SoCIETIE Initiative courses are open to students from any degree who are seeking to create positive change in their communities.
The SoCIETIE Initiative cultivates the skillsets and mindsets to tackle complex challenges, from local community issues to global concerns. In a transdisciplinary learning environment, students, academics and practitioners will learn from each other to deepen our understanding of the world and turn knowledge into actions through collaboration with partners in the community sector and beyond.
SoCIETIE @ the ANU McCusker Institute
The SoCIETIE Initiative at the McCusker Institute champions Social Change, Impact, Engagement, Transformation, Inclusion & Equity through an inclusive and flexible curriculum model.
See https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/ for information about the McCusker Institute, and a guide on upcoming opportunities.
KNOTs (to Know the Nature Of Things..)
This course is unlike any other course at the University. You are empowered to shape your own learning journey by choosing modules, which we call KNOTs, aligned with specific areas of social value. KNOTs cover the skills and the big ideas needed to create change in our community, and the opportunity to develop these skills in supported engagements with community sector partners. KNOTs are informed by expert academics and practitioners on topics such as transdisciplinary problem-solving, creating social impact and change, engaging with diverse stakeholders, harnessing disciplinary knowledge, critical thinking, and incorporating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.
See https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/ for a schedule of upcoming KNOTs.
LAWS4001 - Unravelling Complexity
The 4000-level course is specifically for students enrolled in the ALLB and prepared to apply their legal knowledge to issues broader societal issues in collaboration with students from other areas of the university. The selection of topics can be tailored to explore areas of interest related broadly to the legal system and/or bring legal perspectives to complex societal issues.
Apply to be part of SoCIETIE
Students must complete an Expression of Interest to enrol in the SoCIETIE Initiative courses. Once your Expression of Interest is received, if you have not previously taken the course you will be invited to an Induction session and then provided with a permission code to enrol in the course.
See https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/ to submit an Expression of Interest.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- compare, contrast and apply concepts, arguments and evidence to transdisciplinary problems across scales
- model the qualities and approaches that support inclusive collaboration for social engagement across difference;
- assess relationships and contextual dynamics to influence change across fields, disciplines and/or knowledge systems;
- explore alternative approaches and potential effectiveness of actions through self-evaluation and critical reflection, and;
- provide and situate legal perspectives and methodologies on broader societal issues
Work Integrated Learning
Projects
All students will complete a collaborative project with a partner as part of this course
Other Information
See https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/ for up-to-date information about the upcoming course offerings.
Students wishing to undertake this course must complete an Expression of Interest in order to receive a permission code. Successful applicants will be provided with a permission code from the Law School.
Law students undertaking LAWS4001 must apply the course themes to a complex issue that has a strong legal basis in their Learning Portfolio.
Indicative Assessment
- Course pathway proposal [Induction KNOT] (25) [LO 4]
- Delivery and completion of workshop activities [Skills, Perspectives and Project KNOTs] (25) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Completion of a learning portfolio [Completion KNOT] (50) [LO 1,2,4]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 35 hours of contact through activities associated with KNOTs, which may include a flexible combination of seminars, workshops, tutorials, studios, and on-site visits; and
b) 95 hours of independent student research, reading, writing, and/or group work directly related to KNOTs
Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have three contact hours per week. Students are generally expected to devote at least 10 hours overall per week to this course.
Click here for the LLB Program course list
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the ANU Law School to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
There are no prescribed texts for this course. Readings will be made available on Wattle as required.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5280 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3791 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | View |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9255 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |