LAW 3527 - Public Law Internship Programme

North Terrace Campus - Summer - 2015

The course places students in "internships" with public law offices for a period of 22 days in total (semester 1 and 2) or 25 days (Summer semester). Semester 1 and 2 enrolments involve two intensive weeks over non-teaching weeks eg summer or winter break, followed by one day per week over the semester (with each day being a 71/2 hour day) or five weeks intensive over the summer semester. The internships enable students to build on their understanding of the theory of public law by gaining an appreciation of its practical operation. The course aims to give depth and context to students existing knowledge of public law. The course will begin with an orientation seminar. Students will be required to complete an agreed research task under the supervision of the course coordinator. The research task will be negotiated with the student and the course coordinator, and will build on the work the student completes during their internship. It is expected that students will also be involved in day-to-day activities of their internship office and gain a broad understanding of the operation of public law generally.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code LAW 3527
    Course Public Law Internship Programme
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Law School
    Term Summer
    Level Undergraduate Law (LLB)
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites LAW 2504
    Restrictions Available to LLB students only. Enrolment is by selection only, please consult with Course Coordinator for eligibility.
    Course Description The course places students in "internships" with public law offices for a period of 22 days in total (semester 1 and 2) or 25 days (Summer semester). Semester 1 and 2 enrolments involve two intensive weeks over non-teaching weeks eg summer or winter break, followed by one day per week over the semester (with each day being a 71/2 hour day) or five weeks intensive over the summer semester. The internships enable students to build on their understanding of the theory of public law by gaining an appreciation of its practical operation. The course aims to give depth and context to students existing knowledge of public law.
    The course will begin with an orientation seminar. Students will be required to complete an agreed research task under the supervision of the course coordinator. The research task will be negotiated with the student and the course coordinator, and will build on the work the student completes during their internship. It is expected that students will also be involved in day-to-day activities of their internship office and gain a broad understanding of the operation of public law generally.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Laura Grenfell

    Cornelia Koch
    Ph: 8313 5713
    Email: cornelia.koch@adelaide.edu.au

    Consultation: Thursday 3-4pm or by appointment
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Students will develop the following skills:
    1. Understand and appreciate the ethical dimensions of the role of lawyers, and the functioning of law and legal systems
    2. Understand legal citation conventions in the course of legal writing
    3. Apply excellent research skills.
    4. Develop a knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of the primary areas of Australian law as required to satisfy the academic standards for admission to practice law in an Australian jurisdiction;
    5. Develop the capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources and experiences;
    6. Have an awareness of the incompleteness of law and the continuous state of development of legal principles; and
    7. Develop development of critical thinking and problem solving skills.
    8. Apply good inter-personal and communication skills in both written and oral communication and independently and as a member of a team.
    9. Further enhance written and oral skills in the explanation of, analysis and synthesis of legal principle;
    10. Develop an ability to critically analyse and apply legislation, rules and cases in context.
    11. Develop the capacity to identify factual and legal issues.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 4, 5, 7, 10, 11
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 7
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 8, 9
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 6, 7
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 9
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 6, 9
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The internships enable students to build on their understanding of the theory of public law by gaining an appreciation of its practical operation. The course aims to give depth and context to students’ existing knowledge of public law. It is expected that students will be involved in day-to-day activities of their internship office and gain a broad understanding of how such accountability organisations operate and of the operation of public law generally.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The University expects full-time students (ie those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of up to 48 hours per week to their studies. In law, this figure represents the bare minimum necessary to an understanding of the concepts covered. Students in this course are expected to attend all lectures throughout the semester plus one seminar session each week. Please refer to Access Adelaide for your timetable and enrolment details. http://www.adelaide.edu.au/access/ There is an expectation that all allocated reading for the week is completed and that students attend the seminars prepared to actively participate in the problem solving activity. 
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    Specific Course Requirements
    The course places students in "internships" for a total period of 25 days, with each day being a 71/2 hour day).
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Item % of final mark Due date Length Redeemable Learning Outcomes
    Portfolio – Part 1 – Agreed research task/essay 70% The due date will be upon completion of the internship negotiated between the student and the course co-ordinator. However, all work must be in, at least, 2 weeks after the end of the teaching semester. 3500 words No 1 - 7
    Portfolio – Part 2 – 3 x Diary summaries 30% The first of these summaries must be submitted in the first 4 weeks of the internship. 500 words each No 1 - 7
    Assessment Detail
    The Portfolio
    The portfolio has three components:

    (1) an agreed research task/essay (approximately 3500 words) (worth 70%);

    (2) 3 x 500 word diary summaries to be emailed during the course of the internship that identify and analyse (i) how the internship is helping to develop their legal skills; (ii) the applicable law; and, (iii) the effectiveness of the legal processes they are observing/interacting with. (worth 30%).
    The first of these summaries must be submitted after the first two intensive weeks of the internship so that feedback can be provided to assist in the preparation of subsequent summaries and preparation of the research essay.

