General Information
Special Topic in Law (A) is an elective subject in undergraduate programs offered by the Faculty of Law. Please refer to Subject Description detailed in the subject outline available on the subject iLearn site.
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Details
Academic unit: Faculty of Law Subject code: LAWS13-620 Subject title: Special Topic in Law (A) Subject level: Undergraduate Semester/Year: September 2022 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Situated Workload items: - Placement: x13 (Total hours: 104) - One day placement at YFS Legal per week
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 16) - Recommended study hours
Attendance and learning activities: -
Resources
Prescribed resources: No Prescribed resources.
After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List.iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
Academic unit: | Faculty of Law |
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Subject code: | LAWS13-620 |
Subject title: | Special Topic in Law (A) |
Subject level: | Undergraduate |
Semester/Year: | September 2022 |
Credit points: | 10.000 |
Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
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Delivery mode: | Situated |
Workload items: |
|
Attendance and learning activities: |
Prescribed resources: | No Prescribed resources. After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List. |
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iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
Requisites: |
Nil |
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Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge. It is assumed that students have completed LAWS11-203 Criminal Law (or equivalent). |
Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Refer to Subject Learning Outcomes detailed in Special Topic in Law (A) Subject Outline on iLearn site.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
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Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Written Report Law Reform Paper based on topic provided by Centre 40% Week 12 1 Journal Three reflective learning journals starting in week 3 60% Ongoing 1 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
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Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
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Written Report | Law Reform Paper based on topic provided by Centre | 40% | Week 12 | 1 |
Journal | Three reflective learning journals starting in week 3 | 60% | Ongoing | 1 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Assessment criteria
High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
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Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
University’s Academic Integrity Policy defines plagiarism as the act of misrepresenting as one’s own original work: another’s ideas, interpretations, words, or creative works; and/or one’s own previous ideas, interpretations, words, or creative work without acknowledging that it was used previously (i.e., self-plagiarism). The University considers the act of plagiarising to be a breach of the Student Conduct Code and, therefore, subject to the Discipline Regulations which provide for a range of penalties including the reduction of marks or grades, fines and suspension from the University.
Bond University utilises Originality Reporting software to inform academic integrity.Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, as per the Assessment Policy.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
If you have a disability, illness, injury or health condition that impacts your capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks, it is important you let us know your special requirements, early in the semester. Students will need to make an application for support and submit it with recent, comprehensive documentation at an appointment with a Disability Officer. Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Office at the earliest possible time, to meet staff and learn about the services available to meet your specific needs. Please note that late notification or failure to disclose your disability can be to your disadvantage as the University cannot guarantee support under such circumstances.
Additional subject information
The Cultural Competency Clinic is an elective subject in the Bachelor of Laws program offered by the Faculty of Law. Students will undertake a placement at YFS Legal in Logan under the supervision of an Indigenous solicitor. The aim of the clinic is to provide an understanding of a culturally competent criminal law practice. Students will assist lawyers with service delivery to a culturally diverse client group of young people in the criminal justice system. Students will engage in a wide range of criminal law work such as writing submissions to drop charges, writing law reform, preparing communication to clients and supporting solicitors in court, as well as have an opportunity to critically reflect on their placement experience. | This subject contains content that some students may find distressing, disturbing or culturally challenging. Students with concerns about the content of any subject are encouraged to discuss this with their teacher and consider how best to prepare themselves to study challenging material in a way that is appropriate for them. | Students may be asked to respond to questions from the subject coordinator regarding the content of their assessments. Students are expected to keep evidence of drafting and research.
Subject curriculum
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YFS Induction
Introduction to YFS – CEO Welcome; Introduction to Legal; Program expectations; outcomes and outline WH&S; Vicarious Trauma; Law Reform Discussion.
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Database/ Administration
Introduction to LEAP – basic administration; Tentative Excursion to Brisbane District Court.
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Youth Justice
Administrative Tasks; Tentative Guest Speaker; Session on Restorative Justice.
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Communication
Tentative Guest Speaker; Session on oral communication – focus on culturally competent communication skills; Law Reform.
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Briefs of Evidence
What is a BOE; Preparing a Brief for Counsel Correspondence to Counsel; Law Reform.
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Advocacy
Attending Court with Solicitors; Follow up Administrative Tasks.
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Submission Writing
Tentative Guest Speaker – Barrister; Write a Submission on one of: Public Interest, Amended Facts, substituted charge or withdraw – no evidence.
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Community Legal Education
Attending Court with Solicitors; Follow up Administrative Tasks; Tentative Guest Speaker; Focus on Community Education in rural communities, as well as current LAQ initiatives, communication styles and tips for young practitioners.
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Law Reform
Working on Law Reform Topic. Draft Letter to Minister on law reform topic.
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Children’s Court of Queensland
Attending Court with Solicitors; Follow up Administrative Tasks; Attending the Children’s Court of Queensland to observe higher court matters.
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Police Interviews/ Police Interactions with Young People
Administration Tasks including Letters; Session on Police interactions with Young People; Observing BWC Footage, CCTV, and EROI’s.
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Bail
Attending Court with Solicitors; Follow up Administrative Task; Bail Session: How to apply for bail? What the court must consider? Mock bail applications.
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Working with First Nations Young People
Tentative Guest Speaker; Final Law Reform Presentation by Students.