Course Title: Research and evaluate legal research method
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2016
Course Code: JUST5748
Course Title: Research and evaluate legal research method
School: 650T Vocational Business Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6141 - Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice
Course Contact: Robert Sheen
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5759
Course Contact Email: robert.sheen@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Alana Ryan
Email: alana.ryan@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 50
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to source, correctly cite and document legal and legislative information relevant to a wide range of areas of legal interest in order to support the work of a legal office, practice or associated context.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VU21632 Research and evaluate legal research method |
Element: |
1.Analyse a fact situation, identify the research questions raised and identify and propose the legal categories to which those questions relate. |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Analyse a fact situation in relation to case study material and identify and discuss the research questions raised with reference to subject matter and persons involved. |
Element: |
2.Analyse and evaluate sources of legal information |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify sources of legal collections and examine and discuss the legal materials held by those libraries |
Element: |
3.Determine and apply the format for the citation of sources of legal information |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Identify and detail conventions in legal citation |
Element: |
4.Determine and apply techniques for searching for legal information in computer databases |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Distinguish between the different ways of searching for computer-based information, including full text searching and hypertext navigation, and apply to practice |
Element: |
5.Identify, access and utilise secondary sources of legal information |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Identify and source relevant textbooks and legal encyclopaedias |
Element: |
6.Determine and apply methods of searching for case law |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1 Determine and apply methods of finding case law on a particular subject |
Element: |
7.Determine and apply methods of searching for legislation relevant to case study material |
Performance Criteria: |
7.1 Determine and apply methods of finding legislation on particular subject/s, taking into account any amendments made to that legislation |
Element: |
8.Determine and apply methods of finding delegated legislation |
Performance Criteria: |
8.1 Specify and apply methods of finding delegated legislation on particular subject/s, taking into account any amendments made to that legislation |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom-based activities.
The self-paced activities will be delivered through various technology platforms and may include your contribution to wikis and discussion threads, reflective journals, quizzes and interactive sessions.
The collaborative classroom-based activities will include group discussions, group problem-solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.
We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.
Teaching Schedule
Induction Session
Prior to training commencement a program level induction session will be conducted that comprises the following:
- Program overview and requirements
- MyRMIT/Blackboard
- Overview of assessment requirements
- Pre-Training Review including:
- Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers
- Assessment of current skills and knowledge
- Competency/Grading Criteria
- Plagiarism
- Appeals
- Extensions
- Feedback
- Privacy
- Submission requirements
- Resubmission policy
- Where to get support
- Student responsibilities
The Teaching Schedule for this course is as follows. (Please note that this schedule is subject to change)
Week | Week Commencing | Topics | Activities/Assessment |
1 | 08/02/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
2 | 15/02/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
3 | 22/02/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
4 | 29/02/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
5 | 07/03/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
6 | 14/03/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
7a | 21/03/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
24/03/16 - 30/03/2016 | ***Mid-Semester Break*** (No scheduled classes) | ||
7b | 28/03/16 | No scheduled classes (self-directed study) | |
8 | 04/04/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
9 | 11/04/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
10 | 18/04/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
11 | 25/04/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz Research Assignment Due |
12 | 02/05/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
13 | 09/05/16 |
TOPICS:
In Class Learning Activity:
|
Online Quiz |
14 | 16/05/16 | Revision and Practice Test | |
15 | 23/05/16 |
Class Test |
Supervised Open Book Class Test |
16 | 30/05/16 | Feedback Sessions |
The nominal hours associated with this course are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course. This may include not only scheduled classes but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne Unversity Law Review, 3ed, 2010) |
References
Jay Sanderson and Kim Kelly, A Practical Guide to Legal Research (Lawbook Co, 3ed, 2014) |
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
In order to demonstrate competency in this unit, you must provide evidence of:
• identifying and categorising research questions arising from a particular fact situation
• identifying and applying legal research methods and techniques relevant to a particular subject or case
• documenting researched information using correct citation and documentation formats
• knowledge of legal research methods and techniques including documentation and citation protocols
Context for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
• activities are related to a legal practice context
• activities are related to laws, regulations and procedures currently operating across the jurisdictions relevant to this qualification
You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
Feedback
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed.
You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning effectiveness and final performance in the course.
Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.
Assessment Tasks
This course is co-delivered and co-assessed with the following competencies: [DELETE LINE IF NOT APPLICABLE HERE]
The assessments for this course have been designed to allow participants to apply their learning to particular simulated work scenarios and demonstrate their competence in a variety of ways.
TASK 1 (Due Date: End of Week XX )
For this assessment task you
TASK 2 (Due Date: End of Week XX)
For this assessment task you
TASK 3 (Due Date: End of Week XX)
For this assessment task you
You must satisfactorily complete all assessment tasks in order to achieve competency.
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Submission Requirements
You should:
• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
• Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks (both hard copy and soft copy).
• Use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship when you submit work for assessment at RMIT University. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you must declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on Blackboard.
• Include a footer (appearing on each page of your assessment) with your name, student number, assessment title, course code, course title and page numbers. For example, Callie Harvey, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.
Late Submission Procedures
You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days. For more Information go to: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
The application form may be obtained from: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf
Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for Special Consideration. Applications for Special Consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination. For more Information go to: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w
The application form may be obtained from: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf
Resubmissions (VET Programs):
If your Course Assessment Task is assessed as not yet satisfactory, you will be allowed one resubmission opportunity only. Your teacher will provide feedback detailing what you need to do in order to satisfactorily complete that task, and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest score you may receive if your resubmission is deemed satisfactory is 50% of the total marks allocated for that task.
If your task is still deemed to be not yet satisfactory then you must apply in writing to your Program Manager outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in that course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as practical.
Adjustments to Assessment
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which an adjustment to the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31
Marking Guide (Competency):
You must demonstrate through your performance in the Course Assessment Tasks that you have all the required skills and knowledge as specified in the unit of competency (course) you are studying,
Your submitted assessments are the evidence used to determine if you have met all critical aspects of the assessments, and if any critical aspects have not been met, then you cannot be deemed competent in this course.
On each assessment task you will receive feedback against the competency requirements for that task, and the outcome of the task will be recorded as either satisfactory (all requirements have been met) or not yet satisfactory (one or more requirements has not yet been met).
Only when all assessment tasks have been assessed as satisfactory will you be deemed competent in this course.
Marking Guide (Grading)
Only after achieving competency in this course will you receive a grade corresponding to your level of performance in the course.
The reported Final Grade will be one of the following:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
Further details regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview