The extended course LAWS3777 will build upon the LAWS3555 internship by introducing an in depth applied research component. In completing an extended or intensive option, students will have the opportunity to further develop professional workplace skills and engage in deeper self-reflection and analysis of the experience as a stepping stone into a graduate career. At the end of the course students should be able to take initiative in developing and conducting legal research and advocacy, demonstrate effective written communication skills by articulating concepts clearly, persuasively and appropriately, demonstrate critical and analytical engagement with the subject matter, locate, use and provide citation for resources appropriately in support of an argument in a professional setting as evidenced by the partner organisation evaluation.
Enrolment in a one term internships will be a corequisite or prerequisite for the extended internship. The purpose of this course is to allow for students to undertake intensive or extended internships. It is not intended as a stand-alone course. This course must run consecutively or concurrently with the standard one term internship course. The extended internship course cannot be taken as an individual course or later after completion of a one-term internship (LAWS3555).
The extended internship will be taught by individual supervision with online modules. Depending on the internship structure, students will attend classes for the one-term internship and for the extended courses will be individually supervised with assessments based on an agreed workplace research project. Assessment tasks will be flexible and designed to provide a framework to create value for the host organisation in addition to applied research experience for the student. The research task may be in the form of a law reform submission, contribution to websites or blogs, advocacy campaign design, article for publication, presentation or memo to staff of the organisation. Assessment tasks would include a research project brief, a final research project report, course participation and professional reflection and placement organisation evaluation.
Students must take the courses in terms that are consecutive and intern with the same organisation in both terms. Enrolment for the extended internship, including the proposed research project, would require approval by the Director of Experiential Learning. The criteria would be the same as adopted in relation to LAWS3555, that is, that the placement will enhance the student’s learning in relation to a particular area of law, policy, advocacy or the legal profession. Interns are to be supervised by a qualified lawyer, are unpaid, tasks are new learning opportunities and legal in nature and the organisation is willing and able to sign the UNSW WIL agreement or can come to an agreement in partnership with UNSW legal and WIL central to provide genuine learning experiences that will assist the students to fulfil assessment requirements and achieve learning outcomes.
All courses will be satisfactory/non satisfactory completion.
