Course overview
The course helps to make students 'career ready' by placing them in 'internships' with host institutions for a period of between 22 and 25 days in total. Semester 1 and 2 enrolments ordinarily involve two intensive weeks over non-teaching weeks, eg summer or winter break, followed by one day per week over the semester (with each day being a 7 1/2 hour day) or five weeks intensive over the summer semester. The internships enable students to build on their understanding of the theory of law by gaining an appreciation of its practical operation. The course aims to give depth and context to students' existing knowledge of law. Students will be required to complete an agreed research task under the supervision of the course coordinator. The research task will be negotiated between the student and the course coordinator, and will build on the work the student completes during the internship. It is expected that students will also be involved in day-to-day activities of their internship office and gain a broad understanding of the operation of law generally. During the internship, students will be asked to reflect on legal processes and on the development of their legal skills.
Course learning outcomes
- Undertake self-directed research in law, analyse and synthesise legal information and materials
- Apply law to complex practical issues, and critique the operation of law from a policy perspective
- Structure and sustain concise and cohesive written arguments for a legal audience
- Undertake practical legal work at the highest level
- Analyse the impact of law from policy perspectives and in the context of social and cultural diversity
- Reflect on their abilities to effectively undertake legal work in a practical setting