Outline

Overview

The Honours Unit in Law consists of: 1. A dissertation written under the supervision of one member of academic staff, and 2. Participation in a non-assessable research workshop. The dissertation will be a maximum of 12,000 words.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Andrew Dyer, andrew.dyer@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Draft thesis (long release) (0%) Complete draft of non-HDR thesis	0%	Week 09 Due date: 26 Apr 2024 at 12:00	12,000 words / 10 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Honours thesis	Final thesis (long release) (100%) Non-HDR thesis	100%	Week 13 Due date: 24 May 2024 at 12:00 Closing date: 31 May 2024	12,000 words / 14 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

The Law Honours unit is wholly assessed by way of the 12,000 word thesis, due by midday (Sydney, Australia Time) on Friday 24 May 2024 (Week 13), via Canvas (there is no requirement for a hard copy submission). The research skills workshop is not assessed but is compulsory.

Honours students must develop a research proposal, arrange an academic supervisor, undertake a research project based on the proposal and write and submit a 12,000 word thesis. Feedback will be provided on a completed draft of the thesis provided that it is submitted to the student's supervisor by the draft submission deadline, midday (Sydney, Australia Time) on Friday 26 April 2024 (Week 9).

Assistance in preparing and editing the thesis: The use of assistance in preparing and editing assessment tasks in this unit of study is permitted on the condition that all sources of assistance are expressly acknowledged and identified in a footnote at the start of the task; and the use complies with the Academic Integrity Policy 2022 Clause 16. Sources of assistance may include other people, automated writing tools, and the use of artificial intelligence (including tools such as ChatGPT). Academic Integrity Policy 2022 Clause 16 restricts allowable assistance to copy-editing, proofreading, advice about structure, grammar, syntax, clear language, etc. When acknowledging a source of assistance, students must state the name of the person, automated or AI software or tool, a brief description of the nature of the assistance, and (if relevant) the person’s current or former area of specialization or expertise.

Special consideration: Successful Special Consideration applications for the final thesis may be granted an extension of time from the due date up to midday Friday 31 May 2024 (ie the “closing date” as specified in the assessment table above).

Word limit penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The 12,000 word limit is inclusive of substantive footnotes. For the avoidance of doubt, this will exclude: abstract, table of contents, bibliography, footnote numbers, footnote citations, cover page and include: body text, headings and sub-headings, quotations, anything other than numbers and citations in footnotes. This notice overrides any other provision made elsewhere.

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects students to reference ALL sources used in assessment tasks using the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) (AGLC4). A comprehensive guide to using AGLC4 is available from the library via the following link: Referencing and Citation Styles: AGLC4 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research. Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. Is otherwise exceptional in some way. An Honours Thesis receiving a high distinction grade will generally be of publishable quality. By this it is meant that it provides a solid foundation for development into a publication, not that it is ready to submit to a journal in the form it was submitted for assessment.
Distinction	75 - 84	Achieves a sustained, critical and evaluative approach to the issues. Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. Generally well expressed and free from errors. Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	Covers main issues fairly well. Contains no significant errors Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. Contains some significant errors. Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the issues. Superficial use of material and may display a tendency to paraphrase. Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. Adequate expression. Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment.
Fail	0 - 49	Contains significant or numerous errors. Few or no identifiable arguments. Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. Lack of research or analysis. Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per calendar day or part thereof. For example, a submission after 12pm noon and by 11.59pm on the due date will attract a 10% penalty. A submission after midnight of the due date for submission will attract a 20% penalty. A submission on the following day after midnight will attract a 30% penalty, and so on. Late penalties will be strictly applied. The date and time of submission as recorded by Canvas is taken as the official and final record of a student’s submission.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Ongoing	Individual research project under supervision	Independent study (298 hr)
Pre-semester	Induction workshop for individual research project, 2pm-4pm Thursday 15 February	Workshop (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: An induction workshop will be held at the beginning of each semester. This workshop is compulsory but not assessed. It will include an introduction to the unit of study, a session on referencing and academic honesty and a library research skills session.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 4th ed (2018).

Additional relevant readings will be guided by the research project being undertaken.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Critically analyse and synthesise complex legal issues at an advanced level to produce original and reasoned legal arguments within the student's approved independent research topic.
LO2. Employ advanced legal research skills to identify, find, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal, scholarly and policy information in an ethical manner.
LO3. Demonstrate autonomy and advanced written communication skills in conducting an independent legal research project.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Staff in this unit constantly review and reflect upon the content of the unit in light of student feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

LAWS3900: Law Honours

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect