LAWHONS 746A/B : Concepts in Law and Security

Law

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

Course Prescription

An in-depth analysis of theoretical concepts related to law and security. The aims of the course are to introduce students to key concepts in the relevant academic discourse, to explore the ways in which these concepts frame discussions regarding law and security in the post-9/11 era, and to examine the extent to which those concepts influence policy, practice and discourse.

Course Overview

This seminar is concerned with theoretical concepts related to law and security, and how those concepts manifest in selected post-9/11 security measures and debates about those security measures. The focus is on security measures that are directed towards countering terrorism.

Although terrorism and laws related to terrorism have existed for considerably longer, this area has become especially topical since September 11, 2001. Rightly or wrongly, in the post-9/11 era, most people are now accustomed to the idea that we live in a dangerous world, which necessitates the existence of special counter-terrorism laws to protect us. Such laws frequently grant discretion to executive actors to intervene preventively, and to intervene in ways that may compromise other values, such as liberty and due process. The issue is figuring out when, if ever, and if so, under what circumstances and conditions, these values should give way to the need for security. By the end of the year, you should be in a better position to consider these kinds of questions, and to critically evaluate various post-9/11 counterterrorism legislation and security measures.

The first semester will consist of seminars led by the lecturer, which will involve discussion of readings that address various topics such as the liberty/security trade-off, the normality/emergency dichotomy, deference, due process and constitutionalism. The second semester will consist of seminar presentations by students on their chosen topics of research.

Course Requirements

To complete this course students must enrol in LAWHONS 746 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. Understand and apply the major theoretical frames in the field of law and security. (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  2. Define and conduct an independent research project. (Capability 6.2, 8.1 and 8.2)
  3. Understand and interrogate primary legal sources and legal scholarship. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
  4. Communicate one's own ideas and research in a clear, accurate and structured manner. (Capability 6.1, 6.2, 7.1 and 7.2)
  5. Articulate and critically analyse the broader impact of counterterrorism and security law on the wider community and different groups. (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 5.1 and 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Class particpation 10% Individual Coursework
Presentation 10% Individual Coursework
Seminar research paper 80% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Class particpation
Presentation
Seminar research paper

Workload Expectations

Officially, an honours seminar is a 20-point course - that is 48 hours of class time. According to the University,  as a general guide, you should expect a workload of three hours outside of the classroom for each hour spent in class. That means that the guideline for the total workload for this course is 200 hours. However, given how an honours seminar operates, the reality is that the workload will be different depending on the time of year. In semester 1, you will likely need to spend the several hours per class in order to be properly prepared to participate in discussion. In semester 2, unless you are presenting that particular week, this will not be necessary. You should, however, be working on your research project steadily throughout the year.


Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance at seminars is required to receive credit for certain components of the course. Seminars will not be recorded.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

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.

The reading for this course during semester 1 will be provided via CANVAS.

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.

I will look to  maintain a PDF set of course materials.

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 01/11/2023 02:53 p.m.