The course aims to introduce students to a cultural study of law, by exposing students to the humanistic intellectual tradition within the liberal arts. The course will be interdisciplinary. The topics and readings will be centred on the theme of the ‘Foundations of Law’. The theme bears an allusion to the first-year compulsory course that all law students at the ANU have to take: the ‘Foundations of Australian Law’. However, in this elective course, we are interested in a different kind of foundation. We will interrogate not the foundations of any particular legal system, but the foundations of law itself. Whereas the ‘Foundations of Australian Law’ equips students with the foundational skills of legal reasoning, this elective course invites students to take a step back to consider and interrogate the foundational mythologies of law. We will explore the ‘Foundations of Law’ through the humanistic disciplines of classics, literature, philosophy and theology, which present different modes and means of inquiring into the assumptions and aspirations that we ascribe to law.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate coherent and advanced knowledge of the relationship between law and the humanities;
2. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the conceptual foundations of law within the humanistic intellectual tradition;
3. Exercise critical thinking and judgment concerning the assumptions and aspirations of law;
4. Engage with legal materials as a critical and creative reader;
5. Participate in intellectual discussions about the foundations of law through a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas;
6. Formulate an interdisciplinary research topic with some independence; and
7. Be accountable for their own learning by presenting a theoretically informed and well-structured research paper, with some independence.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Comment on Research Topic Proposal
• Class Discussion
• Student Consultation

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Extensions late submission and penalties - https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Special consideration: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/special-assessment-consideration

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of Grades Policy: Effective from Winter Session and Second Semester 2018 (and until further notice), an interim scaling guideline applies to all courses in the LLB (Hons) and JD programs. Please see: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading

Further Information about the Course: is available from the course WATTLE page. Students are required to access the WATTLE site regularly throughout the course for details on weekly classes and any announcements relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction
2	Natural Law I
3	Natural Law II
4	Natural Law III
5	Natural Law IV
6	Natural Law V
7	Law and Art I
8	Law and Art II
9	Law and Art III
10	Law and Art IV
11	Law and Art V
12	Conclusion

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Research Topic Proposal (Optional)	0 %	05/07/2019	08/07/2019	1,2,3,4,6,7
Discussant Role (Wattle Post)	10 %	12/07/2019	22/07/2019	4,5
Discussant Role (Class Participation)	10 %	12/07/2019	22/07/2019	4,5
Research Paper	80 %	31/07/2019	31/08/2019	1,2,3,4,6,7

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Assessment Task 1

Research Topic Proposal (Optional)

Details of Task: Students will select their own research topic for the Research Paper. Students can, but are not required to, discuss their topics with the lecturers before submission. The discussion should be initiated by email, which may be followed up with a meeting.

Students are welcome to email their research topic proposals to the lecturers for comment. This task is optional, and it has no impact on the final mark for the course. If students want feedback at the mid-point through the teaching of the course, then they should email their research topic proposals by 5 July 2019. The lecturers will reply with comments by 8 July 2019. Students can also email their research topic proposals to the lecturers after that date. The lecturers will continue to be available for consultation, by email and in person, up till the submission date for the Research Paper.

Nature of Task: This task is optional, and it has no impact on the final mark for the course.

Weighting: 0%

Word limit: N/A

Release: Students can commence working on their essays from the beginning of the course.

Due date: 5 July 2019 5pm via Email

Estimated return date: 8 July 2019 via Email

Assessment Criteria: N/A

Assessment Task 2

Discussant Role (Wattle Post)

Details of Task: Each student will be allocated as a discussant for one session. The allocation will be done alphabetically, based on the student’s last name. The discussant will be required to make a post on the Wattle forum the day before the session.The Wattle post should be a reflection on the prescribed readings, and could, for example, be framed as a question that you would like to ask the class to consider or as a question that you would like to ask the author of the materials that you have read.

Nature of Task: This item of assessment is compulsory and non-redeemable. Students who fail to complete this item of assessment will receive a mark of 0 for this item.

Weighting: 10%

Word limit: 200 words

Release: N/A

Due date: The day before your nominated session. Late submissions are accepted, although late penalties will apply.

Estimated return date: 22 July 2019 through the Wattle Grade Book

Assessment Criteria: The Wattle post before class should demonstrate a thoughtful reflection on the prescribed readings.

Assessment Task 3

Discussant Role (Class Participation)

Details of Task: Each student will be allocated as a discussant for one session. The allocation will be done alphabetically, based on the student’s last name. The discussant will be required to contribute to the class discussion at the session.This task will evaluate the student’s ability to engage with the readings as a critical and creative reader, and participate in intellectual discussions about abstract legal concepts. Students are encouraged to use this opportunity to try out their ideas for the research paper.

Nature of Task: This item of assessment is compulsory and non-redeemable. Students who fail to complete this item of assessment will receive a mark of 0 for this item.

Weighting: 10%

Release: N/A

Due date: According to the schedule. If you are unable to attend a class due to illness or exceptional circumstances, please provide documentation to the convener.

Estimated return date: 22 July 2019 through the Wattle Grade Book

Assessment Criteria: The discussion in class should (a) be informed by the readings, and (b) engage with what others have said in class.

Assessment Task 4

Research Paper

Details of Task: The research paper has to be an academic essay with a well-defined thesis and argument. Students can select their own research topic, subject to one limitation: the topic has to be drawn from the materials covered in the course. Substantial independent research is required for this task. This assessment task will enable students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the relationship between law and the humanities. Students will be required to read critically in order to formulate a topic and an argument, and then structure it into a coherent research paper.

Nature of Task: This item of assessment is compulsory and non-redeemable. Students who fail to complete this item of assessment will receive a mark of 0 for this item.

Weighting: 80%

Release: Students select their own research topic. Students can, but are not required to, discuss their topics with the lecturers before submission. The discussion should be initiated by email, which may be followed up with a meeting.

Word limit: 2, 880 words.

Due date: 31 July 2019 12pm, via Turnitin and in hardcopy to the Services Office. Late submissions will be accepted, although late penalties will apply. The late penalty will be calculated based on the official date stamp on the hardcopy submission.

Estimated return date: 31 August 2019 via Turnitin and in hardcopy to the Services Office

Assessment Criteria:

Content

• Selection of a relevant and appropriate paper topic.
• Clear explanation of what the paper is attempting to accomplish.
• Accuracy in explanation of the views of theorists/arguments.
• Ability to critically evaluate material.
• Quality and precision of supporting arguments.
• Ability to anticipate and respond to possible objections.
• Where necessary, use of appropriately chosen examples.

Structure

• Clarity and coherence of structure and argument
• Construction of a sustained argument, including the avoidance of irrelevant discussion and repetition.

Expression

• Clarity and precision of use of language
• Conventional spelling, grammar and syntax
• Avoidance of waffle
• Prose easy to read, argument easy to follow
• Compliance with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The research paper must be submitted electronically via Turnitin on the course WATTLE site. You will be required to sign an electronic declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your record.

Hardcopy Submission

In addition to the online submission, the research paper must also be submitted in hardcopy to the Services Office by the same due date. The electronic document and the hardcopy must be identical. Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

OR

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students