LAW 3506A - Adelaide Law Review part A
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code LAW 3506A Course Adelaide Law Review part A Coordinating Unit Adelaide Law School Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Law (LLB) Location/s North Terrace Campus Contact Up to 2 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites LAW 1501 Incompatible LAW 2027 & LAW 2028 Restrictions Available to LLB students only Assessment Typically to include editorial activities, case notes, participation Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Adam Webster
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
This course focuses on the following themes throughout the year:
Legal Publishing, its Role in Legal Scholarship and the Adelaide Law Review The first classes of this elective will involve an engagement in the literature as to the role of the law review. Since the 1930s articles have been written announcing the death of the law review or, more recently, the need to kill them off.
We will then acquaint students with the Adelaide Law Review, its history and its place in Australian legal scholarship. We will discuss the importance of peer review, the process of managing a law review article from submission to publication and the role of student assistants and their ethical obligations.
The Skilled Editor The remainder of the course will involve developing practical skills associated with the editing of a journal. Students will work with the editors to review and evaluate work. Students will make suggestions as to style, conformity with the citation guide and accuracy of quotation. They will, under the supervision of the editors, liaise with authors and the publisher.
The Budding Author Throughout the course, students will prepare two pieces of written work: a case note on a selected superior court decision in each semester. Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate writing skills associated with legal publishing. The best case note will be considered for publication in the Adelaide Law Review.
Legal scholarship is at the core of the study of law. The learning objectives of this course are numerous but in general students will be engaged in the review and preparation for publication of original legal scholarship. They will be required to critique and evaluate the writing of leading scholars as well as review and reflect upon their own scholarship.
In particular the course will provide students with the opportunity to develop:
1. A detailed knowledge and understanding of the basic principles behind legal academic publishing. This will include the ethical issues relating to peer review and objective assessment of submitted articles to the journal.
2. The skills of assessment across the discipline of law. Students will read and critique submitted articles, case notes and reviews.
3. Good inter-personal and communication skills. This course specifically seeks to develop students’ abilities to work together in an editorial team, communicate with authors through written correspondence, and report to the course coordinator on their editorial work. In addition, students will submit a series of written work for evaluation.
4. To apply a number of skills associated with the production of an edition of the Adelaide Law Review.
5. To critique their own work in terms of both style and substance.University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1, 4 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2, 4 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1, 3, 5 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1, 2 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1, 2 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
TEXT BOOK
There is no textbook for this subject. A number of significant articles have been extracted and may be purchased at Image and Copying. They are also available on MyUni.
Students MUST have a copy of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (third edition). Carry it with you at all timesRecommended Resources
Any further reading to be announced at the appropriate time.Online Learning
As noted above the first 3 weeks materials will be available on MyUni. Subsequent material will also be posted on MyUni. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The seminars are central to the learning-teaching process and provide a forum for academic staff and students to engage together with the material.
Seminar Reading
Before attending their weekly seminar, students are required to consider the assigned material and form a view on the arguments and information presented. In the first weeks this material will be provided to you. Thereafter both the editors and the students will be working through submitted articles.
Often students will be required to undertake library searches for references.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. Students in this course are expected to attend all Seminars throughout the semester each week. In addition to seminars, students should allocate time to private study in the course across the 12 week semester – this includes reading the material, preparing for seminars and undertaking the assessment tasks.Learning Activities Summary
Semester 1 Topic Week 1 Introduction to course, the place of Law Reviews and the Adelaide Law Review Week 2 The role of the Editor Week 3 Article review and editing Week 4 Article review and editing Week 5 Article review and editing Week 6 Writing Case Notes & Case Note Selection MID SEMESTER BREAK Week 7 Article review and editing Week 8 Article review and editing Week 9 Article review and editing Week 10 Article review and editing Week 11 Article review and editing Week 12 Article review and editing – Case note and Files Due Semester 2 Topic Week 1 Introduction Week 2 Article review and editing Week 3 Article review and editing Week 4 Article review and editing (case note selection) Week 5 Article review and editing Week 6 Article review and editing Week 7 Article review and editing Week 8 Article review and editing Mid-semester Break Week 9 Article review and editing Week 10 Article review and editing Week 11 Article review and editing Week 12 Article review and editing – Case note and Files Due -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
There are four components to the proposed assessment in Adelaide Law Review A and B
Assessment Item % of final mark Due date Group or individual assessment Redeemable Learning Outcomes Editorial Activities 50% Not applicable Individual No 1-5 Case Note 25% Case selected week 6 (semester 1)
Due Monday 2pm, Week 12Individual No 1-5 Case Note 25% Case selected by week 4 of second semester.
