LAWHONS 789 : Dissertation
Law
2021 Summer School (1210) (40 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
A dissertation is an extended piece of writing which presents the answer to a research question, the topic and nature of which is agreed with your supervisor. You are expected to read widely on the topic which interests you, select a question which raises significant issues and use literature to to inform your findings, discuss their significance and reach a conclusion. Your supervisor will provide guidance about the nature of the research and the standard expected, as well as ongoing advice throughout the process, and appropriate feedback. The responsibilities of both the student and the supervisor, along with the exact format of the dissertation are set out for you in the Guidelines on the Presentation and Submission of the LLB (Hons) Dissertation document.
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 |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Undertake a focused, systematic study on a legal topic or issue in answer to a question of their own choosing. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1 and 3.2)
- Present Present the results of that study in a written form suitable for an interested, but not necessarily informed, legal reader. (Capability 1.1, 2.3, 4.1 and 5.2)
- Research with a degree of autonomy within a supervisory relationship. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 and 5.2)
- Demonstrate and apply Demonstrate and apply legal research methodology and project management skills. (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
- Demonstrate critical and informed review, analysis, consolidation and synthesis skills to propose a solution to a complex issue. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 6.2 and 6.3)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100% | Individual Coursework |
| 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Dissertation | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This is a 40-point course. The guideline for the total workload for this course is 400 hours.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled meetings, or through other means of contact, in order to maintain progress and complete components of the dissertation.
Learning Resources
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.
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.
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 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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, 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 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.