Skip to main content
Unit outline_

LAWS5225: Legal Internship

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

This unit enables students to work in a public interest or public sector organisation which undertakes legal service delivery, advocacy or policy research. Through practical experience in the workplace students will gain a deeper understanding of an area of substantive law, an awareness of the interplay between law and policy, and an enhanced appreciation of legal ethical issues. Under supervision and with support, students will develop legal practice skills including communication and collaboration, will improve their capacity for reflective practice, and will gain new personal insights into their personal and professional direction and development.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
LAWS3525
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ben Mostyn, benjamin.mostyn@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Class Participation (10%)
Students should demonstrate engagement with readings and discussions.
10% Ongoing Each class
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO3
Placement Internship placement (pass/fail)
Pass / fail
0% Ongoing One day a week for 12 weeks (84 hours)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Reflection Note (15%)
Students will provide reflection notes on their internships.
15% Week 10
Due date: 03 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 17 May 2024
1000 words / 10 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Presentation Presentation (15%)
Presentation on students internship experience.
15% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 16:00

Closing date: 07 Jun 2024
10 minute presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4
Assignment Research Essay (60%)
Research essay on agreed topic of choice.
60% Week 13
Due date: 20 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 03 Jun 2024
3500 words / 13 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5

Assessment summary

Class participation (10%)

Class participation will be unstructured. Students will be expected to participate and contribute in each class. Students should demonstrate engagement with readings and discussions by coming to class prepared, having read the assigned readings and reflected on the issues raised. In particular, students should consider their professional responsibilities in their internship placements and how their Law studies have prepared them for a professional placement. Students will be given the opportunity to demonstrate this in class discussions and group work.

 

Presentation (15%)

Presentations will be held in class on 24 May 2024 (Friday of Week 13). Students will attend class and present on a topic relating to their internship. Presentations will be approximately 10 minutes long and students can use resources such as PowerPoint, Kahoot, and Canvas. Alternatively, students can simply talk to the class without visual aids. Students will be able to discuss their topic with the convenor during semester.

 

Reflection Note (15%)

Students will be required to prepare a reflective piece (maximum 1000 words) relating to their experience during the course, both in class and on placement. Reflection Note is due at 23:59 on 3 May 2024 (Sydney, Australia time).

 

Research Essay (60%)

The research essay is an opportunity for you to demonstrate the depth of your understanding of issues that have been raised in the unit, and to draw together theory and practice in relation to the ‘public interest’ sector. It will require you to undertake research in respect of your chosen topic, and enable you to develop your legal scholarship skills in critical analysis, constructing reasoned arguments, and correctly referencing your research. Your topic must focus on an aspect or aspects of public interest professional practice and draw together the theoretical and the practical. That is, you must draw on theoretical literature, and analyse or assess it by reference to practical examples from your internship experience. The maximum word limit is 3500 words.  The research essay is due at 23:59 on 20 May 2024 (Sydney, Australia time).

 

Internship Placement (pass/fail): In addition to the weighted assessment tasks, students will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis on their internship placement. Students will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis by the unit coordinator in conjunction with the internship supervisor.  As would be the case in a workplace environment, students will be expected to attend all days of placement unless they have a valid, documented reason for not doing so. They will also be expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in respect of matters such as punctuality, presentation, productivity, and collegiality.  Subject to any policies or procedures of placement sites, students at risk of failing to meet placement requirements will be given the opportunity to improve their performance before a fail grade is awarded.

The internship placement is an integral component of this unit. Students who do not meet the minimum 84 hours may fail the course. Student circumstances and placement supervisor reports will be considered before a decision is made on this basis.

Internships can be undertaken in areas of public service, public interest, and public law. The convenor will generally take a broad definition of these concepts to allow a wide range of experiential learning. Purely commercial placements will not meet the requirements of the unit. Clerkships at commercial law firms are not eligible for the internship unit.

Students who have an existing employment relationship with an organisation cannot complete an internship at that organisation.

Internships must be completed after enrolling in the unit. Students who have volunteered or worked at an organisation prior to enrolling in the unit cannot count that time towards the 84 hours placement requirement of the unit.
Students can organise their own internships if they meet the above criteria, but the University requires an agreement with the placement provider before a student commences the internship for unit credit. Students can only meet the 84-hour placement requirement of the internship unit after enrolling in the unit.

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 total word count for essay and other written assessments does not include citations in footnotes but does include substantive footnotes.

Use of editors and automated writing tools: In completing unsupervised assessments, students may use editors, proof-readers, and automated writing tools (including translation software, grammar checkers, reference generators and artificial intelligence), provided that all use is acknowledged and consistent with University policies and procedures including Academic Integrity Policy. Acknowledgment must be made in writing on the front of the work submitted for assessment, or in an appropriate footnote or other reference, and state the name of the person or software.

Special consideration: Successful grants of Special Consideration may involve alternative tasks, as appropriate.

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

 

 

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

  • Completely answers the question.
  • Contains striking originality of approach or analysis.
  • Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required).
  • Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed.
  • Is otherwise exceptional in some way.

Distinction

75 - 84

  • Completely answers the question.
  • Achieves a 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 in answering the question.
  • 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 a descriptive summary of material relevant to the question.
  • 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 and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.

Fail

0 - 49

  • Does not answer the question.
  • 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, which has not been granted an extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per 24 hours or part thereof, after the due time on the due date. For example, a submission after 4.00pm but before the same time the following day will attract a 10% penalty. 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.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction; what is the public interest; ethical practice. Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 02 Social change and law reform; governance and management. Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Professional writing; supervision and mentoring; critical reflection in practice. Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Student well being; the future of the profession; student career path options; workplace rights. Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 13 Student Presentations; Reflection, Review, and Recap; Skills Overview; Future Directions. Seminar (6 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Weekly Students are required to attend the assigned placement site one day a week for 12 weeks. Placement (84 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 80% of classes to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a student being precluded from sitting the final assessment.

Referencing: In submitted work, the Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style. A link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476376

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

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.

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

  • LO1. Evaluate your experience of practice-related dimensions of an area of substantive law;
  • LO2. Identify and assess legal ethical issues in a professional setting;
  • LO3. Identify necessary skills for successful professional practice;
  • LO4. Demonstrate skills in practical and class-based communication and collaboration;
  • LO5. Reflect on the challenges and rewards of public interest professional practice.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

The unit has changed from an intensive in O-Week to being offered during normal semester to facilitate more participation from students.

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.