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

Law

2024 Semester One (1243) / Semester Two (1245) (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). 
You will be assessed on this section of the course (20%). 

2.Legal Writing: your focus will be on the language used, and the structures of different forms of legal writing for Part II courses at law school. You will consider what constitutes good academic writing and you will practise using the structures and strategies of effective legal analysis. 
You will be assessed on this section of the course (45%). 

3. Communication: you will actively contribute to class discussions with your classmates and practise the skills of informed dialogue, and presenting persuasive argument/counter-argument. You will be assessed on this section of the course (35%). 

                                                
                                             

Course Requirements

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

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
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 3.2)
  2. Demonstrate appropriate and effective oral and written communication strategies . (Capability 6.1 and 7.1)
  3. Use effective writing techniques and styles appropriately pitched for purpose and audience. (Capability 6.1)
  4. Develop a strategy for extracting legal principles from judgments. (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  5. Analyse hypothetical fact scenarios to identify the rights and duties attaching to different parties and the questions of law arising from these facts. (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  6. Identify and analyse the individual elements and sub-elements of legal rules derived from statue and common law and apply these legal rules to the material facts of hypothetical scenarios to generate reasoned conclusions. (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  7. Interact constructively in a group setting valuing different perspectives to augment critical thinking skills. (Capability 6.1, 7.1 and 8.1)
  8. Demonstrate principled decision making. (Capability 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Online Test #1: Legal Research 10% Individual Coursework
Online Test #2: Legal Research 10% Individual Coursework
3. Case Note 10% Individual Coursework
4. Analysis Essay 35% Individual Coursework
5. In-class oral discussion and reflection 35% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Online Test #1: Legal Research
Online Test #2: Legal Research
3. Case Note
4. Analysis Essay
5. In-class oral discussion and reflection
This course is assessed by Coursework ONLY :                                                             
      
                             1. complete BOTH Legal Research Quizzes
                   AND ALSO
                             2. submit all written work on the legal writing assessments by using these two online tools before you upload them  
                                                     (i)  Turnitin (first) then 
                                                    (ii) Grammarly.com (second)
                             3. complete your written workshop activity journal at each of workshops 2-8



Workload Expectations

NOTE: Your class timetable and your assessments on this course are very different from all of your other Part II core courses. 

Please read the following very carefully

1. ENROLMENT           

  • Enrol in the same group / workshop time for BOTH semesters 1 and 2.
  • If you do not your enrolment will be DROPPED and you may then lose your preferred workshop time.

2. COURSEWORK ASESSMENTS

This course has 100% coursework assessments (no exam)  :  

  1. Legal Research (20%) 2 x online quizzes open for up to 4 weeks. NO EXTENSIONS ARE GRANTED FOR ANY QUIZZES AT LAW SCHOOL
  2. Legal Writing and Communication (80%) 3 x writing and communication skills assessment
  • Case Note 10%
  • Analysis Essay 35%
  • Communications Skills/participation in workshop activities 35%
You will forfeit 5 % out of the allocated 35% for any / all workshop(s) you do not attend as you will not be able to complete the in-class activity.
                                                            

3. COURSE STRUCTURE

  • Part 1: Legal Research includes:      a) one lecture - see times/venues  below - Introduction to Legal Research b) five x online self-study modules, and c) two mandatory quizzes all to be completed in semester 1. Lectures in the first week are scheduled as follows - CHOOSE ONE SESSION TO ATTEND:
  • 27th Feb Tues 1-2 Algie lecture theatre, 27th Feb Tues 3-4 Algie Lecture theatre , 28th Feb Wed 12-1 Stone lecture theatre,29th Feb Thurs 12-1 Stone lecture theatre  
  • Part 2:  Legal Writing and Communication includes:     eight  x two-hour, in-person workshops (which are NOT RECORDED). You attend one workshop every second week of semester 1 and again in semester 2 until mid semester break. 
  • CHECK YOUR TIMETABLE FOR YOUR GROUP NUMBER AND CLASS TIME.

- Each workshop is two hours long and will have a maximum of 22 students. 

- Your Legal Writing instructor and classmates will be the same for all 8 workshops. 

- You can use LAW 298 to get to know other law students in a more relaxed small group learning setting. 

No Recordings

Workshops are NOT RECORDED. This is run in a small group seminar format so that you can talk freely and openly about your experiences as a law student.

Making Connections with other Law Students

On this course you will work closely together in a small group of about 20 students who will also be starting Law School at the same time...you therefore have much in common already. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance on campus is required at scheduled workshops to complete and receive credit for components of the course.

Workshops will NOT be available as recordings.

Workshops are scheduled on alternating weeks i.e. every second week.

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.

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.

Students have commented that they did not appreciate how helpful doing the activities was to support their other courses. I will therefore add even more in-class activities and have, this year, attached marks to their completion.  

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 will be four class reps - one for each day of the week that classes are offered (Tues-Fri). Details to follow.

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

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.

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.

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 19/02/2024 12:28 p.m.