Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Law School
This course provides an opportunity for students to pursue in some depth an area of special interest under the supervision of a member of the Law School academic staff. Further guidelines are available from the Law School.
The course is a two unit elective, which offers students an opportunity to 1) design and 2) execute an individual research project under the supervision of an academic in the Law School. Participation is subject to coordinator approval and generally suitable for students with a cumulative GPA in Law of 5.5 or more.
As the course involves self-directed learning, students who undertake this course will be expected to be proactive. First, they will need to identify a question of doctrinal law, legal theory or socio-legal studies that they would like to explore. Second, they will need to arrange a potential supervisor and, having done so, complete and submit the enrolment form.
Once semester starts, students should watch/read the resources on Blackboard and the Library website to inform their research process, and arrange at least two meetings with their supervisors (one for each assessment item). There will be two presentation sessions as well.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Permission from Head of School
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
LAWS7183 or 7383
Restrictions
LLB(Hons) and LLB(Hons) dual programs
Course contact
Timetable
Additional timetable information
This course largely involves self-directed learning. Students will be expected to work through materials on legal research and writing on Blackboard and seek input from their academic supervisors on their proposals and final essays.
In weeks 4 and 11 there will then be presentation sessions in which students will present their draft proposals and papers (respectively) to the group.
Aims and outcomes
Teaching Mission Statement
The mission of the TC Beirne School of Law is to educate students in and about the law. We seek to assist you to think critically about the law and to investigate its structures, principles, policies, and values. This is achieved by engaging with you as fellow investigators in a range of critical and intellectual conversations about the law and its place in society. Our role is thus to guide you in your own intellectual journey in the law and to equip you with the necessary skills that will enable you to continue that journey long after you have left the School.
Course Aims
This course aims to allow students to undertake self-directed research under the guidance of a supervisor, as part of an ongoing research project, within a research team context.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Formulate a significant and novel research question in or across the fields of doctrinal law, legal theory or socio-legal studies.
LO2.
Design a research project to investigate that question using appropriate approaches to legal research and methodologies.
LO3.
Utilise legal writing techniques that are appropriate to different academic aims and audiences.
LO4.
Manage research projects to produce quality work within time-constraints.
LO5.
Effectively present research to generate feedback on work-in-progress and disseminate findings from academics, a general audience and peers.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation |
Concept pitching session
|
15% |
18/08/2025 - 22/08/2025
Further substantive and logistical details of this session will be posted on Blackboard at the start of semester. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Extended Abstract
|
15% |
2/09/2025 2:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Paper Presentation
|
20% |
13/10/2025 - 17/10/2025
Further logistical details about the session will be posted on Blackboard towards the start of semester. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Research Paper
|
50% |
31/10/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Concept pitching session
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
18/08/2025 - 22/08/2025
Further substantive and logistical details of this session will be posted on Blackboard at the start of semester.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05
Task description
Students will present their research projects, to engage interest and seek feedback on the ideas.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
If your are seriously affected by illness or other extenuating circumstances, please contact the course coordinator as soon as possible to discuss options.
Extended Abstract
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
2/09/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
The Extended Abstract is a 1,200 words summary of the project for an academic audience. It should:
- identify the aims (question), scope and methodology/approach of a project;
- explain the 'gap' in the knowledge that the project is attempting to address; and
- position the project in the context of existing debates in the relevant literature(s).
The word count excludes footnotes. The marker will not read material in excess of the word limit and substantive text in the footnotes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The Extended Abstract should be submitted electronically on the Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Extension to Assessment Due Date
An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered will generally be limited to one week in the first instance. In exceptional circumstances, approved extensions may be granted for more than one week but will not exceed four weeks in total. Where a student is incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, they should be advised to apply for removal of course.
A student may apply for an extension to assessment due date if they are unable to meet an assessment deadline due to extenuating circumstances. Please refer to the Applying for an extension page on my.UQ for further details on acceptable reasons for an extension and for instructions on how to apply. Additional information on extensions can be found within the Assessment Procedure.
Spoken or written notification of difficulties with assessment deadlines to a course coordinator or the School does not constitute an authorised extension.
