76107 Applied Project in Law, Innovation and Technology (Capstone 2)
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Subject handbook information prior to 2021 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 76106 Technology Law, Policy and Ethics (Capstone 1)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject comprises the research, writing and communication of a solution to an approved topic in technology law. At the start of the subject, 'clients' pitch problems to students that need an innovative legal solution. Students undertake group work to provide a solution that requires high-order legal research, collaborative research, innovative and creative thinking and the capacity to manage a project and communicate a sustained and persuasive solution to the 'client'.
Students have the opportunity to critically analyse and evaluate the topic that they choose provided that their project proposes a solution to the client's issue. Students refine the project and apply an appropriate methodology to solve the project identified. Students develop their oral and written communication skills throughout the session through online discussions and workshops on central aspects to technology law problem solving. This includes discussion of methodology, project management, collaborative skills and the challenges and possibilities of technology.
Students are supported in the process through face-to-face workshops, online modules and feedback from their peers and academic supervisor. Students also develop skills in self-management by undertaking self-directed work and learning and by responding to and applying feedback.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Develop the capacity to solve a real world law problem pitched by clients in creative and innovative ways. |
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| 2. | Develop skills in self-management and working collaboratively to locate and synthesise legal and interdisciplinary research in order to creatively and analytically evaluate and resolve a law problem. |
| 3. | Construct clear, original and persuasive written and oral arguments that are supported by research and consistent with professional needs and standards. |
| 4. | Develop the capacity to apply legal knowledge and skills to manage a project and work in an interdiscplinary team. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following graduate attributes which reflect the course intended learning outcomes:
- Critical Analysis and Evaluation
A capacity to think critically, strategically and creatively, including the ability to:
a. Identify and articulate legal issues in context, including the skill of critical reading and writing;
b. Apply reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses;
c. Engage in critical analysis and make a reasoned choice amongst alternatives; and
d. Think creatively in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses. (LAW.3.1) - Research skills
Well-developed cognitive and practical skills necessary to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues. (LAW.4.1) - Communication
Effective and appropriate communication skills including:
a. Highly effective use of the English language to convey legal ideas and views to different and diverse audiences and environments;
b. An ability to communicate to inform, analyse, report and persuade;
c. An ability to strategically select an appropriate medium and message;
d. An ability to assess how messages are received and alter communication strategies accordingly; and
e. An ability to be responsive and adaptive to the perspectives of collaborators, clients, counter parties and others. (LAW.5.1) - Self management
The ability to implement appropriate self-management and lifelong learning strategies including:
a. An ability to undertake and initiate self-directed work and learning;
b. Well-developed judgment and responsibility as a legal professional in a broader social context;
c. The ability to support personal and professional development by:
(i). Reflecting on and assessing their own capabilities, wellbeing and performance;
(iI). Making use of feedback as appropriate;
(iII). Identifying and accessing appropriate resources and assistance; and
(iv). Making use of resources and support in developing resilience; and
d. A capacity to adapt to and embrace change and a commitment to ongoing learning. (LAW.8.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Strategy 1 Independent and collaborative learning
Students will work together in allocated groups to solve the client problem. This will involve agreeing to the scope of the project, delegating research and writing tasks, and regularly evaluating the progress of the project. Students will regularly communicate with each other via the UTS Discussion Board or in person the status and outcomes of each task. This project will require students to develop their capacity to work collaboratively, a skill that is required of legal professionals.
The skills involved in self-management are essential to collaborative work in legal practice and it is important that students develop these skills. Strategies for self-management and self-directed work include exercising judgment about the content of the project and being responsible for the progress of the solution; managing time effectively and meeting deadlines agreed to by the group; the ability to assess skills and knowledge, including identifying areas for improvement; soliciting and applying feedback from peers and the supervisor; and the ability to monitor and implement strategies to maintain personal wellbeing. Students are responsible for seeking assistance from the supervisor if they encounter difficulty managing their time or the workload involved in solving the technology law problem.
Strategy 2 Authentic problems
This subject revolves around students constructing innovative and informed solutions to real-world problems. These problems will be pitched by representatives from organisations at the beginning of the session. Engaging with real-world problems provide students with an opportunity to experience challenges raised and possible solutions for legal professionals by technology. These projects will require students to think and research in ways that are consistent with those needed by real-world clients. That is, these problems may cross disciplinary and/or jurisdictional boundaries and will require the presentation of solutions in ways that are accessible and palatable for clients.
Strategy 3 Feedback
Students are expected to communicate the progress of their project and solicit feedback from the members of their group and the supervisor throughout the teaching session. Students collaborate with the members of their group to discuss relevant material, including currency and reliance on primary legal and secondary materials; refine their approach to the project, research questions and methodology; develop a logical structure and persuasive and justifiable arguments; apply innovative and critical thinking to research material and legal issues; and how to comply with academic writing and style requirements. Students will receive feedback at their final oral presentation by their peers and the supervisor. They will be able to take this feedback into account prior to submission of the final project. By applying the feedback received from their peers and the supervisor students will develop and improve their research, analytical and academic communication skills.
Strategy 4 Communicating the ‘solution’
The primary assessment for this subject is the oral and written communication of a project solution. The aims of the project is to require students to think and research in ways that are innovative and creative and to communicate the ‘solution’ in a way that is consistent with professional standards. This will require an accessible presentation to clients that summarises the solution, backed up by a research document that presents the solution in a more technical way. Students will attend a seminar in the session that details client and professional requirements in communicating solutions. This will further be supported by information provided on UTS Online. Students will be evaluated on their capacity to communicate their solution orally and in writing to the client and in-house. The best of the project solutions will be presented to the clients at the end of the session.
Subject Delivery
All Weeks will be entirely online EXCEPT Weeks 11 and 12, which will be on campus. The two on campus classes, which will involve group presentations, will be for 120 minutes each. In the event of any disruption to on-campus classes, the presentations will be moved to ZOOM. The online classes will be delivered by a combination of recorded lectures, interactive seminars conducted via Zoom, guest seminars and collaborative exercises conducted via Microsoft Teams.
Content (topics)
- Preparation: The possibilities and challenges of legal technologies
- Project pitch: Pitch by ‘clients’ of identified projects
- Three project workshops: managing collaboration and project; research workshop; presenting to clients
- Presentation of project solutions
- Final: Best project solutions present to ‘clients’.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Presentation of Project Solution
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2 and 3 This task contributes specifically to the development of the following graduate attributes: LAW.3.1, LAW.4.1, LAW.5.1 and LAW.8.1 |
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| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Students will be divided into two project teams. Each team will have approximately 45-50 minutes to present their project solution. The presentation should be accompanied by appropriate additional material, such as visual aids. |
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Assessment task 2: Final Project
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2 and 3 This task contributes specifically to the development of the following graduate attributes: LAW.3.1, LAW.4.1, LAW.5.1 and LAW.8.1 |
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| Weight: | 80% |
| Length: | Project reports: 15,000 - 20,000 words (each member of the project team must contribute 5,000 words) |
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Required texts
There are no required texts for this subject. Students should refer to the Subject and Reading Guide. Relevant material will be made available via UTS Online.
Recommended texts
Students should refer to the Subject and Reading Guide. Relevant material will be made available via UTS Online.
References
Students should refer to the Subject and Reading Guide. Relevant material will be made available via UTS Online.