Due Monday 2pm, Week 12Individual No 1-5 Assessment Detail
Editorial Activities (50%)
Fifty per cent of the students’ grade in this course will be taken from their role in individually editing one or more articles, their contribution to class discussion and the editing of other articles in the journal.
Individual editing: Students will, under the supervision of the Editors, be responsible for one or more articles submitted to the journal. They will write a two page review of each article in accordance with the guidelines given to external reviewers. Further, they will copy edit the article and place it into style. They will draft letters to authors and assist in the production of the article. The ‘file’ associated with the article(s) will be submitted by Week 12 of semesters 1 and 2 for assessment.
Contribution to class: Each week, students will be expected to assist the students editing the articles set for that week, and engage in discussion and critique of the article. In addition, the class will conduct the refereeing process for one article through each semester, and students will be expected to contribute to the management and discussion of this.
Case Notes (25%)
Students will submit a case note in each semester.
Semester 1: The case will be selected and announced in Week 6 of Semester 1.
Semester 2: The case will be selected and announced in Week 4 of Semester 2.
The assignments will be a maximum of 2500 words each. This word limit excludes footnotes, however footnotes must contain references only and not any substantive material. A penalty of 5% will be applied for every 100 words, or part thereof, in excess of the word limit. Students are required to indicate on the cover sheet attached to their assignment the number of words in their paper and to sign the cover sheet.
The case notes will be due Monday, 2pm, Week 12 (each semester).
The recommended standard Law School penalties shall apply for late submission of written assignments (see Section 8 Law School Policies and Procedures). The penalty will be 5% of the total mark per day, or part thereof.
Footnotes: Students must comply with the approved Law School style guide, The Australian Guide to Legal Citation, which can be accessed at http://www.law.adelaide.edu.au/library/research/
All sources must be acknowledged.Submission
The assignment is to be submitted in hard copy form. To ensure complete anonymity in the marking process, students should sign the coversheet with an ‘X’.
Students must not submit work for an assignment that has previously been submitted for this course or any other course without prior approval from the lecturer-in-charge.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
NOG (No Grade Associated) Grade Description CN Continuing Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
The University Writing Centre provides academic learning and language development services and resources for local, international, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled at the University of Adelaide.
Practical advice and strategies for students to master reading, writing, note-taking, time management, oral presentation skills, referencing techniques and exam preparation for success at university through seminars, workshops and individual consultations.
For more information please check out the Writing Centre website at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/ -
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
Further information regarding the Law School Policies and Procedures in relation to Supplementary Assessment, Extensions, and Remarks etc can be found at:
https://unified.adelaide.edu.au/group/law-school/policies-and-procedures
Plagiarism and other forms of cheating
Plagiarism is a serious act of academic misconduct. All students must be familiar with the Adelaide Law School Enrolment Guide 2015, and should note in particular the sections relating to plagiarism, grievance procedures and academic conduct within the Law School and the University.
Plagiarism is a serious matter and is treated as such by the Law School and the University. Please be aware that “academic dishonesty” (which goes beyond plagiarism) can be a ground for a refusal by the Supreme Court of South Australia to refuse to admit a person to practice as a legal practitioner in South Australia.
Academic honesty is an essential aspect of ethical and honest behaviour, which is central to the practice of the law and an understanding of what it is to be a lawyer.
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
