ASSIGNMENT TWO
CASE STUDY (30%)
The case study which students are required to resolve using the four step process is set out below on page 6. Students are required to apply the relevant legal concepts and principles to analyse and solve the legal issues arising in the case study by explaining and applying their knowledge of the legal principles and rules arising in the Australian legal system.
You will have to listen to the four step process vodcast in the assessment folder on blackboard prior to attempting this assignment. Please note also that the information contained in the course materials (the text book, E- tutorials and seminar materials) are sufficient when completing your assignment. It is not necessary to research beyond these materials for the purpose of completing this assignment.
NOTE:
• The fact scenario used in this assignment is fictitious.
• Students are to focus on answering the assignment question with reference to the materials covered in topic 3. Students do not need to (and should not) undertake any additional research. The level of detail and information contained in the course materials is sufficient to answer the assignment.
• Note the four step process requires students to refer to legislation or case law as authority for the rules of law explained in step two.Where appropriate you will need to refer to any applicable legislation or case authorities contained in the material for topic 3. You may also want to review the materials on referencing that were provided for the first assignment.
1 of 6
Marking rubric
The case study is made up of two (2) four step process questions. Each is worth fifteen (15) marks. The four step process marking rubric for each question is as follows:
STEP ONE
Identify the legal issue
No marks specifically (as this is usually stated in the question)
STEP TWO
Explain the rule(s) of law with reference to relevant authority.
8 marks available
STEP THREE
The rules of law explained must be specifically applied to the facts so a solution can be found.
6 marks available
STEP FOUR
A logical conclusion should flow fromthe above steps
No marks specifically available
Overall use of the four step process, structure of the answer and referencing.
1 mark available
In relation to the marks allocated for the overall use of the four step process, structure of the answer and referencing, regard will be had to not just whether the answer is “set out” in the four steps.
Consideration will be given to the clarity of the explanation of the law with regard to applicable authority where relevant. Students will be rewarded here for a detailed application of the facts to the law explained. For example, a very good use of the four step process would be the application of the facts specifically to every principle of law explained.
Consideration will also be given to the logical presentation, coherency and consistency of the explanation of the law, application of facts and subsequent conclusion. Consequently this will include a consideration of matters such as presentation, formatting, expression, sentence structure, grammar and the like.
As a general guide, a student who has used the four step process correctly for each question(has identified the relevant principle(s) of law, explained the rule(s), applied the facts and come to a logical conclusion), but where the explanation of the law or application of the facts is not as detailed as it could be, or the conclusion is not a logical progression of what has gone before, the student would be awarded a pass mark for this part of the assignment, i.e. 0.5 marks.
2 of 6
Referencing and appropriate acknowledgement of sources
Most often errors in referencing are incidental or clearly inadvertent. In the event of a level one incident of plagiarismoccurring, a student may be contacted by the University and required to undertake further training or remedial work in relation to referencing. Where the lack of correct referencing appears to contravene the University policy on plagiarism, the student’s paper will be referred to the Unit Coordinator and dealt with according to University policy. This may amount to academic misconduct.
An important aspect of the University Plagiarism Policy is recognition that not all plagiarism incidents are intentional or involves cheating. If students are not learning as expected, they will be made aware of their difficulties and helped to improve. Those who deliberately choose to cheat by way of plagiarism, however, will be identified and dealt with accordingly.
Students are strongly advised to understand their responsibilities in relation to correct referencing and should consult the unit outline and PowerPoint slides on referencing located on the Business Law 100 Blackboard site for more information.
Format of assignments
Assignments cannot be handwritten and must comply with the following format requirements. Those assignments, which do not conform to these requirements without prior agreement of the unit coordinator, will either be returned to the student unmarked or will have marks deducted:
• Document type: Word or pdf (pdf preferred)
• Font: Arial or similar font – no smaller than 12 point in size
• Pages: Numbered in top or bottom margin
• Spacing: Appropriate line spacing and paragraph spacing
• Margins: At least 2.5 cm top, left, right & bottom
Presentation
• Cover sheet (located on Blackboard under the ‘Assessment’ tab) must be attached to the assignment
• Appropriate sentence structure
• Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Paragraph size and breaks appropriate
• Consistent format
• Appropriate use of headings and sub-headings
• Within acceptable word limit
• Appropriate referencing and acknowledgment of sources
3 of 6
Word Limit
The total assignment (meaning question one and two) should be a minimum of 500 words and not exceed 2,500 words.
Please provide a word count on your cover sheet. A penalty of 10% will be imposed on assignments that exceed the word limit. Markers have discretion as to whether to apply the penalty for an additional 100 words, provided the discussion remains relevant. The assignment will not be assessed if it exceeds 3,500 words and will result in a ZERO mark.
The word count does not include the following:
• cover sheet;
• in-text referencing;
• referencing list; and
• headings.