LAW 3601 - International Law Study Tour B

North Terrace Campus - Quadmester 4 - 2018

As study tours may vary their focus each year, this course is designed to have flexible topics each year depending on the focus of the tour and will be used for the enrolment in the course for the Adelaide Law School.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code LAW 3601
    Course International Law Study Tour B
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Law School
    Term Quadmester 4
    Level Undergraduate Law (LLB)
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Intensive
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites LAW 1504
    Quota Enrolment in the course is by an application process as places are limited depending on funding
    Assessment Assessment in this course will include a combination of the following: Seminar presentation 10%, Reflective Journal (3 x 500 words) 30% ,Research essay(2000 words) 40% and Law Reform Proposal (1000 words) 20%.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Nengye Liu

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Explain the basic principles of international law and the legal system(s) of the country/ies visited, and articulate the main differences and similarities between these systems and the Australian legal system.
    2 Evaluate legal information, and critique the operation of the law from an international perspective.
    3 Structure and sustain concise and cohesive written arguments for a legal audience.
    4 Conduct legal research and analysis at an intermediate level independently in an academic environment.
    5 Analyse the operation of the legal system(s) of the country/ies visited from policy and international perspectives, and in the context of social and cultural diversity.
    6 Reflect on their ability to work effectively and intensively in a team environment, and adapt to professional life in a different country.
    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)
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    MyUni will be used to provide students with information about the
    required readings for the preparation sessions and for each visit on the
    study tour (where applicable).
    Online Learning
    Students will be expected to contribute to the Course Blog.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Seminars will be supported through interactive classes with broad
    discussions of theory and practice. Students will be required to do the
    prescribed readings before attending seminars and reflect on the
    seminars throughout the course.
    Workload

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

    Pre-departure seminar: 4 hours (23 October 2018, 12:00-14:00 (Napier 210) and 29 October 2018, 12:00-14:00 (Ligertwood 214)In-country based seminars: 28 hoursSite visits: 15 hoursSet readings and preparation for class: 60 hoursPreparation and writing of assignments: 50 hoursTotal: 157 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    Two Pre-departure seminars on Chinese Law: 
    - Tuesday 23rd October 2018 at 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (Napier seminar room 210)
    - Friday 26th October 2018 at 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (Piper Alderman Moot Court, Ligertwood Bld)

    All scheduled events in China are subject to late change depending upon the availability of guests and arranged site tours.
    Schedule
    Date Class Time Event Time
    Nov 19
    Monday
    Law and Development in China
    (Prof ZHENG Ge)
    9:00-12:00 Opening Ceremony & Welcome Banquet 18:00 -20:00
    Nov 20
    Tuesday
    Chinese Financial Law
    (Prof XU Donggen)
    9:00-12:00 Visit SJTU Xuhui Campus 14:00 - 16:00
    Nov 21
    Wednesday
    Chinese Competition Law
    (Prof HOU Liyang)
    9:00-12:00 Visit Colonial part of Shanghai 14:00 - 16:00
    Nov 22 
    Thursday
    China and International Law of the Sea
    (Dr LIU Nengye)
    9:00-12:00 Global Lawyers in Shanghai Workshop 14:00 - 16:00
    Nov 23
    Friday
    Chinese Foreign Investment Law
    (Prof XU Xiaobing)
    9:00-12:00 Visit Zhong Lun law firm 14:00 - 16:00
    Nov 24
    Saturday
    Day Tour (Suzhou) 9:00 - 18:00
    Nov 25
    Sunday
    Day Tour (Zhujiajiao) 9:00 - 18:00
    Nov 26
    Monday
    Chinese Company Law
    (Prof SHEN Wei)
    9:00-12:00 Visit Shanghai Arbitration Commissoin 14:00 - 16:00
    Nov 27
    Tuesday
    Chinese Foreign Trade Law
    (Prof HU Jiaxiang)
    9:00-12:00 Visit Minhang District Court 14:00 - 16:00
    Nov 28
    Wednesday
    Chinese IP Law
    (Prof LIU Yongpei)
    9:00 -12:00 Final Exam 14:00 - 17:00
    Farewell Banquet 18:00 - 20:00
  • 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 TaskTask TypeLengthValueDue DateLearning Outcomes
    1 Participation summative, individual, not redeemable course duration 10% course duration 1,2,3,4,5,6
    2 Reflective Journal summative, individual, not redeemable 1500 words 20% 8 December 2018 1,2,3,4
    3 Final Exam summative, individual, not redeemable 3 hours 70% 28 November 2018 3,4,5,6
    Total 100%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Approval of Results by Board of Examiners
    Students are reminded that all assessment results are subject to approval (and possible  moderation/change) by the Law School’s Board of Examiners. Assessment  results at the University are not scaled. Under the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, students are assessed ‘by reference to their performance against pre-determined criteria and standards … and not by ranking against the performance of the student cohort in the course’. However, under that same policy, the Board of Examiners (as the relevant Assessment Review Committee for courses at Adelaide Law School) is  required to ‘ensure comparability of standards and consistency’ in assessment. On occasions, the Board of Examiners will form the view that some moderation is required to ensure the comparability of standards and consistency across courses and years, and accordingly provide fairness to all law students. All assessment results are therefore subject to approval (and possible change) until confirmed by the Board of Examiners and posted on Acess Adelaide at the end of each semester.

