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Learning skills drop-in sessions and classes run by the Law Library
Drop-in sessions
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, at the Research and Learning Point,
Law Library, level 1 (see the plasma screen for times).
Come to the Research and Learning desk in the Law Library at times to be confirmed.
General classes
These will be held on Mondays in Semester 1 2012. Each session is
run twice, usually on the same day. Venue: 12 - 1pm, Law Library 3rd floor
meeting room; 1 - 2pm L5, level 2, Law Building.
| Wk |
Date |
Topic |
Description |
| 1 |
27 February, 12.00-1.00 |
Managing set readings, lectures and note-taking |
Why come into Uni when lectures are available on-line?
Learn how to get the most out of lectures, and how they link with
exams. The key is using note-taking techniques to tie lectures and
readings together, and lead into exam preparation. |
| 1 |
27 February, 1.00-2.00 |
Taking control of your Law studies |
How to prioritise all your activities to make the best
of leisure and study time. Strategies for self-assessing and
self-directing your study for the best results. |
| 2 |
5 March, 12.00-1.00 |
Taking control of your Law studies |
How to prioritise all your activities to make the best
of leisure and study time. Strategies for self-assessing and
self-directing your study for the best results. |
| 2 |
5 March, 1.00-2.00 |
Managing set readings, lectures and note-taking |
Why come into Uni when the lectures are available
online? Learn how to get the most out of lectures, and how they link
with exams. The key is using note-taking techniques to tie lectures
and readings together, and lead into exam preparation. |
| 3 |
12 March, 12.00-1.00 & 1.00-2.00 |
Coping with reading |
Law students complain about the amount of reading to
be done. You can read it all, provided you use different techniques
to help you keep up. |
| 4 |
19 March, 12.00-1.00 & 1.00-2.00 |
Reading for critical analysis |
Once the basic reading is done, then the analysis and
evaluation starts. Use different techniques to find the argument,
claims and evidence, and the tools to evaluate each one. This type
of reading is reflected in the top grades because the analysis is
starting from the initial reading. |
| 5 |
26 March, 12.00-1.00 & 1.00-2.00 |
Case Law - finding cases and writing a case note |
This seminar is a combined research and writing
session, focusing on how to search for cases online and how to
prepare a case note. You will need to bring a wireless-enabled
laptop. |
| 6 |
2 April, 12.00-1.00 & 1.00-2.00 |
Assignments - where the marks come from |
Understanding the difference between an adequate
answer and an evaluative one. What styles to use, and what
structures work best for different assignments. Covers reports,
problem-style and general assignments. |
|
No seminars held over mid-semester break: desk
times may be available. |
| 7 |
16 April, 12.00-1.00 & 1.00-2.00 |
Building summaries: different styles |
On the continuum between the original version and your
own work, where does a summary lie? The difference between summaries
and notes, and how to avoid originality problems with both. Develop
your own style. |
| 8 |
23 April, 12.00-1.00 & 1.00-2.00 |
Analysing a research essay question and building an argument |
The basics depend on the lecturer's expectations of an
answer - the marking guide gives a good indication. Address the
question, show good reading skills, develop an argument, and use the
correct academic conventions. |
| 9 |
30 April, 12.00-1.00 & 1.00-2.00 |
The writing process |
How much time to spend on each of the steps involved?
How soon should I start writing? How will I know when I've finished
researching? How many drafts do I need to write? Not to mention
other problems. |
| 10 |
7 May, 12.00-1.00 & 1.00-2.00 |
Improving structure and coherence |
How to make a finished work flow through from
background, definition, thesis statement, argument outline,
paragraph claims and evidence, to the conclusion. What belongs
where, and how to link it all together. |
| 11 |
14 May, 12.00-1.00 & 1.00-2.00 |
Writing clearly and concisely |
Communication matters - your writing has to be precise
(or ambiguities arise) and concise (or penalties apply). Your
writing also has to use academic written language conventions, which
are a specialist area in themselves. |
| 12 |
21 May, 12.00-1.00 & 1.00-2.00 |
Preparing for exams |
|
| Swot vac |
28 May, 12.00-1.00 & 1.00-2.00 |
Essay questions in exams & building an argument |
Essay examination answers need a similar approach to
assignment essays. Look for the key words in the question, consider
any limits, and develop a well reasoned response clearly and
logically answered. |
Bookings online
via my.monash (search for classes using law as keywords) or phone 990-58657
Postgraduate classes
These will be held on selected Tuesdays and Fridays in Trimester 1 2012,
at Monash University Law Chambers. Consultations may
also be arranged, see contact details below.
Target audience: First trimester JD
| Topic |
Description |
Date/time |
| Legal writing tasks |
Become familiar with the predictable structures of legal
assignments (legal problem-solving, argumentative essays, case
studies and memos) and develop approaches to planning your writing
task. |
Tuesday 17 January, 5.00-6.00
Friday 20 January, 3.30-4.30 |
| Finding your voice (using others' ideas effectively) |
Find out what an ‘academic voice’ is, and how to establish one;
learn to use others’ writing to advance your own argument, not
detract from it by overwhelming your own voice. |
Tuesday 24 January, 5.00-6.00
Friday 27 January, 3.30-4.30 |
| Deconstructing a case note |
The session will look at the sample case note provided on the Law
Library Guide, and critique its structure, language, and referencing
with regard to lecturers' expectations. Other samples may also be
considered. |
Tuesday 14 February, 5.00-6.00
Friday 17 February, 3.30-4.30 |
| Preparing for exams |
What strategies are effective for performing well in both open
book and closed book law exams? How do I prepare effective exam
summaries? |
Tuesday 13 March, 5.00-6.00
Friday 16 March, 3.30-4.30 |
Target audience: LLM and later JD
| Topic |
Description |
Date/time |
| Polishing your prose |
Make your language clear and accurate, and learn what to check for
in the final stages of preparing your assignment for submission. |
(offer at Clayton in Sem 1) |
| Advanced writing seminar. Features of legal writing |
Find out how to make your writing fit the requirements of good
legal style. |
Tuesday 17 January, 2.00-3.00
Friday 20 January, 11:30-12:30 |
| Advanced writing seminar. From thesis statement to conclusion |
Learn writing strategies that will make your argument emerge
strongly. |
Tuesday 24 January, 2.00-3.00
Friday 27 January, 11:30-12:30 |
| Advanced writing seminar. Coherence throughout the research essay |
Good legal writing organises argument by emphasising logical
coherence at paragraph level. This workshop presents some techniques
to use. |
Tuesday 14 February, 2.00-3.00
Friday 17 February, 11:30-12:30 |
| Advanced writing seminar. Effectively integrating sources |
By using the five different types of legal sources in various
ways, from citing through to summarising, you can effectively
emphasise your points and respond to counter arguments. |
Tuesday 13 March, 2.00-3.00
Friday 16 March, 11:30-12:30 |
Bookings: You can check when and where these sessions are
scheduled and book your place online
via my.monash booking system. Search for a specific session using the
session title as a keyword or law and postgraduate as keywords to see all
sessions.
For further information about learning skills classes at the Law Library,
to arrange additional classes, or to arrange a consultation, please contact:
- Patricia
Hughes Monday to Thursday - Law Library, Clayton. Friday - Law
Chambers, City.
-
Janice Pinder Wednesday - Law Library, Clayton. Tuesday - Law
Chambers, City.
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