LAW5627 - Judgment and decision-making - 2017

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Law

Unit guides

Offered

Prato

  • Term 2 2017 (Day)

Synopsis

"Judgment and Decision-Making" explores the principles of human perception, judgment and decision-making that underpin the legal system. Students will learn about the heuristics and shortcuts that people use to arrive at judgments and decisions, and the possible biasing effects on lawyers, juries, eye-witnesses, and judges. The course challenges students to discover best approaches to advocacy, when voluminous information must be presented to triers of fact. It highlights creative opportunities for evidence, in any matter of law that depends on what members of the relevant population think, believe, or intend to do. Classes are designed to foster high quality discussion and analysis providing an environment conducive to peer interaction and feedback with an emphasis on formative activities.

Outcomes

On completion of this subject, students will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge and understanding of the principles of human perception, judgment and decision-making used in the legal system;
  2. Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information about the heuristics and shortcuts that people use to arrive at judgments and decisions;
  3. Conduct research into the best approaches to advocacy, when voluminous information must be presented to triers of fact; and
  4. Use cognitive, technical and creative skills to apply legal principles to specific problems arising from our understanding of the principles of judgment and decision-making.

Assessment

Attendance requirement: students who fail to attend at least 80% of the classes in this unit (ie who miss 3 or more classes) will receive a result of 0 N for the unit. Students who are unable to meet this requirement due to severe illness or other exceptional circumstances must make an application for in-semester special consideration with supporting documentation.

  1. Case analysis (1,500 words): 20%
  2. One take-home examination (6,000 words): 80%

Workload requirements

Students enrolled in this unit will be provided with 36 contact hours of seminars per semester whether intensive, semi-intensive, or semester-long offering. Students will be expected to do reading set for class, and to undertake additional research and reading applicable to a 6 credit point unit.

Chief examiner(s)