    Finality of Assessment Grades

    Students are advised that Course Coordinators will not enter into negotiations of any kind with any student regarding changes to their grades. It is irrelevant, in any given circumstance, that only a minimal number of additional marks are required to inflate a student’s grade for any individual assessment item or course as a whole. Pursuant to the University’s Assessment for Coursework
    Programs Policyand the Adelaide Law School Assessment Policies and Procedures, grades may only be varied through the  appropriate channels for academic review (such as an official re-mark).

     
    Moderation

    In accordance with the University’s Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, course coordinators ‘ensure that appropriate marking guidelines and cross-marking moderation processes across markers are in place’ in each course. Procedures adopted by Adelaide Law School to ensure consistency of marking in courses with multiple markers include:

     
    *assurance of the qualifications of markers, and their knowledge of the content covered in each course;
    *detailed marking guidelines and assessment rubrics to assist in the marking of items of assessment;
    *sharing of example marked assessments at various grade bands across markers;
    *reviewing of selected marked assessments from each marker by the course coordinator;
    *comparison of the marks and their distribution across markers;
    *automatic double-marking of all interim assessment receiving a fail grade, and of final assessments where a student’s overall result is a fail grade;
    *the availability of re-marking of assessments in accordance with Adelaide Law School’s Assessment Policies and Procedures.


    Assessment Detail
    Participation 10%: Students are expected to actively participate in all seminars and site visits associated with the study tour. A primary method adotped in this course is sharing experience and demonstrating the capacity to relate the theoretical issues covered in seminars with practical site visits.

    Reflective journal 20%: 3*500 words reflective journal entries. 
    The journal is an opportunity to relect upon the legal and social issues that emerge from the readings, lectures or discussions with colleagues. 

    There is an expectation of 3 entries (500 words).

    Two
    entries will be on distinct legal topics or issues coming from the materials, visits, lectures or discussion. They will explain the topic, using relevant literature where appropriate. A critical relection on the topic is required. Questions that could be addressed include: why is this topic relevant? Are there any cultural or political differences that need to be taken into account in making this assessment?

    One entry will be a final relection on the study tour. How has the tour assissted me to understand the law? What lessons for Australia? Highlight(s) of the trip in terms of my legal education?

    These are formal assessment. They should be structured (introduction, outline of issues, development of argument/observations, conclusion). Their form and substance will be assessed.

    The journal entries will need to be submitted by 16 December 2018.

    Final exam 70%: Details: The Exam will be three hours in duration, with all course materials being potentially examinable. The exam will be open book. Further information regarding the Exam will be delivered to students closer to the date.
    Submission
    The Reflective Journal and Research Essay are to be submitted electronically via MyUni. They need to be submitted to Turnitin, via MyUni site. Marked assignments will be returned to the student in printed form.

    Reflective Journal 20% 
    The journal must be submitted in electronic form to Turnitin through MyUni.
    All references must be appropriately cited in footnotes, in order to acknowledge sources, and avoid plagiarism.
    Students should ensure that when citing material they comply with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.
    Students must not submit work for an assignment that has previously been submitted for this course or any other course.
    A penalty of 5% will apply for each day (or part thereof) that an assignment is overdue.
    A penalty of 5% will apply for every 100 words (or part thereof) by which assignments exceed the maximum word length. Words in excess of the word limit will not be read.
    Students must indicate the word count of each essay on the front cover of their assignments. The word limit does not include footnotes. Footnotes must only be used for referencing, and not for inclusion of substantive content. If the word limit is seriously misstated, this may be regarded as academic dishonesty.
    Assignments will be returned to students within 3 weeks of the due date with written feedback.

    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
    The University Writing Centre provides academic learning and language development services and resources for local, international, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled at the University of Adelaide.

    The centre offers practical advice and strategies for students to master reading, writing, note-taking, time management, oral presentation skills, referencing techniques and exam preparation for success at university through seminars, workshops and individual consultations.

    Lex Salus Program
    Lex Salus (law and wellbeing) is an initiative of the Adelaide Law School aimed at destigmatising mental health issues; promoting physical, mental and emotional wellness; building a strong community of staff and students; and celebrating diversity within the school. It also seeks to promote wellness within the legal profession, through the involvement of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia, the Honourable Chris Kourakis, as the official Patron of the program.

    Students can participate in the Lex Salus program by attending barbecue lunches, pancake breakfasts, knitting and crochet circles, seminars, guest speakers, conferences and other activities. Our Facebook page, website and regular all-student emails promote upcoming events, and have tips and information on wellness.

    Our Lex Salus YouTube channel also includes videos on topics like managing stress, and interviews with LGBTQ lawyers and their supporters which celebrate diversity and individuality. Students who commit to 10 hours of volunteering with Lex Salus in one year can have their service recognised on their academic transcript and through a thank you morning tea with the Chief Justice and law school staff.

    Student Life Counselling Support
    The University’s Student Life Counselling Support service provides free and confidential service to all enrolled students. We encourage you to contact the Student Life Counselling Support service on 8313 5663 to make an appointment to deal with any issues that may be affecting your study and life.
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

    Academic Honesty
    Academic dishonesty is a serious act of academic misconduct. All students must be familiar with the University’s Academic Honesty Policy.

    Academic dishonesty is a serious matter and is treated as such by the Law School and the University. Academic dishonesty (which goes beyond plagiarism) can be a ground for a refusal by the Supreme Court of South Australia to admit a person to practice as a legal practitioner in South Australia.

    Academic honesty is an essential aspect of ethical and honest behaviour, which is central to the practice of the law and an understanding of what it is to be a lawyer.
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.