Applications to be submitted before the due date: Applications for extension (whether they be medical or exceptional circumstances) shall be made by the due date and time for the assessment. Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date and time, must include evidence of the reason for the late request, and will require the decision maker listed in the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure to accept the request for consideration.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Penalties for Late Submission
The following penalties apply to late submission of an assessment item, assuming that an extension has not been approved, and that late submission is academically possible (e.g., it does not delay feedback to a cohort, or interfere with course delivery).
First 7 periods of 24 hours (or part thereof) - 10% per 24 hours of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item. For example, a report worth a maximum of 40 marks, submitted 28 hours late will attract a penalty of 8 marks, calculated as 2 periods of 24 hours x 10% x 40 marks.
More than 7 periods of 24 hours - 100%.
Paper Presentation
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
13/10/2025 - 17/10/2025
Further logistical details about the session will be posted on Blackboard towards the start of semester.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05
Task description
In this task, students will deliver a brief presentation of their draft research papers to the class and answer questions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
If you are seriously affected by illness or other extenuating circumstances, please contact the course coordinator as soon as possible to discuss options.
Research Paper
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
31/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
The Research Paper presents the findings of the project as per the extended abstract. The word limits is 8,000 words (excl notes). Any material in excess of the word count will be disregarded by the marker, as well any substantive text in the footnotes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The Research Paper must be submitted electronically on the Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Extension to Assessment Due Date
An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered will generally be limited to one week in the first instance. In exceptional circumstances, approved extensions may be granted for more than one week but will not exceed four weeks in total. Where a student is incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, they should be advised to apply for removal of course.
A student may apply for an extension to assessment due date if they are unable to meet an assessment deadline due to extenuating circumstances. Please refer to the Applying for an extension page on my.UQ for further details on acceptable reasons for an extension and for instructions on how to apply. Additional information on extensions can be found within the Assessment Procedure.
Spoken or written notification of difficulties with assessment deadlines to a course coordinator or the School does not constitute an authorised extension.
Applications to be submitted before the due date: Applications for extension (whether they be medical or exceptional circumstances) shall be made by the due date and time for the assessment. Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date and time, must include evidence of the reason for the late request, and will require the decision maker listed in the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure to accept the request for consideration.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Penalties for Late Submission
The following penalties apply to late submission of an assessment item, assuming that an extension has not been approved, and that late submission is academically possible (e.g., it does not delay feedback to a cohort, or interfere with course delivery).
First 7 periods of 24 hours (or part thereof) - 10% per 24 hours of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item. For example, a report worth a maximum of 40 marks, submitted 28 hours late will attract a penalty of 8 marks, calculated as 2 periods of 24 hours x 10% x 40 marks.
More than 7 periods of 24 hours - 100%.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 47 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 48 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Identification, categorisation and citation of appropriate sources are a major part of this course. Ask your supervisor for assistance if you are in doubt as to what is required.
The library's 'How- to' guides may be a useful starting point: http://www.library.uq.edu.au/useit/
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 1 |
General contact hours |
Getting started (Finalising supervision arrangements and self-directed learning) In Week 1, students will arrange supervision and begin working through the self-directed learning modules about legal research and writing (see Blackboard for details). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 6 |
General contact hours |
Independent research (Reading, Planning and Writing) Between Weeks 2 and 6, students should be reading into their topics, planning and writing their abstracts and pitches, and starting to work on their Research Papers under the guidance of their academic supervisors. The first compulsory meeting between the student and supervisor must take place in this time, but it is likely that students will need multiple meetings to successfully complete the assessments tasks. In addition, students should draw on the self-directed learning modules on legal research design and methodologies that will be announced on Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Multiple weeks From Week 7 To Week 13 |
General contact hours |
Independent Research and Meeting with Supervisor (Reading, Planning and Writing) From Weeks 7 to 13, students will be undertaking independent research on their papers with guidance from their supervisors. The second compulsory meeting between students and supervisors must take place in this time, though multiple meetings will most likely be necessary for students to complete their Papers. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: