Outline

Overview

In this unit of study students are afforded the opportunity to work the equivalent of one day per week during the semester in a 'public interest' placement site. In addition, students attend weekly seminars which are designed to promote discussion and reflection on a range of issues that may arise during the course of the placement as well as seminar presentations on matters relevant to public interest externships. The unit has a public interest focus which is reflected in the selection of placement sites. At the end of the unit students should have: * acquired a better sense of the professional and personal responsibilities associated with the practice of law; * developed an appreciation that the law is a people profession; * observed and participated in a high level of problem solving flowing from real case files (where appropriate); * been introduced to the basic inter-personal skills involved in the practice of law; * interacted with legal professionals in a flexible learning environment; * been introduced to aspects of the practice of law such as legal writing, advocacy and time management; and * developed the character and habits of a reflective practitioner.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	LAWS3431
Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	LAWS5131
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Irene Baghoomians, irene.baghoomians@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Reflective journal entries based on placement site (20%) Journal	20%	Multiple weeks	3 x 500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation (20%) Participation in discussion boards, attendance in class and at placement	20%	Ongoing	Ongoing; equivalent to 1300 words
Outcomes assessed:
Placement	Placement site evaluation (20%) Written evaluation prepared by the placement site	20%	Ongoing	Prescribed form will be used
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Optional abstract (0%) Abstract to be submitted if student is proposing own essay topic.	0%	Week 05 Due date: 02 Sep 2022 at 17:00 Closing date: 09 Sep 2022	200 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research essay (40%) Written task	40%	Week 11 Due date: 21 Oct 2022 at 17:00 Closing date: 04 Nov 2022	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Participation (20% of final grade): Unit of study participation has four components. This include: (a) attendance at the placement site (weeks 2-13 inclusive), (b) scheduled classes and participation in the relevant class discussions (7 out of 10 classes but it is desirable that you attend all classes if possible), (c) weekly discussion posts on the readings for 7 of 10 weeks, due by 12pm each Sunday before class and (d) optional additional discussion posts. Students will receive an Absent Fail for the unit of study if they do not meet these first three components of participation requirements without being formally excused attendance by the unit of study coordinator.
Placement site evaluation (20% of final grade): Each student’s site supervisor will submit an evaluation to the unit of study coordinator in accordance with the Law School grading guidelines at the end of the placement. This is a hurdle task.

The unit of study coordinator reserves the prerogative to amend the grade/mark as necessary to ensure fairness. The unit of study coordinator will discuss with the placement site and the student any concerns that may arise during the placement. You will receive an Absent Fail for the unit of study if you receive a final Fail grade from the placement site.

Reflective journal entries based on placement site (20% of final grade): Placement site performance is assessed by way of reflective journal entries. You will submit three 500 words pieces, reflecting on your placement experience to that point in light of issues addressed in the readings and in class. These are due at 5:00pm in Week 5, Friday, 2 September 2022 (submission 1) and Week 8, Friday, 24 September 2022 (submissions 2 and 3). The closing dates for the reflection submissions are one week after the due dates of the submissions. Overall, this is a hurdle task.

Reflective writing will be discussed in class in Week 2. You will receive an Absent Fail for the unit of study if you do not submit the reflections within time, unless a special consideration application has been approved.

Optional abstract (0% of final grade): For the essay, each student also has the option of proposing a topic that meets the broad requirements set out in the formal instructions, and submitting an abstract of the proposed essay (200 words max) by Friday, 2 September 2022 at 5:00pm for discussion, refinement and approval by the unit of study coordinator. This task will be worth no marks but is a necessary precondition of writing an essay on a topic other than that provided.

Please note that if you choose to propose your own topic, you must submit an abstract and an essay within the designated above time frame otherwise you will receive an Absent Fail for the unit of study unless a special consideration application has been approved.

Essay/Optional Essay (40% of final grade): The word limit is 4,000 words and it will include footnotes. Referencing should be in compliance with the current version of the AGLC. Students will be expected to write a research essay on social justice advocacy and/or lawyering theme. Students will use the placement site experience as a filter to examine and illustrate the relevant issues in the research essay. The essay is due at 5pm on Friday, 21 October 2022.

Formal instructions will be issued in Week 3, and the designated question will be released in Week 5. Each student also has the option of proposing a topic that meets the broad requirements set out in the formal instructions, and submitting an abstract (see below under Optional abstract for details).

Regarding both options (as will be detailed in the formal instructions), an essay question will address a ‘social justice lawyering’ theme and as much as possible will use the placement site experience as a means by which to examine and illustrate issues within that theme. In this way the research component of the unit of study is complemented and enriched by your site experience. More details will be forthcoming when classes begin.

A variety of assessments such as the above enables you to develop a range of skills, and to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes while allowing for the diversity of experiences at different placement sites.

Due to the consultative, site-specific and discursive nature of the assessments (essay, placement site, weekly post, and the site report respectively), anonymous marking is not practical in this unit of study.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out for 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 2014 (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 calendar day or part thereof. [where relevant] Late penalties do not apply to exams or tests and any late submission will not be accepted.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Social Justice Advocacy and Lawyering	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Reflective writing and lawyering skills	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Opportunities for social justice lawyering	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Critical perspectives on law	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Disadvantage and inequality	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Client legal empowerment	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	The ethics of social justice lawyering	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Access to justice	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Law reform	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Litigating for change	Seminar (2 hr)
Weekly	Weekly placement, minimum 10 weeks, for a day (7hrs) at specified placement sites	Placement (70 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes (or as otherwise specified by the Unit Coordinator) to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Attendance requirements must be satisfied by in person attendance as specified by the Unit Coordinator. In addition, each student is required to attend their placement site from weeks 2-13. Any absence/s must be addressed via additional days at the placement sites.
Word count 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 will exclude: bibliography; footnote numbers; footnote citation; cover page and include: body text; headings and sub-headings; quotations; anything other than numbers and citations in footnotes.
Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer, and 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.

Required readings

Required readings are available on the Reading List tab on Canvas.

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. develop a more critical, informed and nuanced understanding of social justice advocacy in different contexts (including legal practice, legal policy and human rights advocacy)
LO2. identify the normative and theoretical bases relevant to social justice advocacy including legal, socio-political and economical dimensions
LO3. identify and respond to legal ethical issues
LO4. enhance and demonstrate skills in communication, collaboration, and group work
LO5. demonstrate crucial skills such as legal research, writing, analysis and time management
LO6. develop new personal insights to further enhance the capacity, character and habits of a reflective social justice advocate

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Resources - Sydney Law Students

Work, health and safety

Students must check with their placement site supervisor whether they are required to be triple-vaccinated and have proof of their vaccination status if that is a requirement by their placement site.

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

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

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

LAWS3431: Law and Social Justice Clinic

Semester 2, 2022 [Professional practice] - 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

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

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect