Research Support Units

To assist candidates in planning and executing a thesis project, and to expedite progress, Faculty runs three thesis support units (special arrangements may be made for attendance by interstate candidates). These units are compulsory requirement for PhD and SJD candidates (Masters candidates require to complete Legal Research 1 only):

Legal Research 1

Unit Coordinator:

This is a 13 week, evening unit (two hours per week; normally Semester 1), which concentrates on developing a clear Strategy for the thesis, including identification of the argument and the selection of appropriate methodologies. The unit is a planning unit, which also addresses some skills (such as database searching and organisation of material). It is normally undertaken immediately after candidature is accepted.

Legal Research 2

Unit Coordinator:

This is a two hour seminar over 13 weeks, which is offered once a year, usually in semester 2. It concentrates on writing up a chapter length piece of research which advances a central argument (or arguments) in the thesis. It is normally undertaken no earlier than the second year of candidature, when such a foundation chapter is able to be written. The class is strongly oriented towards addressing actual problems/issues encountered by members of the class in progressing their thesis.

Legal Research 3

Unit Coordinator:

This unit, which sometimes spans the semester 1 and 2 non-teaching period, is taken when candidates have reached the full or penultimate draft stage of their thesis. In addition to facilitating group discussion and feedback on individual theses, the class meets over a one or two day period as a mini-conference, where members present an extended form of their thesis to colleagues (and academic staff supervisors) for discussion and critique. It is a kind of informal viva which helps to refine the almost completed dissertation.