Course Title: Prepare and produce complex legal documents

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2012

Course Code: JUST5176C

Course Title: Prepare and produce complex legal documents

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6106 - Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice

Course Contact : Doug Gourlay

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5944

Course Contact Email:doug.gourlay@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

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 performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use either a range of advanced functions within at least one software package or to integrate functions from at least two software packages, to produce complex legal documents.

All aspects of legal practice may be subject to a range of legislation, rules, regulations and/or codes of practice relevant to different job roles and jurisdictions.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBLEG401A Prepare and produce complex legal documents

Element:

Develop precedents and macros for document design

Performance Criteria:

1. Develop and use precedents and macros to ensure consistency of design and layout.

2. Evaluate and amend templates and macros to ensure document requirements can be met.

3. Link macros as required.

4. Suggest improvements to the design and/or structure of existing documents and facilitate a review process of suggested improvements.

Element:

Establish document design and structure

Performance Criteria:

1. Identify requirements of the task.

2. Select software appropriate to the task.

3. Determine document design and structure.

4. Design and structure document to meet designated criteria.

5. Review existing precedent documents for appropriateness.

6. Build new precedents from existing documents.

Element:

Organise self or others to print documents

Performance Criteria:

1. Print documents as required.

2. Arrange review of documents with designated person.

3. Undertake final printing of documents.

4. Manage any difficulties to produce completed documents within agreed time lines.

Element:

Organise self or others to produce documents

Performance Criteria:

1. Prepare documents using appropriate and available precedent documents according to firm's policies and procedures.

2. Enter and edit relevant data accurately.

3. Use a range of advanced functions to ensure accurate completion of the task.

4. Check documents for spelling, grammar, numeric data and layout.

5. Proofread documents for accuracy of contents and consistency of layout and style.

6. Make modifications to meed required specifications.

Element:

Save file and exit system

Performance Criteria:

1. Save and store document in appropriate directory or folder.

2. Close file and exit application programs without loss of data.

3. Make back-up copies of files in accordance with specified procedures if required.

4. File and store discs/data in accordance with firm's policies and procedures.


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will include class based exercises, demonstrations and observations in order to develop competency including the underpinning skills and knowledge. Formative feedback is provided to the students throughout the duration of the course.

Some learning activities will include a self-directed learning approach. Self-directed learning refers to organised teacher-directed learning acitivities that you will undertake independently, either as individuals or with other students. This may include a workplace research, library assignments, field work and work placements.

This unit contains employability skills.


Teaching Schedule

Week Beginning Content & Element of Competency Assessments Requirements
Week 0 - 25 June Introduction; Blackboard; Competency & Employability Skills; OHS; Correct technique; Organise self and others to produce documents   Text
Week 1 - 2 July Required Skills & Knowledge -  relevant legislation, rules, regulations, codes of practice and research resources
 
  Text
Week 2 - 9 July Required Skills & Knowledge Assessment 1  Text
Week 3 - 16 July

Establish document design and structure; Formatting legal documents

    Text
Week 4 -  23 July Establish document design and structure; Style guides     Text
Week 5 - 30 July Student study week    
Week 6 - 6 Aug All elements of competency: Topic 2 Working with templates & Topic 3 Automating templates     Text
Week 7 - 13 Aug All elements of competency: Topic 4 Extending your table skills  Task 1  Text & Printing Credits
Week 8 - 20 Aug All elements of competency: Topic 5 Creating newsletter layouts Task 2   Text & Printing Credits
  Mid semester break 27 Aug - 2 Sept    
Week 9 - 3 Sept All elements of competency: Topic 6 Working with long documents   Text
Week 10 - 14 Sept

 Establish document design and structure; Business letters

   Text
Week 11 - 17 Sept  All elements of competency: Topic 7 Complex mail merge    Text
Week 12 - 24 Sept  All elements of competency: Topic 7 Complex mail merge    Text
Week 13 - 1 Oct  All elements of competency: Topic 8 Automating repetitive tasks  Task 3 Text & Printing Credits
Week 14 - 8 Oct All elements of competency: Topic 9 Designing Forms     Text
Week 15 - 15 Oct  All elements of competency: Topic 9 Designing Forms  Task 4 Text & Printing Credits
Week 16 - 22 Oct Special consideration assessments    
Week 17 - 29 Oct Feedback    


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

The Tilde Group, Be Competent in Complex Legal Documents Microsoft Word 2010, Tilde Publishing

9780734607867


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of the requirements in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks, for example:

• assessment of examples of legal documents drafted by the candidate
• review of evaluated and amended templates and macros
• review of printed documents
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of accepted codes of practice relevant to the workplace
• review of design and structure of documents
• evaluation of filed and stored discs/data.knowledge of software applications

Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
 


Assessment Tasks

Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of competency to be deemed competent.

