Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (24/06/2024 - 17/08/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Law School
This course allows students to apply knowledge and skills gained in the LLB within an international environment. It will explore opportunities for interjurisdictional learning, including exposure to civil law, and assist students in developing their cross-cultural competence and regional employability prospects.
This 2 unit course provides the opportunity for students to undertake an internship with the Samoa Law Reform Commission (SLRC) between 24 June and 19 July 2024. Students will mix academic study with field-based learning, such as institutional visits and observations. The course will equip students with a distinct advantage for the pursuit of future opportunities in Samoa and throughout the Indo-Pacific.
The course will require students to undertake research on key issues relating to legal pluralism and law reform. They will develop their knowledge of the Samoan legal system over the course of their internship under the guidance of the SLRC’s Executive Director and nominated supervising officer.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Permission from the Head of School
Restrictions
LLB and associated dual programs
Course contact
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 allows students to work with an international organisation to develop an understanding of transnational justice issues, increase cultural competence and professional skills within a global environment.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Evaluate justice issues from a transnational perspective and identify ways justice issues can be improved / resolved.
LO2.
Create resources / develop research projects / undertake tasks as required for international justice partners.
LO3.
Identify and apply a range of advanced legal research and writing skills appropriate for the project/ resources/ tasks.
LO4.
Tailor legal skills and communication skills to the needs of particular audiences / cultural groups.
LO5.
Demonstrate intercultural competencies.
LO6.
Reflect upon and evaluate workplace skills and experiences in the placement and apply these to a future workplace context.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection |
Statement of Objectives
|
10% |
17/06/2024 2:00 pm |
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Attendance and Performance
|
10% |
24/06/2024 - 19/07/2024 |
| Reflection |
Reflective Journal
|
20% |
28/06/2024 2:00 pm 5/07/2024 2:00 pm 12/07/2024 2:00 pm 19/07/2024 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Research Assignment
|
60% |
9/08/2024 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Statement of Objectives
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
17/06/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L04
Task description
Before commencing the internship, you must read the Samoa Law Reform Commission’s Internship Guide, which is available on the Blackboard site and the 'Projects' section of the Samoa Law Reform Commission website (https://www.samoalawreform.gov.ws/ ). You must then identify learning objectives and work activities for the entire period of the internship. The objectives should provide specific goals to achieve during the internship and set the direction and scope of your internship role, having regard to the nature of the environment in which you will be working. You should consult with your supervisor, Professor Emerita Corrin, before completing this. The Statement should incorporate both the learning objectives of the internship and any other objectives you want to achieve during the internship. This Statement must be approved and signed by Professor Emerita Corrin before commencement of the internship and a copy given to the designated officer at the host institution on the first day of the internship in Samoa.
A pro forma for the Statement of Objectives is available on the Blackboard site.
Students must also sign the Confidentiality Agreement, a copy of which will be handed to you on arrival at the Samoa Law Reform Commission.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Your paper must be submitted by EACH of the following ways: 1. By email to Emeritus Professor Corrin 2. Electronically via the assessment submission link on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
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%
Attendance and Performance
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
24/06/2024 - 19/07/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This task comprises attendance and performance, as assessed by the designated officer at the SLRC.
Attendance and performance during the internship is mandatory - you must perform workplace duties for 30-40 hours per week or as confirmed by the designated officer at the SLRC.
The designated officer will provide a simple 1-10 rating and a 1 page report addressing questions set by the supervisor. In addition to attendance and performance, the evaluation will take into account whether you have completed the Intern Assessment Form; Exit interview; and Handover Memo, and associated tasks, as prescribed in the SLRC Induction Programme document.
If there are problems during the internship, it is important to contact Professor Emerita Corrin.
Professor Emerita Corrin will have contact with the designated officer at the SLRC by email.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
This item of assessment will be signed off on by the designated officer at the SLRC.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Reflective Journal
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
28/06/2024 2:00 pm
5/07/2024 2:00 pm
12/07/2024 2:00 pm
19/07/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L05, L06
Task description
You will prepare a description of the activities undertaken and observations during each week of the internship. The weekly journal should contain details and analysis of the activities undertaken, problems encountered (if any) and details of any knowledge or skills gained.
You will be required to submit your journal entries to the supervising officer at the Samoa Law Reform Commission for signature and then send them electronically to Emeritus Professor Corrin on 28 June, 5 July, 12 July, and 19 July 2024.
Each of the four (4) journal entries should be at least 500 words.
The journal should include reflection on how the internship has influenced your understanding of the law. For example, you may wish to assess the operation of formal rules of law, or of the legal system, or of the roles and behaviour of those involved in the law reform process, or on ethical issues. You should include your observations on how the law in theory differs or coincides with the law in practice. You are encouraged to reflect on the processes involved in law reforms and to record and analyse your impressions as they occur during the internship. You may record information about actual cases, to put your impressions in context, although you must ensure that confidentiality is preserved.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You will be required to submit a journal entry to the designated officer at the host institution in Samoa on 28 June, 5 July, 12 July and 19 July 2024 for signature. On the same dates copies must be emailed to Professor Emerita Corrin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
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%
Research Assignment
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
9/08/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
You must conduct research and submit an academic research paper using reviewed academic sources on the following topic:
'Is the process for Law Reform in Samoa effective and responsive to the needs of Samoan society? Include in your answer some comparison with the law reform process in Australia.'
The paper must demonstrate application of the relevant theory, and draw on the experience and observations from the internship.
The word limit for your paper is 3,500 words.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Your paper must be submitted by EACH of the following ways: 1. By email to Professor Emerita Corrin 2. Electronically via the assessment submission link on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course 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 7 |
Not Timetabled |
Activity 14 June 2024: Familiarisation with Samoa Law Reform Commission (Reading): Read the Introduction to 'Law Reform in Plural Societies' and familiarise yourself with the Samoa Law Reform Commission's website. 17 - 24 June 2024: Statement of Objectives (Pre-Departure): You will complete a Statement of Objectives during this period. 19 June 2024: Pre-Departure Briefing (Discussion): You will meet with the Course Coordinator for feedback on your Statement of Objectives and a pre-departure briefing. 24 June - 19 July 2024: Period of Internship (Internship): You will undertake your internship with the SLRC during this period. 9 August 2024: Research Assignment (Assessment): You will submit your research paper on a topic related to your SLRC internship. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.