• Before you enrol
• Communication skills
• Behavioural and social skills
• Intellectual - conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities

Committed to equity and diversity

At UniSC, we are committed to facilitating the integration of all students into the University Community.
Reasonable adjustments in teaching and/or assessment methods can be made for students provided those adjustments do not compromise the inherent requirements of the program.

The inherent academic requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies are the fundamental skills and abilities that the student must be able to achieve in order to demonstrate the essential learning outcomes of the Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies.

This Statement provides realistic information about the inherent academic requirements that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for the Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies so you can make an informed judgement about your ability to fulfil them.

Before you enrol

If you intend to enrol in a Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies degree at UniSC, look carefully at the inherent academic requirements listed in this statement and think about whether you might experience challenges in meeting them.

If you think you might experience challenges related to your disability, health condition or for any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a University Ability Adviser or School staff.

Reasonable adjustments

Students with disabilities or other special circumstances may be provided with reasonable adjustment to enable them to meet the inherent academic requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies if the adjustment is:

• logistically reasonable
• likely to result in the student being able to perform the skills adequately and in a timely manner

Communication Skills 

The capacity to demonstrate effective communication in a variety of practice and academic contexts. These skills include:

• Verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Written communication skills
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills

Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Skills

Students must have the capacity to demonstrate:

• an ability to communicate, and to understand accurately verbal communication in English, and respond verbally, in English, to a standard that allows fluid, clear, timely, and comprehensible two-way discussions
• an ability to understand and to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation
• an ability to express ideas concisely and clearly with the capacity to develop skills in verbal reasoning
• listening comprehension skills that equip the student to deal with varied situations
• sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences in their communication and ability to interact appropriately in different situations

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies because effective communication is an essential requirement of legal practice. Effective communication displays understanding of, and respect and empathy for, others and, promotes the development of trusting purposeful relationships.

Adjustments

Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure appropriate support.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• Recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to verbal communication and non-verbal communication cues accurately and appropriately.
• Participate in classroom discussions; engage in role plays (e.g. mooting, negotiation); convey a spoken message accurately and effectively; respond appropriately to staff and students; make oral presentations and lead discussions; conveying spoken and written messages, including complex academic perspectives, accurately and effectively.
• Demonstrate appropriate awareness of own behaviours and their impact on others and show sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences.

Effective Written Communication

Students must have the capacity to demonstrate:

• an ability to construct coherent, timely and professional written communication in English compliant with academic writing conventions and appropriate to the circumstance.
• reading and comprehending a range of literature and information in English.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies because:

• Construction of written text-based assessments that adhere to required academic standards is necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter.
• Effective written communication in English is a fundamental aspect of professional legal practice.

Adjustments

Adjustments must allow students to meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective acquisition, recording, comprehension and transmission of information in academic and work placement settings.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• Construct essays, reports, advice and other written work that meet academic and professional standards.
• Paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic, professional and/or organisational practice conventions.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Skills

The student must have the capacity to acquire and demonstrate:

• Sound working skills in applying information and communication technologies (ICT) to communicate via a range of ICT applications and systems in both academic and professional settings.

Justification

These are inherent requirements of a Laws degree because competent ICT skills are essential to:

• successfully accessing, applying and communicating information to meet learning outcomes
• preparing and completing assessment tasks and submitting assessment items online

Adjustments

Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively use a range of ICT to apply and communicate accurate information. UniSC has in place a range of strategies and technology to support students with disabilities. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the University’s AccessAbility Service.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• employ a range of ICT skills to produce written and audio-visual learning and assessment activities
• use a range of software applications and devices for academic, research and placement purposes, in face-to-face and online synchronous and asynchronous communication environments

Behavioural and Social Skills 

To study the Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies students need to demonstrate a range of behavioural and social skills. Broadly stated, these skills relate to ethical behaviour and other behavioural and social skills such as adapting to sensitive and complex situations in academic and professional settings.

Ethical behaviour

Students must have the capacity to demonstrate:

• knowledge of the ethical behaviour expected of a UniSC Student and legal professional
• compliance with student codes of conduct and professional standards
• accountability for behaviours and actions

Justification

Students undertaking Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies are governed by codes of conduct and professional standards where students are accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts. A core requirement of these standards is ethical behaviour and integrity.

Adjustments

Adjustments must support ethical behaviour in academic and professional settings.

Exemplars

As a student, you must be able to:

• demonstrate an ethical approach to discussions
• reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues
• demonstrate an ability to reflect on beliefs and practices considerations and issues and take responsibility for ensuring own ethical behaviour

Other Behavioural and Social Issues

In addition to ethical behaviour, students undertaking the Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies must have the capacity to demonstrate:

• stability and adaptability to dynamic academic and professional environments that may be challenging and unpredictable
• dealing with uncertainties in a constructive and professionally appropriate manner
• contributing to the learning of others in a collaborative learning environment, showing interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students
• capacity to self-evaluate and reflect upon own practice, feelings and beliefs
• working with others and sharing responsibility for outcomes in a range of roles and contexts
• cultural, environmental and social awareness and ethical and reflective practice – e.g. in tutorials, workshops, trips, work placements and assessments

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies because students must be able to work constructively in socially and culturally diverse environments.

Adjustments

Adjustments must support stable, effective and professional behaviour in academic settings.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• engage with peers and staff appropriately and with sensitivity in discussion settings in the classroom and in team tasks and be receptive and professional in responding appropriately to constructive written and verbal feedback
• manage your own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with others both in University and placement settings

Intellectual - Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities 

Students must have the capacity to demonstrate knowledge and application of the theory and skills of cognition and comprehension.

This includes:

• literacy, knowledge, cognitive and metacognitive skills appropriate to the discipline
• independent critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, critical analysis, decision making, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
• ability to develop intellectual skills in a variety of academic and legal contexts and to apply acquired skills and knowledge in practice

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies because conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities are necessary for the students to be able to fulfil the required range of academic and practice tasks.

Adjustments

Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• read, comprehend and analyse legal concepts, doctrine and theories; conceptualise, formulate and problem solve legal problems
• conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge to fulfil academic assessment tasks
• build strong conceptual frameworks and apply knowledge of theories, models, concepts, policy, procedures and practice; in classroom discussions, groupwork, assessments and professional contexts
• be aware of your own thinking and demonstrate skills to reflect, evaluate, adapt, and implement cognitive strategies for improved learning