Juris Doctor

2017 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2017 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2017 course information
Award granted	Juris Doctor
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2017. If you require a course map from a previous year, please contact a Student Adviser.
Campus	This course is only offered Online
Cloud Campus	Yes
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Deakin course code	M729
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Quality Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Note: This course includes an initial compulsory three-day Induction program held in Melbourne, in February (please refer to 'Additional course information' below).

Course sub-headings

Course overview

The Deakin Juris Doctor (JD) combines its commercial focus with the development of practical skills essential to contemporary legal practice. Designed for non-law graduates, this intellectually-stimulating course is offered fully online after an initial compulsory three-day Induction program held in Melbourne, in February.

The Deakin JD goes beyond the teaching of legal knowledge and practical skills, to the development of a broader understanding of the policy informing the law, focusing on current policy issues and developing skills in the use of legal theory and legal research methods.

Your assignments might include problem-based written advice, an oral bail application, an assignment focusing on the implementation of procedural rules, preparation of a memorandum of advice, oral court submissions and a file management project. Group assignment work is also a feature of some units to ensure you develop the important skills necessary to work as part of a team.

The Deakin JD meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria. A person wishing to practice as a lawyer is also required to complete a 12-month traineeship program or six-month legal practice course and demonstrate that they are a ‘fit and proper person’.

The Deakin JD course is designed to produce first-class commercial law practitioners by providing comprehensive training in each of the major areas of legal practice and systematically embedding research, theory and policy considerations throughout the curriculum. A distinctive feature of the course is its orientation towards commercial law.

Leading, practising lawyers help shape our courses, so everything you learn is relevant to the industry and preparing you for a career in law.

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities	Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge, including: (a) The fundamental areas of legal knowledge, the Australian legal system and underlying principles and concepts, including international and comparative contexts; (b) The broader contexts within which legal issues arise; (c) The principles and values of justice and of ethical practice in lawyers’ roles; (d) extended understanding of contemporary developments in law (and law reform); (e) extended understanding of contemporary developments in professional practice.
Communication	Develop high level communication skills, including: (a) Communication of findings both orally and in writing using plain English and legal terminology through formal legal channels and contemporary Internet- based forms of communication; (b) Knowledge of different genres of legal writing; (c) Knowledge of different genres of oral communication with culturally diverse audiences; (d) Effective and persuasive communication depending on needs and backgrounds of legal and non-legal audiences (e) Ability to engage constructively with needs of audiences and choose right communication approach.
Digital Literacy	Use technologies to identify, locate, evaluate information for complex problem solving scenarios as well as communicating legal solutions, including: (a) Identifying, researching, evaluating and synthesising relevant factual, legal and policy issues, effectively using technologies where appropriate; (b) Finding, using and disseminating information using technologies; (c) Using digital sources to organize and present information in authentic and complex legal situations.
Critical thinking	Exercise critical thinking capacities to: (a) Identify and articulate complex legal issues; (b) Apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate jurisprudential and practical responses to legal issues; (c) Engage in critical analysis and make reasoned and appropriate choices amongst alternatives; an (d) Demonstrate sophisticated cognitive and creative skills in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses
Problem Solving	Develop sophisticated problem solving capacities by developing intellectual and practical skills needed to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, legal methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions through the ability to: (a) Identify the need for research; (b) Identify factual, legal and policy issues; (c) Research factual, legal and policy issues; (d) Evaluate factual, legal and policy issues (e) Synthesise factual, legal and policy issues.
Self-management	Develop high level capacities to: (a) Learn and work with a high level of autonomy, accountability and professionalism particularly in regard to undertaking independent research; (b) Reflect on and assess own capabilities and performance, and make use of feedback as appropriate, to professional development; (c) Commit to and lead lifelong learning and continuing professional development.
Teamwork	Develop high level capacities to: (a) Collaborate effectively with others from a diversity of backgrounds; (b) Lead diverse teams and resolve interpersonal and team-based (c) negotiate and work effectively through team disputes and problems with team dynamics.
Global Citizenship	Develop a sophisticated awareness of, and a high level capacity to, apply legal knowledge in different environments and global contexts, including: (a) An advanced and integrated understanding of approaches to ethical decision making; (b) An ability to recognise and reflect upon, and a developing ability to respond to, ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts; (c) An ability to recognise and reflect upon the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the community (d) A developing ability to exercise mature professional judgment in the context of cultural and community diversity.

Course rules

To complete the Juris Doctor, students must attain a total of 24 credit points, including 17 core units and 7 elective units. It is highly recommended students complete the core units, MLJ701, MLJ702, MLJ703, MLJ704, MLJ705, MLJ706, MLJ707 and MLJ708, before the remaining core and elective units. Each unit (think of units as 'subjects') is equal to 1 credit point.

Students are introduced to research tools and techniques in core units of the course where they learn analytic skills and the practical application of those skills in professional contexts. They must also complete advanced level units and a capstone unit that require them to integrate the skills learnt over their course of study and produce applied pieces of research with reference to prevailing literature.