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievements of each element of competency in a flexible manner. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Critical aspects of assessment


Evidence of the following is essential:

  • ensuring that confidentiality and security of information is maintained
  • producing and presenting accurate documents which conform to specified standards within agreed time lines
  • using advanced functions within at least one software package, in document production
  • knowledge of relevant legislation, rules, regulations, codes of practice and research resources

 Assessment 1 - in class

This assessment consists of short answer questions relating to ergonomic requirements, work organisation strategies and energy and resource conservation techniques and relevant legislation, rules, regulations, codes of practice and research resources. Note that this assessment must be completed in class.

Portfolio of evidence

Students will complete a portfolio of evidence which will focus on the practical component of developing and using advanced functions within MS Word 2010. Each portfolio document is to be completed individually and submitted to the correct Dropbox on the Blackboard for this course with a correctly completed and signed Assignment Cover Sheet by 5 pm Friday of the scheduled week, refer to Teaching Schedule. Failure to submit tasks correctly will result in NYC (Not Yet Competent) for that task. Note that Element of competency: Check Accuracy from the competency Develop keyboarding speed and accuracy is co-assessed within these portfolio documents. 


 You will also be required to submit documents in hard copy (further instructions will be given during the class time). You may also be required to demonstrate how you have completed tasks via questioning and observation.

Submission requirements
Assessment tasks need to be submitted via Blackboard and in hard copy. Failure to submit correctly via Blackboard result of NYC will be recorded; Element of competency: Save file and exit system.

You should:

- Ensure that you submit assessments before the end of the scheduled week. If your performance in the assessment is affected by unexpected circumstances, you should consider applying for Special Consideration. Information on the process and application forms is available at http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ls0ydfokry9rz website.
- Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (Hard copy and soft copy).
- Each page of your assessment should include a footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, BUSM 6232C Design and produce business documents, Page 1 of 2.
- Printing credits will be required for assessments.


Marking Guide

Vocational Education and Training (VET) is based on current industry needs and the focus on preparing you for the workplace. Because VET courses are based on practical application of knowledge and skills, they are based on a system known as ‘competency based training’ (CBT). So when you are assessed in VET it is about whether you are competent to do the job, as well as having a firm grasp on the knowledge and skills required to do that job, as opposed to traditional curriculum based education settings that are often based on knowledge retention.

You need to demonstrate you are competent in each element of the unit of competency you are studying.

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you whether you are competent or not and how well you are performing. Once competent in all elements of the unit you receive a competency grading.

Please refer to the Final Grades table below.

Marking Guide (Grading)

After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit; this gives you the opportunity to have the standard of your performance formally recognized against industry standards and employability skills.

The grading according to the following criteria:
1.Level of Independence, Initiative, Enterprise and Performance of Work Task
• Works to safely complete tasks in accordance with workplace requirements.
• Performance conforms to all industry standards and can adapt to new situations.
2. Demonstrated Breadth of Underpinning Knowledge and a Willingness to Continue Learning
• Demonstrates an understanding of key concepts and underpinning knowledge of the set task and is able to learn while working.
• Applies these understandings in task performance.
3. Techniques & Processes, Technology Skills and Problem Solving
• Performs all technical skills/procedures to the standard required by industry, including correct use of equipment and technology.
• Demonstrating an ability to solve simple problems while following processes.
4. Work Organisation, Planning and Self-Management
• Demonstrates a sound understanding of the benefits of effective work organisation, while clearly articulating the different stages in planning and managing own time.
• Applies sound planning and organisation skills in the performance of a task.
5. Communication, People Networking, Language and Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork
• Demonstrates an ability to use a range of communication and interpersonal skills appropriate to the workplace.
• The ability to proofread and edit work prior to submission.
• Able to follow complex instructions both written and oral.


Final Grades Table:
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
 


Assessment Matrix

Prepare and produce complex legal documents Ass 1 Portfolio 1 Portfolio 2 Portfolio 3 Portfolio 4
Element of competency          
Establish document design and structure   Yes Yes Yes Yes
Develop precedents and macros for document design     Yes Yes Yes
Organise self or others to produce documents Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Organise self or others to print documents   Yes Yes Yes Yes
Save file and exit system   Yes Yes Yes Yes
Develop keyboarding speed and accuracy          
Check accuracy   Yes Yes Yes Yes

Course Overview: Access Course Overview