This unit allows a student to critically interrogate a research question or problem in an area of law relevant to their chosen course of study. The unit provides students the opportunity to apply and modify investigative, analytical and critical skills gained and developed through coursework units and BLB5513 Advanced Legal Research and Writing, to the critical analysis of a legal issue through a substantial written dissertation. Established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice will be critiqued in the context of a scoped investigation and recommended solutions will be contextualised to a specified community/organisation in an ethical and socially responsible manner. In this unit, students are required to create a minor thesis (15,000 words) on an approved topic related to their law studies. In addition to their thesis, students will make an oral presentation on their research work.
Prerequisites
LLW7900 - Research Methods for Law Thesis BLB5513 - Advanced Legal Research and Writing
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Learning Outcomes
| 1. | Identify and scope a research problem and design and implement a research plan to investigate the issue through analysis, critical review and interpretation of relevant data; | ||
| 2. | Apply evaluative and critically reflective research techniques and professional judgement to conduct competent, defensible, ethical and socially responsible research; | ||
| 3. | Conceptually map the intersection between theory and practice with intellectual independence; | ||
| 4. | Extrapolate and interpret legal research implications, knowledge and skills to provide solutions to complex legal problems related to local and global communities; and | ||
| 5. | Compose a scholarly minor thesis presenting a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
Assessment
| Assessment type | Description | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis | Written minor thesis (15,000 words) | 100% |
Required reading
Australian Guide to Legal Citation 3rd edition
Melbourne University Law Review (2010)
Melbourne University Law Review Association Inc
Design and Conduct of Research in Tax, Law and Accounting 2010
Margaret McKerchar
Thomson Reuters
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