1. So, you are thinking about an Hons thesis? Information Session: 8 th October 2014 Kathy Laster (Hons Convenor for 2015 TBC)

2. What we will cover today… Why do the thesis unit? What is a thesis? Choosing topics and supervisors The thesis unit Key dates FAQs and your questions…. http://www.law.monash.edu.au/current- students/enrolments/honours/

3. Why Do the Thesis Unit? You CAN qualify for an LLB Hons degree without doing the thesis unit BUT High achieving students should do this unit because: -Research skills highly prized -It is a ‘rite of passage’ -Supervision/mentoring is a unique learning opportunity -Important for scholarships, higher degree and point of difference -20% mark up on this unit (still, for current students)

4. What is a ‘thesis’? Narrow “a core idea/argument” A genre of formal writing which expounds your own thesis = Hons LLB thesis 10,000 words Past theses are in the library – have a look....

5. How do I find a topic? What area of law do I want to work /find work in? (instrumental) What area of law do I enjoy/am passionate about? (interest based) Which member of staff do I want to get to know better/learn from more? (supervisor/learning relationship based) Look at the list we provide.... READ to work out which topic option is most viable AND whether you will find this interesting for a sustained period

6. How do I find a supervisor? Who have you enjoyed/learned from most as a teacher? Look at Research Profiles of staff Talk to past Hons students... Check who is away on leave... ASK...(send them a polite email with some sense of your topic/options)

7. What does the Research Unit involve? Intended to support you in your thesis work Provides a peer group to aid and assist you Unit = 3 fullish days plus Hons Conference of 2 days -Orientation Day in 2 nd weekish of 1 st semester -2 nd Day around Easter -(Optional) Coffee morning at beginning of Semester 2 -3 rd Day mid 2 nd Semester -HONS Conference – last 2 days of 2 nd Semester

8. The HONS Conference Obligation and enlighted self interest to attend at least 1/2 day of previous year’s Conference This year Hons Conference is Thursday 16 th & Friday 17 th October (am only) at Monash City Chambers (Lonsdale street...) You are the audience and helpers Introduce 2 current Hons students to talk about this and their experience of Hons....

9. Key dates…. Applications for Hons Unit closing 28/11/14 Offers (by email) 20/12/14 Manual enrolment during enrolment period, ideally 20-23/12/14 Submission of Thesis proposal (supervisor agreement) 11/2/15 Confirmation of supervisor & topic around 1/3/2015

10. Some FAQs You need GPA of 72 in LAW units to qualify for the Thesis unit We must be able to find a superviser for your topic (permanent staff) Apply for Hons on Application form and we advise you of outcome- then enrol manually with documentation Thesis proposal (short description of topic and supervisor sign off - due beginning of March) You can be OS for part of time but only with supervisor’s consent

11. More FAQs No longer a second “winter” intake- just one a year... Results for thesis unit – tend to be Distinctions and High Distinctions Generally don’t like you to change topics midstream...but lots of refining of topics along the way

12. Your questions?