Details of each assessment task:
3 In-class Test (15%)
Time: 10-15 minutes
The Test will consist of 5 short answer questions.
It is a closed book exam. Attendance is compulsory. Exemptions may only be made on medical grounds or exceptional circumstances.
Minor Assignment (15%)
Maximum Word Limit: 1,000 words (excluding footnotes and references); no 10% leeway.
Students will submit a written answer for the tutorial problem(s) which they are assigned to lead a group discussion in class.
Students are strongly advised to use the IPAAC (Issues, Principles, Authorities, Application, Conclusion) format for solution of problem questions in their written answers. The IPAAC format will be explained and discussed in class before the first Minor Assignment is due.
Tutorial Leadership (10%)
Time: approximately 35 minutes (including questions and answers)
Students, who are assigned to submit a written answer for the tutorial problem(s) (ie the minor assignment), will also be required to lead a group discussion for those questions in class. The leader should not simply read out his/her preparation of the tutorial problem(s) to peers. Rather, the leader should also facilitate, manage and encourage discussion. Toward the end of the group discussion, the leader will be assessed by his/her fellow classmates using a grading rubric. The Lecturer-in-charge will review the peers’ assessment and award the leader a final grade.
Tutorial Participation (15%)
i) Oral participation
Weight: 6%
Time: approximately 2-3 minutes (per question or response)
Students not being assigned to lead a tutorial discussion in a given week are encouraged to take an active role in the group and class discussion so as to derive the most benefit out of the exercise. In order to award students’ effort and contribution, not limited to the following criteria, marks will be given to students who ask questions which are related to the tutorial problems, offer sensible or constructive responses to peers’ questions, share their thought-provoking ideas with the class, and provide helpful feedback to leader about his/her performance. Marks will not be deducted for ‘incorrect’ comments in the discussion unless such comments indicate an absence of preparation for the tutorial questions. Marks will not be awarded for mere attendance.
ii) Written participation
Weight: 9%
Maximum Word Limit: 200 words (footnotes and references are NOT required)
Students, who are not assigned as tutorial leader in a given week, are required to make a preparatory note. The preparatory note should include items in the IPAAC format (see details below) and upload onto Moodle. The purpose of this assessment is to assist students in practising the basic writing skills for the EXAM.
Formal Exam – OPEN BOOK examination – (2 hours)
Weight: 50%
The Formal Exam will be a 2 hour open book exam held during the UNSW exam period. The Formal Exam will require students to demonstrate that they can apply the IPAAC methodology to solve legal problems. In particular, the Formal Exam will assess students’ abilities in relation to the following:
- Correct identification of the relevant legal issues.
- Correct identification of the rules necessary to resolve the legal issues identified.
- Evidence of an understanding of the practical application of the law involved to the facts of the question, whether this is common law or statutory law or both.
- Evidence of a full and comprehensive argument applying the facts to the legal rules taking into account differing viewpoints and alternative arguments.
- Evidence of a reasonable conclusion regarding each relevant legal issue.
Students will need to undertake independent study and preparation prior to the exam which may require independent research to understand issues commonly involved in legal problem questions.
For information on studying and preparing for an open book exam, please visit.
Assessment Format
For the minor assignment and the exam, students are strongly advised to use the IPAAC format for solution of problem questions in their written answers, which format will be explained and discussed in class.
Minor assignment must include a Cover sheet available on Moodle. In addition:
- Your name and student number must be on the footer of every page together with a page number.
- Please leave a margin of at least 4 cm on the right hand margin of every page so the marker has room to make comments.
- Please use at least a 12 point font and one and a half (1.5) spaced lines.
- All written submissions (include minor assignment and written participation, must be submitted in Word file).
Note: student’s referencing must follow the Australian Guide to Legal Citation