LAWHONS 716A/B : Legal History

Law

2024 Semester One (1243) / Semester Two (1245) (20 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Historical analysis of problems currently facing the law in Aotearoa New Zealand with reference to both English sources and indigenous developments.

Course Overview

In this seminar, we aim to deepen our understanding of the relationship between law and society through discussion of law in historical context.

In the first semester, we will explore select legal historical developments in political, economic and social context. In preparation for the research essay and presentation, we will also discuss finding and interpreting legal historical sources, writing a research essay, and presenting research. Essays may be written on any aspect of law in history that interests you.

In the second semester, students are required to present their research to the seminar group.

Course Requirements

Restriction: LAW 356 To complete this course students must enrol in LAWHONS 716 A and B

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate knowledge of select aspects of the legal history of England and Aotearoa New Zealand (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 4.1 and 6.2)
  2. Identify and analyse relationships between laws and the societies in which they develop (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1 and 7.2)
  3. Critically evaluate the idea of the rule of law in historical context (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.2, 7.1 and 7.2)
  4. Engage critically with a variety of legal historical sources (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1 and 8.2)
  5. Communicate effectively their research both orally and in written work (Capability 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Research essay proposal 5% Individual Coursework
Research essay 75% Individual Coursework
Presentation 10% Individual Coursework
Seminar discussion and participation 10% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Research essay proposal
Research essay
Presentation
Seminar discussion and participation
Students who have completed LAWGENRL 423, the Legal History elective course, should contact the Course Director before enrolling in the Honours seminar course. Whilst there are no common assessment tasks, there is some overlap in the required readings for LAWGENRL 423 and LAWHONS 716. 

There will be an opportunity to submit a draft research paper for feedback. 

Workload Expectations

Together, LAWHONS 716 A and B make up a 20-point course. There will be around 48 hours of seminar classes on this course. The guideline for the total workload for this course is 200 hours.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Participation in class discussion requires regular attendance, though unavoidable absences will be excused. In order to facilitate discussion, seminars will be not recorded.

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 in a previous course suggested it would be helpful to see a few completed Legal History seminar papers to get a sense of what to aim for. We will look at a few examples early in the course. 

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.

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 03/11/2023 03:29 p.m.