LAWS7002 - Legal Research III

Objectives

Provides candidates who are nearing the end of the process of writing a thesis with the support and resources to assist completion in a timely manner.
Refine and improve written skills through exposure to central ideas from theses to constructive criticism by colleagues.
Develop the skills of presentation of scholarly work in an academic setting and to provide access to a group of people who are all engaged in completing theses, who can provide informed support.

Content

Higher degree research – students, supervisors and the faculty; refining your thesis – lessons from the strategy; developing/locating your thesis – lessons from the strategy; comparative law techniques; using international law materials; using historical materials/methods; conceptualising and researching the law in action; narratives, interviews, case-studies and other 'selective' forms of analysis; quantitative research methods - common pitfalls; quantitative research methods - forms of presentation and analysis; current problems in research & presentation; current problems II; and overview and review.

Session

Candidates are required to attend an initial meeting as scheduled on the timetable. Two other sessions (including one day presentation given by candidates) will be decided at this meeting.

The timetable is subject to frequent changes. Please refer to the latest version of the Postgraduate Timetable.

Assessment

Assessment will be on a pass/fail basis. The assessments are:

Seminar presentation on an aspect of the candidate's thesis
A written outline of goals for the unit and written reflection on achievements during the course
Reading, commenting on and providing written feedback on a chapter of the thesis of another class member