General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | LLAW7003 |
| Course name: | Graduate Research Seminar |
| Programme offered under: | Research Programme |
| Semester: | Second |
1.2 Course description
The Graduate Research Seminar is comprised of two inter-related parts: a workshop for the presentation of (RPG) student research; and a practicum focusing on issues of professional development. The purpose of the Seminar is to enhance the quality of graduate research, and to better prepare students for publishing and entering the job market.
The workshop will provide a constructive and inclusive forum for the presentation and discussion of papers, or parts of the doctoral thesis. To present in the workshop, students will be able to apply only under two conditions: (i) the student must have achieved post-confirmation status and must remain in good standing; and (ii) the student’s advisor must support the workshop presentation. We retain discretion to approve or ask for revision of the application.
The practicum will be devoted to sessions on professional development, including: developing a research agenda; choosing and submitting to academic journals; writing an effective cv; applying for jobs; giving a job talk; and so on. Other faculty might join us in these sessions.
All RPG students are welcome and encouraged to attend the sessions. Those who enrol in the Seminar for credit will be expected to attend and participate fully in each session during the term, and to ask at least one question of the presenter at workshops. The class will be graded Pass/Fail. We expect students to have completed Prof. HE Xin’s graduate course on writing a thesis (required), and Pro. Stone Sweet’s course on Design and Mthods – Qualitative Legal Research (recommended). I understand that Prof. Benjamin Chen is also designing a course on qualitative method for lawyers which, if approved, would also be recommended.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor | Alec Stone Sweet | asweet@hku.hk | CCT 903 | By email |
Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course
CLO 1 The workshop component will give students invalauble experience presenting their own thesis resarch, and discussing and critiquing the current research of their peers.
CLO 2The professional development (practicum) component will involve students in topics including research, teaching, publishing, and entering the job market.
Assessment(s)
3.1 Assessment Summaryc
| Assessment task | Due date | Weighting | Feedback method | Course learning outcomes |
| Class participation | TBC | 60% | 1, 2 | |
| Response papers to workshop presentations and professional development seminars (practicum). Submission of professional materials after discussion and revision (e,g,, the cv, prospectus, statement of research agenda, etc.) | TBC | 40% | 1, 2 |
3.2 Assessment Detail
To be advised by course convenor.
3.3 Grading Criteria
Students will be assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Learning Resources
4.1 Resources
| Reading materials: | Reading materials are posted on Moodle |
| Core reading list: | TBA |
| Recommended reading list: | TBA |