    Upon completion of your internship, you will be required to hand up Parts 1 and 3 of the portfolio on a negotiated date.

    1. The Agreed Research Task
    The subject of your research task will be negotiated with the subject co-ordinator. Ideally the focus of this research task/essay should be a practical one relating to your internship.

    For example, if you are asked to research and write a paper for the organisation, you may use this as the base of your task/essay as long as you have the organisation’s permission to do so. This permission is important, especially where the material you are looking at is of a confidential nature.

    Or you can use your experience as the basis of your paper – eg. What are the limits of the Ombudsman’s powers? Why?

    Your research task/essay must have a legal focus and include legal analysis.

    The due date for the portfolio will be negotiated between the student and the course co-ordinator. In general the rule is that all work must be submitted at least before the commencement of the next semester.

    Students may re-submit only the essay for academic cause (more than 45%). Other parts of the portfolio cannot be resubmitted.

    Students are reminded that a conceded pass (45-49%) in this course does not count as a pass in the course for the purposes of the LLB (see the relevant academic program rules). If a student receives a conceded pass in this course, they may do further work on their essay and resubmit it. In this case, their essay will be remarked, and if the new mark on the essay raises their overall mark to a passing grade, the student will be awarded 50% for the course.

    Grade Descriptors for the Essay:

    Fail 0-49
    • Does not develop coherent and rational arguments
    • Demonstrates fundamental errors of understanding of key legal principles and concepts
    • Minimal evidence of research to support argument
    • Absence of legal analysis and reflection on practical experience
    • Demonstrates limited analytical and evaluative skills
    Pass 50-64%
    • Adequate articulation of argument
    • Demonstrates a basic understanding and application of analytic concepts and theoretical        concepts
    • Minimal adherence to citation style
    • Adequate relevant research informing the argument
    • Basic understanding of that reading
    • Minimal reflection on practical experience
    • Insufficient legal analysis and reflection
    • Adequate skills in written expression and presentation
    Credit 65-74
    • Demonstrates a high level of understanding of the relevant legal materials
    • Shows a thorough understanding of relevant legal materials
    • Demonstrates some critical legal thinking and evaluative skills
    • Adequate legal analysis
    • Adequate reflection on practical experience
    • Adequate skills in written expression and presentation
    Distinction 75-84
    • High standard of understanding of the relevant legal materials with some original                    and sophisticated perspectives
    • High level of insight and legal analysis
    • High level of reflection on practical experience
    • Broad ranging legal research skills
    • Evidence of high level of critical legal thinking
    • Well developed analytical and evaluative skills
    • Developed skills in written expression and presentation

    High Distinction 85-100
    • Outstanding level of understanding and interpretation
    • Outstanding level of reflection on practical experience
    • Compelling, well-supported and tightly structured legal arguments
    • Broad ranging research and original and sophisticated thinking
    • Highly developed written communication skills
    Submission
    PRESENTATION OF ASSIGNMENTS

    Students must retain a copy of all assignments submitted.
    1. All assignments must be submitted electronically via Turnitin. This means that all papers will be electronically checked for plagiarism.
    2. The Portfolio must:
      • Be footnoted (substantive footnotes will be included in the word count)
      • Be double-spaced and paginated
      • Have a bibliography appropriate for the topic
      • Adhere to the word limit.
    ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES FOR REFERENCING

    Students must use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.

    RETURN OF ASSIGNMENTS AND FEEDBACK

    Assignments will be returned to students within 2-3 weeks of the due date with written feedback.
    Students must not submit work for an assignment that has previously been submitted for any other course.

    Late Submission: 5% of the total mark possible will be deducted for every 24 hours or part thereof that it is late, including each day on a weekend. For example, an essay that is submitted after the due date and time but within the first 24 hour period, and that has been graded at 63%, will have 5% deducted, for a final grade of 58%. An essay that is more than 24 hours late will lose 10%, etc. Hard copy submissions made after 5.00pm on a Friday will be assumed to have been submitted on the next business day and will be penalised accordingly.

    Word Length: Assignments which exceed the allocated length (word length or page limit) will be subject to a penalty of 5% of total marks possible per 100 words or part thereof (ie with a word limit of 3,000, an essay graded 63% will have 5% deducted if it is 3001 words long, for a final grade of 58%, 10% if it is 3101 words long, etc). Words are calculated including all footnotes and headings within the text but excluding cover page information. Quotations and all referencing information are included in the word count.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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