrate legal research, engagement with relevant legal or regulatory sources, and a clear application of course themes to a legal issue. A general social, policy or systems issue will not be sufficient unless the legal dimension is central to the artefact.

Students will have an opportunity to informally share their ideas in the final week. Students may also complete redeemable milestone tasks during the semester to receive feedback and support development of the final Shareable Artefact.

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

Weighting: For LAWS4001 students, this task makes up to 100% of the final grade, with redeemable milestones.

Redeemable milestone tasks: Students may complete milestone tasks during the semester to receive feedback and support development of the final Shareable Artefact. These milestone tasks are optional. If submitted, they may contribute to the final Shareable Artefact mark as set out in the Assessment Guide on Canvas. If a student does not submit a redeemable milestone task, the final Shareable Artefact will carry the relevant weighting for that component.

The redeemable milestone tasks are:

• Shareable Artefact Scoping Plan: up to 10%, due Monday, 21 September 2026.
• Evidence of KNoT Completion: up to 20%, due Friday, 16 October 2026.
• Presentation: up to 10%, during Week 12.
• Final Shareable Artefact: at least 60%, due 5pm, Friday, 30 October 2026.

The Assessment Guide forms part of the assessment information for this course and should be read together with this class summary.

Submission Requirement: The final Shareable Artefact must be submitted through the relevant Canvas submission point. The submitted artefact must be in a format that allows the marker to access and retain the work for moderation, review and appeal purposes.

Where the Shareable Artefact is submitted in oral, video, audio, performance or another non-written format, the submission must be recorded or otherwise retained in a format that allows subsequent moderation, review and appeal.

Due Date: 5pm, Friday, 30 October 2026 (Week 12). Late submission with an extension is permitted. Please be aware that if you are in your final course(s), any late submissions may delay your conferral date.

Estimated Return Date: Wednesday, 9 December 2026.

Assessment Criteria: See the Assessment Guide on Canvas for further information. Assessment will include consideration of the identification and analysis of a complex legal, legal policy, law reform or justice-related problem; use of relevant legal, regulatory, policy or scholarly sources; quality of legal reasoning and critical analysis; application of course themes to the legal issue; and clarity, coherence and suitability of the artefact for its intended audience.

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

Students are bound to the Code of Practice for Student Academic Integrity. This includes provisions and directions on issues such as academic integrity, plagiarism and academic misconduct. All students should be familiar with the Code. 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

• Maximum Submissions: Students can submit up to three times per assessment.

• Final Submission Counts: Only the last uploaded version will be marked — provided it is uploaded before marking begins.

• Late Submissions: If submitted after the due date, the final version will still be marked, but late penalties will apply (unless an extension has been approved).

• No Submissions After Return Date: Once the return-of-assessment date has passed, NO submissions will be accepted.

• Marking Already Started: If a marker has already begun marking a version, that version will be the one assessed — even if a newer one is uploaded later.

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