LAWS 4011 Law Honours Dissertation

Credit Points 20

Legacy Code 200700

Coordinator Sandy Noakes Opens in new window

Description This subject comprises the continued research and writing of a research dissertation of between 8,000 and 12,000 words on an approved topic in law that was developed in unit LAWS 4016 Legal Research and Methodology with an approved research proposal and supervisor. The subject is only open to students who have successfully completed LAWS 4016 Legal Research and Methodology and are enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program. The subject provides an opportunity for law students to further develop and refine their legal research and writing skills and to explore and analyse a legal topic chosen in consultation with the School of Law Honours Coordinator, in order to produce a high-quality piece of academic work. This subject can only be commenced in Spring Session.

School Law

Discipline Law, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 20cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 4 subject

Pre-requisite(s) LAWS 4016 Legal Research and Methodology

Restrictions

This subject is only available to students enrolled in Bachelor of Laws (Honours) programs:

2828 Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) (Honours) 
2829 Bachelor of Laws (Non graduate entry) (Honours)
2830 Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
2831 Bachelor of Social Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
2832 Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
2833 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
2834 Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
2835 Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
2836 Bachelor of Criminal and Community Justice/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
2837 Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) 
2838 Bachelor of Construction Management Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) 
2839 Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) 
2840 Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) 
2841 Bachelor of Information Systems/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) 
2842 Bachelor of Information Systems Advanced/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
2844 Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Assumed Knowledge

For more information about Honours in Law, please visit the following link: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/schools/sol/honours

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Undertake a research project addressing a particular legal theoretical and/or practical issue
2. Execute self-regulation and autonomy in conducting legal research 
3. Present research project outcomes   
4. Submit a written thesis that is clear, logically structured, and includes appropriate citation and attribution 

Subject Content

  1. Legal Research
  2. Legal theories and appropriate methodology
  3. Writing your draft thesis
  4. Final Thesis presentation and preparation

Special Requirements

Legislative pre-requisites

Special requirements will depend on research topic and will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Thesis 8,000 to 12,000 words 100 Y Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Hutchinson, Terry, Researching and Writing in Law (Thomson Reuters, 4th ed, 2018)
  • Jensen, Joli Write No Matter What: Advice For Academics (The University of Chicago Press, 2017) 

Teaching Periods

Spring (2023)

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Azadeh Dastyari Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Summer (2023)

Online

Online

Subject Contact Sandy Noakes Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Spring (2024)

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Azadeh Dastyari Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window