LAW5051 - Research practicum - 2018

Students are placed as interns with a partner organisation operating in the legal sector and complete a unique research project jointly defined by the partner organisation and the unit convenor. The partner organisations are leading regulatory, law reform, service provision or policy-setting organisations in the legal sector. Students communicate the research findings in the format specified by the partner organisation, such as a consultation paper, report, commentary, manual, submission or speech. The partner organisation provides field supervision, and the faculty provides academic supervision. Students negotiate a project plan with their supervisors, keep a progress journal, and make an oral report on the project and learning outcomes. This unit meets the course requirement to plan and execute a professional or scholarly research project.

At the successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. apply advanced and integrated knowledge, research and cognitive skills to generate appropriate practical and jurisprudential responses to complex legal issues;
2. demonstrate the intellectual skills to justify and interpret theoretical positions and professional conclusions and methodologies;
3. plan and execute a professional or scholarly research project with a high degree of independence and accountability;
4. communicate a clear and coherent exposition of legal and policy issues in ways that are effective for the purpose and the intended audience;
5. collaborate with others on a project in a workplace setting; and
6. make use of feedback to support their professional and personal development.

Negotiated research project: 70%

Negotiated project plan and journal reporting on progress (2000 words): 20%

Oral presentation on project and learning outcomes: 10%

A total of 132 hours of internship at an agency.

PG113