law2plp public interest law pract
PUBLIC INTEREST LAW PRACTICE
LAW2PLP
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject students experience public interest law in practice and reflect critically on the work and obligations of lawyers and the operation of the legal system. Students spend 12 days at the placement site (normally one day a week), have a designated site supervisor and have regular meetings with an academic supervisor on campus. In the seminars the scope, practice and ethical aspects of public interest lawyering is explored. In the supervised tutorials students reflect on, compare and contrast their placement experiences
SchoolLa Trobe Law School
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorBen Walsh
Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsNo
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Completion of 120 credit points of LAW units
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Current enrolment in Bachelor of Laws: Entrance into the course is by application only. Application forms are available from and submitted to the Faculty Student Services Office, Donald Whitehead Building 208. They can also be downloaded from the School's home page
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Learning objective 1: To practise a reflective approach to learning. Student learning outcomes 1. Describe and discuss student experience on placement. 2. Analyse and reflect on the student experience. 3. Relate the past student experience to future conduct and identify how you might respond differently.
- Activities:
- Assessments Reflective Journal & Participation in supervision sessions
02. Learning objective 2: To explain and evaluate the concept, techniques and practice of public interest law and its place within legal practice options Student learning outcomes 1. Summarise, critique and discuss readings relating to definition of public interest law practice. 2. Summarise, critique and discuss readings and experience from placement organisations about sites of public interest law practice. 3. Discuss whether public interest law practice differs from traditional legal practice. 4. Research and present a written appraisal of a given topic addressing the theoretical, practical and ethical dimensions of public interest law practice.
- Activities:
- Class Participation in seminars and supervision sessions and take home exam. 2,000 word take home exam
03. Learning objective 3: To explain and analyse the professional and ethical responsibilities of a legal practitioner in public interest law practice Student learning outcomes 1. Identify the legal professional responsibilities of a public interest law practitioner. 2. Identify and discuss a range of ethical issues in public interest law practice. 3. Perform and conduct yourself in an appropriate professional manner while on placement in a legal practice or legal policy/research environment.
- Activities:
- Assessments Participation in Seminars and Supervision Sessions and reflective journals. Participation in Seminars and Supervision Sessions and reflective journals. Placement assessment.
04. Learning objective 4: To apply good written and oral communication skills in a legal environment. Student learning outcomes 1. Use clear communication in written work (eg letters; policy submissions; research memoranda; memoranda to Counsel and similar) while on placement in a legal practice or policy research environment. 2. Use clear oral communication with relevant personnel while on placement. 3. Display clear written skills. 4. Display clear oral communication skills.
- Activities:
- Assessments Placement assessment, Reflective journals and take home exam, Participation in Seminars and Supervision Sessions
05. Learning objective 5: To apply legal research skills in a legal environment. Student learning outcomes 1. Use research skills while on placement in a legal practice or policy research environment. 2. Demonstrate ability to identify legal and non-legal issues
- Activities:
- Placement assessment
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2015, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentNo
Maximum enrolment size20
Enrolment information Restricted by available external placement sites. Ballot with preference to final year students.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorMary Anne Noone
Class requirements
Placement - Off SiteWeek: 10 - 22
One 6.0 days placement - off site per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours seminar every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| class participation | 10 | 02 | |
| performance according to criteria provided to student and host organisation prior to placement | 20 | 03, 04, 05 | |
| six reflective journals approximately 300-words each. | 30 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| take home exam 2,000-words. | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
Melbourne, 2015, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentNo
Maximum enrolment size20
Enrolment information Restricted by available external placement sites. Ballot with preference to final year students.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorMary Anne Noone
Class requirements
PracticalWeek: 31 - 43
One 6.0 days practical per study period on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
Six 2.0 hours seminar every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
Six 1.0 hours tutorial every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| class participation | 10 | 02 | |
| performance according to criteria provided to student and host organisation prior to placement | 20 | 03, 04, 05 | |
| six reflective journals approximately 300-words each. | 30 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| take home exam 2,000-words. | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |