| AQF Level |
Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
047337J |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The Master of Laws is an academic programs for Australian and International law graduates seeking to extend their knowledge of law and their training in research and legal skills to an advance level. The Masters of Law promotes comprehensive knowledge of relevant laws in context, fostering a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of this dynamic area. Units available for study within the program enable students to specialise in one of five areas: corporate and commercial law, environmental law, international law, media and technology law, and social justice. They are delivered in a flexible way by means of internal or distance modes. Furthermore, students will received enhanced training in legal research by undertaking a research project on issues concerning governance, law and policy. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1. examine a broad and complex body of legal knowledge (K)
2. analyse the broader context in which law and legal principles have application including interdisciplinary, international and comparative perspectives (K, E)
3. identify and resolve complex legal problems (T, P)
4. synthesise legal research skills and implement them to ensure the successful resolution of specific legal problems and to the formulation and articulation of law and policy reform (P, E)
5. communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written forms to specialist and generalist audiences (C)
6. plan and implement independent research, self-directed learning and develop new and creative ideas and solutions to contemporary problems (P, J). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
The Master of Laws is an academic programs for Australian and International law graduates seeking to extend their knowledge of law and their training in research and legal skills to an advance level. The Masters of Law promotes comprehensive knowledge of relevant laws in context, fostering a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of this dynamic area. Units available for study within the program enable students to specialise in one of five areas: corporate and commercial law, environmental law, international law, media and technology law, and social justice. They are delivered in a flexible way by means of internal or distance modes. Furthermore, students will receive enhanced training in legal research by undertaking a research project on issues concerning governance, law and policy.
In order to achieve these aims, teaching and learning in this program is undertaken by means of various methods: lectures, tutorials, intensive on-campus sessions, supervised on-line activities and supervised research projects. Lectures are delivered by experts in the legal fields relevant to the different units of the program. Lecturers use visual aids such as power-point slides, video clips and web-based materials. They also provide in advance appropriate readings that allow students to understand the content being taught. Lectures are recorded (and some of them are pre-recorded) for external students and for internal students unable to attend them or willing to listen to them again. Lectures are structured for the purpose of introducing each topic in a way that allows students to comprehend the compulsory and complementary readings and to participate in the seminars, tutorials and intensive on-campus sessions.
Internal students will attend a lecture followed by a tutorial that is scheduled either in the week the lecture is delivered or in the following week. External students attend an on-campus session that is usually scheduled during the mid-semester break. Student-centred activities take place in tutorials and intensive on-campus session. In those activities, students divided in small groups have the opportunity to improve the knowledge acquired in the lecture and apply it to solve hypothetical or real life legal issues, or to develop critical perspectives on current legal problems. Those teaching activities are designed to train students in legal critical thinking and legal research skills.
Furthermore, each unit of the Master of Laws has an on-line website. Schedules of activities, readings, lecture slides, assessment tasks and other relevant information are uploaded onto the website. Each website also has one or more discussion forum in which students can ask questions to lecturers and tutors, discuss topics with their peers, and carry out supervised teaching and learning activities, such as collaborative research projects.
Finally, students can undertake a supervised research project during one or two semesters, whose outcome is a 15.000 to 20.000 words dissertation. The dissertation topic may be drawn from any area in the program. The student will be supervised by one of the staff members participating in the program. The dissertation will normally be examined within the Law School. |
| Assessment |
At the end of the Masters in Law it is expected for students to be able to understand broad and complex body of legal knowledge in the field of their specialization, analyse the broader context in which law and legal principles have application including interdisciplinary, international and comparative perspectives, identify and resolve complex legal problems, develop legal research skills and implement them to ensure the successful resolution of specific legal problems and to the formulation and articulation of law and policy reform, communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written forms to specialist and generalist audiences, and plan and implement independent research, self-directed learning and develop new and creative ideas and solutions to contemporary problems.
In order to achieve these learning outcomes, assessment in this program is undertaken by means of various tasks, including research essays, assignments and exams, online quizzes, collaborative projects, oral presentations, class and online participation, and an optional dissertation. Research essays require carrying out an independent research project, in which students should search for relevant primary and secondary sources, classify, analyse and evaluate them, and develop an original argument in written form for supporting a reasonable answer to a research question. Assignments and exams usually require students to apply acquired knowledge in order to solve complex theoretical or practical legal problems. Assignments and exams can also include analysis of cases, interpretation of statutes and the development of law reform proposals. Online quizzes are designed to test the development of precise legal skills, such as case briefing and statutory interpretation or the acquisition of certain substantial knowledge. Collaborative projects normally involve collective reflection on complex legal issues that allow for different perspectives. These projects aim to prepare students for environments of group-work in which disagreement is unavoidable. Oral presentations are typically the final stage of a research task. They seek to enhance the development of oral communication skills that are basic in the legal practice. Active learning and engagement in each unit can be tested by means of class and online participation. Finally, students might chose to write a legal dissertation that will usually be marked by a staff member of the law school.
Written essays, assignments, exams and the dissertation should usually be submitted via turnitin. This helps ensure compliance by students to the academic honesty policy of the University. Each assessment task is marked against a rubric. Each rubric spells out the marking criteria that markers will use to determine the level of performance of students in the relevant task. Rubrics will be provided to students for each assessment prior to the due date. Moreover, detailed written feedback is provided for all written assignments. Students may seek additional feedback in consultation with the original marker or unit convenor. There is no automatic right to a remark for any assignment. Feedback is provided in a timely manner and within a timeframe to allow students to digest it and use it as guide to improving the completion of the other assessments in the unit. Grade appeals may be made at the end of each semester and are determined according to the Macquarie University policy on appeals against grade. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
This program enables legal professionals to demonstrate advanced mastery of law as a discipline, including in specific sub disciplines such as environmental law, international law, media and technology law, social justice and corporate and commercial law. Graduates may apply their knowledge in practice with private firms, government agencies and non-governmental organizations. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
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