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

Law

2022 Semester One (1223) / Semester Two (1225) (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 for legal research. These resources cover primary sources of law (case law and legislation) as well as secondary sources (journal articles, textbooks and other materials).
2.Legal Writing: this is not a course about writing for legal practice. Instead your focus is on the language used, and the structures of different forms of legal writing for law school. You will consider what constitutes good legal academic writing  and you will practise using the structures and strategies of effective legal analysis
3. Communication: you will actively contribute to class discussions with your classmates and practise the skills of informed dialogue, presentation, and argument/counter-argument

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. Demonstrate and apply effective legal research strategies including but not limited to using the Moys library classification system (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.2, 4.3 and 5.2)
  2. Demonstrate effective communication strategies (Capability 2.1, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  3. Use effective writing techniques and styles which recognise the significance of both purpose and audience. (Capability 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  4. Develop a strategy for extracting legal principles from judgments (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1)
  5. Practise analysing hypothetical fact scenarios to identify the rights and duties attaching to different parties and the questions of law arising from these facts. (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 4.1 and 4.3)
  6. Identify and analyse the individual elements and sub-elements of legal rules derived from statue and common law. Practise applying these legal rules to the material facts of hypothetical scenarios to generate reasoned conclusions. (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Online Test #1: Legal Research 10% Individual Coursework
Online Test #2: Legal Research 10% Individual Coursework
Essay: Fact and Elements Analysis I 20% Individual Coursework
Essay: Fact and Elements Analysis II 40% Individual Coursework
Oral argument 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Online Test #1: Legal Research
Online Test #2: Legal Research
Essay: Fact and Elements Analysis I
Essay: Fact and Elements Analysis II
Oral argument
You MUST 
1. complete and submit ALL FIVE assessments to be eligible to pass this course;
 and also
2. put both Fact Analysis Essays (I and II) through the following online tools before you submit them for marking: 
(i)  Turnitin (first) then 
(ii) Grammarly.com (second)



Workload Expectations

1. Enrolment 

When you first enrol on LAW 298 you MUST enrol for BOTH semesters AND for the SAME group/workshop slot during both semesters.

2. The LAW 298 Schedule 

The structure and learning approach used for this 10-point course is different from all other courses on the LLB. There are two parts to the course: Part I - Legal Research (On line learning Modules) and Part II - Legal Writing (In-person Workshops)

During the first weeks of Semester One you will study BOTH Parts I and II: 

Part I -Legal Research: you can study these 'self study modules' at any time that your schedule permits. These  are designed as on line-only learning modules. You must then complete two legal research quizzes (10 marks each/total 20%) which will test your understanding of the content in these modules. 

Part II - Legal Writing: from late March you will be timetabled to attend  one, two-hour workshop every SECOND week.  In these workshops you will learn the skills, techniques, and strategies to help you succeed at Law School.  These skills and strategies are relevant and central to assessments in all your other law courses. You are therefore expected to attend all eight workshops.

3. Making Connections

You will work in a small group of about 20 students and so, on this course, you will also be able to make connections with other new law students at Auckland Law School.

4. No Recordings

Workshops are NOT RECORDED. 

This means that you can be comfortable sharing your ideas and can talk freely and openly about your experiences at Law School (subject to your requirements under The Student Charter - see below ).

5. Course Structure and Requirements

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

(i) Legal Research includes: one introductory video and  five on line learning modules. 

You must also complete two on line research quizzes (10 marks each) within the specified deadlines. Each test is 'open' for one month, you can complete it at any time within that month and NO EXTENSIONS ARE POSSIBLE. Unlike other assessments, once the on line test closes, it cannot be reopened.

The content of the Legal Research part of the course is delivered entirely on line and is self paced.

(ii) Legal Writing and Communication includes: eight x two-hour, small group workshops held every second week from the start of semester one until the mid-semester break in semester two. You must complete three assessments for Legal Writing and Communication: two written essays and one oral skills.

Preparation for each workshop is relatively small depending on your existing research, writing and speaking skills levels. The total workload guideline for this course is 100 hours.


and finally ....


You MUST complete ALL FIVE coursework assessments to pass this course

AND 

You MUST put both Legal Analysis writing assignments I and II through grammarly.com before you submit your essay to us for marking.



Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance is required to receive credit for certain components of this course at scheduled, in-person activities/assessments.

There are no recordings made of the small group workshops on this course. 

The course will include in-person, live activities including small group discussions held in a small-group workshop setting.
Attendance on campus is required for the oral presentation skills assessment.
The legal writing and communication skills activities for the course are scheduled as two-hour workshops timetabled every second week.

Online

Attendance is required at scheduled online activities including assessment components of the course.
The course will include live online events including group discussions which will not be recorded.
Attendance on campus is required for the oral presentation skills assessment.
Study material will be released progressively throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning 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.

1. Download: grammarly.com . Using this tool is a requirement for both essays on this course. We recommend that you use this tool for ALL of your written work at Law School.

2. Required Textbooks
The New Zealand Law Style Guide (Third Edition)
The Elements of Style (by William Strunk Jr & E.B. White)

3. Course materials are provided through Canvas in 'Modules' 

4. Bookmark an online legal dictionary (e.g. Blacks Online Legal Dictionary: thelawdictionary.org OR legal.thomsonreuters.com)

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.

Other Information

In order to complete this course, you must submit all five assessments.

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.

The rules in the Student Academic Conduct Statute 2020 apply to this and ALL courses you will study at Auckland University. 

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

There are over 20 small groups on this course so each group will not be asked to select a representative. Instead, we will seek two representatives: one from those groups scheduled in 'week one' and one from 'week two' groups.

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 http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

The small group format of the LAW 298 Writing and Communication workshops gives you a place to build supportive relationships with your peers and your instructor. One important goal of these workshops is to give you a safe, creative, and inclusive environment in which to talk through some of the 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.

There are no tests and no final exam in LAW 298. 

This course is assessed through quizzes and coursework assignments only.
 
THEREFORE the University's rules relating to Aegrotat and Compassionate Consideration DO NOT APPLY.

If you have trouble meeting your assessment obligations, seek advice from your Student Academic and Support Adviser BEFORE the assessment due date.

You MUST complete all 5 coursework assessments to be eligible to pass LAW 298.


Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

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.

Your behaviour in small group workshops must be respectful so that we can create an appropriate learning environment in which ALL students are comfortable and able to participate. 

We therefore encourage you to read the Student Charter and be very clear about your obligations as a student of this University.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 10/02/2022 07:09 a.m.