Law Honours 1: Writing for Publication

Course aim

This course is one of two courses which precede the writing of the Honours Thesis. It is aimed at extending and refining a student’s ability to construct complex legal arguments through reflective and critical analysis. It introduces students to the requirements of scholarly research and writing, with a particular focus on preparing an article for publication in a scholarly law journal. It aims to develop advanced skills in developing an original research proposal, presenting research findings and constructing sophisticated and persuasive written arguments. The major assessment item enables students to examine a legal topic of particular interest in detail and to demonstrate in-depth knowledge in this specialist area. This course also provides students with personal mentoring by experienced research-active teaching staff as well as an opportunity to publish their article in the University of South Australia Student Law Review.

Course content

Introduction to academic research and writing in law
Academic integrity and the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.
Choosing a topic
Legal research methods
Using word processing applications and document templates
Effective academic writing
Managing time and writing blocks
Structuring an argument and making a claim
Editing your work
Writing an abstract

Textbook(s)

Volokh E 2010, Academic Legal Writing: Law Review Articles, Student Notes, Seminar Papers, and Getting on Law Review , 4th ed, Foundation Press, New York N.Y.

Prerequisite(s)

The completion of Law Honours is by invitation and selection only. Eligible students must have a Grade Point Average of no less than 5.3 calculated using law core courses and law electives studied at UniSA. This course is also available as an elective to other students who meet these criteria, but who do not wish to take the full Law Honours program.

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Research proposal, Scholarly article

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 3)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.