LAW 298A/B : Legal Research, Writing and Communication

Law

2020 Semester One (1203) / Semester Two (1205) (10 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Legal research, writing, mooting and other requirements, as determined by the Dean of Faculty of Law.

Course Overview

1.Legal Research: you will use a range of print and electronic sources,  systems and processes which are employed in legal research involving case law, legislation, journal articles, and textbooks.
2.Legal Writing: you will consider the language and structure of different forms of legal writing for law school and practise the strategies and habits of effective legal writing and drafting.
3. Communication Skills: you will consider effective styles of argument and presentation, contribute to class discussions,  and negotiate in a convincing and persuasive way with your classmates.

Course Requirements

Restriction: LAW 299 To complete this course students must enrol in LAW 298 A and B

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Laws

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Use the Moys library classification system (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.2, 4.3 and 5.2)
  2. Correctly use citation rules for New Zealand case law, legislation and secondary sources. (Capability 5.1)
  3. Identify and practise using a range of legal databases to find primary sources of law (including reported and unreported case decisions, Acts and other types of legislation) and secondary sources of law (including textbooks and journal articles). (Capability 1.2 and 2.1)
  4. Identify and explain the different structural elements of a case decision and of an Act and follow complex and technical legal language in statutory provisions, case decisions and legal textbooks. (Capability 1.2 and 3.2)
  5. Identify and evaluate strategies for building and enhancing personal well being and success at Law School (Capability 4.1 and 4.3)
  6. Use clear, accurate, precise and concise language in a range of legal writing tasks. (Capability 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
  7. Structure and write logical, coherent and authoritative essays for a range of different tasks involving complex legal issues using reasoned arguments based on relevant legal principles. (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  8. Develop, structure and articulate observations, views, and reasoned arguments in support of questions of law so as to persuade the listener to adopt your perspective on an issue. (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 5.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Online Test: Legal Research 10% Individual Coursework
Online Test: Legal Research 10% Individual Coursework
Case Note 20% Individual Coursework
Essay: Elements Analysis 20% Individual Coursework
Legal Memorandum 20% Individual Coursework
Presentations x 4 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Online Test: Legal Research
Online Test: Legal Research
Case Note
Essay: Elements Analysis
Legal Memorandum
Presentations x 4

1.  This course has no final exam.

2.   All assessments must be completed in order to pass this course. 

Learning Resources

All course materials are provided and will be available on Canvas. 

Workload Expectations

This is a 10-point course. The learning format is different from all other courses on the LLB degree. The skills learnt on this course support you to successfully complete the assessment tasks on your other Part II core courses. 

LAW 298 has two parts: (i) Legal Research and (ii) Legal Writing and Communication.

Legal Research includes: two lectures at the start of Semester one and one library skills activity after which you will complete five online modules and two online research assessments (10 marks each). 

Legal Writing includes: nine, two-hour small group workshops. These start after the mid-semester break in semester one and continue throughout the full academic year. You will meet as a group every second week  and work together on in-class tasks. 

Workshops are not recorded and attendance at all workshops is therefore necessary.  

Whereas preparation for these workshops is minimal, the total guideline for the workload to complete the required research and writing activities for this course is 100 hours.


Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Workshops are not recorded. Attendance is necessary in order to complete the course activities.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course director, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

The small group format of the Part II workshops provides you with an opportunity to create constructive and supportive working bonds with your peers and it provides a safe and inclusive environment in which to tackle some of the wider and challenging issues facing first year law students.  

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a Student Academic and Support Adviser as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

This course has no test under exam conditions and no final exam. It is 100% coursework-assessed and therefore the rules relating to aegrotat and compassionsate consideration do not apply. 


Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 20/12/2019 09:57 a.m.