76003 Asian Law and Legal Systems

The aim of this assessment is to demonstrate an ability to discuss aspects of Asian law topics online with peers, with reference to subject readings and relevant media reports.

1, 2 and 3

3.0 and 6.0

Approximately half a page (12 point font) per online post, with at least one comment and one response to another student each week – total equivalent for the session is 1,500 words.

The following indicate what would be expected of students to attain each grade level for Participation:

Pass: You have posted the equivalent of one comment and one response every two weeks over the whole subject, but some of your contributions have been posted very late in the subject, well after the relevant topic should have been completed. You have attempted to deal with some of the questions for discussion in each topic, but your comments are vague and unsupported and/or you do not show much awareness of other students’ opinions. You may have mentioned one or two other reading materials, but you have not explained why you are referring to them. You are “going through the motions” rather than taking part in a discussion.

Credit: You have posted at least one comment and response every two weeks in a timely manner and have dealt with many of the questions for discussion, and you have responded to other students’ comments on your own or other students’ postings. However, you have not supported your postings with many references to the readings or other relevant materials, and you have not explained why you are referring to other materials, or why you find them helpful or one sided.

Distinction: You have posted at least one comment and response every two weeks in a timely manner and dealt with many of the questions for discussion in each topic and you have responded to other students’ comments on your own or other students’ postings. You have also supported your postings with references to the readings or other relevant materials, and have included your own balanced reflections/evaluations of those materials. You have explained why you found those readings/materials helpful or otherwise.

High Distinction: You have done everything required for a Distinction, but as well you have posted more frequently and have enthusiastically participated in the discussions on all or most of the topics, maintaining a consistently high standard of work throughout the session.

Fail: You have not participated even to the minimum extent required for a Pass (as outlined above).

Written Assignment (30%): This Assignment will allow you to acquire more detailed knowledge of a particular area of Asian law through independent research & demonstrate ability to critically evaluate published materials related to the chosen topic.

Review (10%): Completing the review will give you a chance to practise your critical analysis, which is an important attribute to have in many different careers; it will also give each student some extra peer feedback on their assignment to supplement any comments given by the instructor. Such extra feedback is useful for developing your assignment writing skills in the future.

2, 3 and 4

1.0 and 3.0

Written Assignment length: minimum 1200 words and maximum 2000 words, including footnotes and bibliography;

Review length: maximum 2 typed pages in 12 point font.

Following are the criteria for your Written Assignment:

• Demonstrates a personal understanding of the principles of Asian Law and the cultural, social and political context which influences its development;
• Structures your arguments coherently, stating your thesis in the introduction and summarizing arguments and counter-arguments in the conclusion;
• Develops coherent and persuasive argument(s) addressing the question and supported by a range of reliable sources;
• Demonstrates the capacity to engage in critical analysis of sources, especially awareness of bias in sources;
• Clearly and concisely written with correct grammar and spelling;
• Accurate citation and complete referencing (AGLC3) accompanied by a bibliography

Following are the criteria for your Review. Your Review should:

• Begin by giving the title and question number of the assignment essay you are reviewing, and the name of the assignment’s author;
• Briefly summarise the main points made in the assignment that you are reviewing.
• Evaluate the author’s argument, taking into account:
  • Whether the question asked has been fully addressed
  • Whether the author has provided adequate academic support for the argument
  • Whether any argument is advanced which is not relevant to the question, or is clearly contrary to conventional opinion (it is ok to be unconventional but it should be backed up with evidence or other academic opinion); and
• Conclude by stating what you have learned from the essay and whether and why you would recommend it/not recommend it to other students in the subject.

The aim of this reflective journal is to demonstrate knowledge of Asian legal systems gained during the subject and the ability to evaluate and reflect on the subject readings and one’s developing learning throughout the subject.

1, 2, 3 and 4

1.0 and 3.0

Maximum 2000 words, but note that approximately 1000 words will be summaries of your previous online posts, not new content.

The following gives an idea of the criteria for your Reflective Journal and how these criteria will be reflected in your grade for this assignment. Your journal entries should:

• Demonstrate your reading and learning in the subject and, in particular, your reflection on and evaluation of the reading that you have done;
• Demonstrate your understanding of legal or other social, cultural and political issues related to the topics studied;
• Demonstrate your ability to explain issues logically and concisely. You should write concisely, not using any more words to explain your point than you need to, and not repeating yourself unnecessarily;
• Provide appropriate authority to support your views, using reliable sources. You do not need to engage in research for this assignment, and full citations are not required, but if you are using other peoples’ ideas, you have to acknowledge them clearly.
• Use correct spelling and grammar.
• Demonstrate your capacity to give appropriate, thoughtful responses to the comments of other students relevant to the topics you have selected.

This is an approximate guide to the kind of criteria that we expect for each grade for the Reflective Journal:

Pass: You have covered the required topics, but you have not referred to many of the required readings or to other relevant newspaper/internet articles, and you have not given your own evaluations/reflections on the topics and readings or on other students' comments. Alternatively, you may get a Pass if you have failed to cover all the topics, but the work you have done is of a high standard.

Credit: You have covered the required topics and have referred to many of the required readings, along with some relevant newspaper/internet articles, and you have shown some awareness of other students’ opinions. However, you have not done much critical evaluation or personal reflection on your readings or your learning in the subject.

Distinction: You have done everything that is required for a Credit, and in addition, when referring to required readings, additional readings that you have selected, and the opinions/work of other students, you have consistently demonstrated a reflective attitude towards your learning and the learning of others, and an ability to critically evaluate social, legal and political issues raised in the subject.

High Distinction: You have done everything that is required for a Distinction, and in addition, you have displayed particular skill at concisely and logically synthesizing the opinions of experts, and of other students, and your own reflections/evaluation of the subject matter display thoughtful and balanced opinions supported by reliable evidence.

Fail: You have not covered enough of the required topics, or you have covered the topics cursorily but obviously have not done adequate reading to enable you to reflect on the issues raised by the topics.