Undergraduate - UnitLAW5207 - Honours thesis

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Law
Offered	Clayton Second semester 2012 (Day) Clayton Full year 2012 (Day) Clayton Second semester to First semester 2012 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides high achieving students with an opportunity to research, write and present a significant piece of original work. Students will write a thesis under the supervision of an academic member of staff, on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the Chief Examiner.Students will also publically present the main findings of their research and participate in a seminar program.

Outcomes

The unit aims to:

• provide an opportunity for students to undertake a considered and in-depth analysis of legal issues in a particular area and to formulate and articulate legal and policy issues;
• develop skills of critical analysis and original thought;
• encourage the interchange of knowledge and ideas between students and teachers in order to achieve a high quality of legal scholarship;
• develop students' competency in legal research skills; and
• enhance students' organisational, presentational and writing skills.

Students who successfully complete LAW5207 should, in general:

• have acquired a detailed knowledge and expertise in the area of the topic which is the subject of the thesis;
• have their capacity for critical analysis and original thought enhanced;
• have an enhanced competency in legal research skills;
• have the ability to research, organise and present legal and policy issues in a succinct and scholarly manner; and
• have completed a piece of legal research of publishable quality.

Assessment

Thesis (8,000-10,000 words) 80%

Presentation of thesis findings (at Honours Conference at end of Semester 2) 10%

Attendance and participation in the supporting Honours Research Seminar Program (2 x 1 day events being the Honours Orientation Day and Honours Conference and 2 x half day Honours Seminars including completion of set exercises ahead of these seminars) 10%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Colin Campbell

Prerequisites

LAW1100 OR LAW1101 and LAW1102 or LAW1104