Empathy the key to student support during COVID-19

Associate Degree in Law, Class of 1995 Bachelor of Laws, Class of 1997

The School of Law and Justice (SLJ) is pleased to welcome back graduate Julie de Rooy as Resident Tutor returning to a rich student body, in an ever-changing climate.

Ms de Rooy graduated in the late 1990s completing an Associate Degree in Law and Bachelor of Laws. Having previously worked in legal offices as a secretary, Julie commenced higher education as a young mum, whilst also juggling other work and family commitments. Julie went on to legal practice in NSW and Victoria, before teaching law in the higher education sector for over 15 years.

Julie has returned to SCU with a wealth of experience in many different aspects of the legal profession.

Given her own less than conventional study path, Julie said she can empathise with SLJ students at various levels.

“When I was a student at University, most students were school leavers, with only a handful of mature age students,” she said.

“The scene has changed considerably, as many of our commencing law students come from all walks of life, bringing with them a wealth of different life experiences,” she said.

There doesn’t seem to be a ‘typical’ law student any more, and this makes for a wonderfully rich study body,” she said.

Julie explained the aim of the Resident Tutor is to assist students to make the transition to higher education.

“Support may involve helping students to understand the expectations of a unit, providing additional feedback after assessments have been returned and/or making referrals to the many other support services offered by the University,” she said.

In the last 12 months, Julie interviewed many of SLJ’s top students examining how they had achieved excellent outcomes.

“With this knowledge, and based on my own experience, the Resident Tutor Webinar Series was developed,” she said.

“I am now offering a number of optional-extra workshops each study session providing tips and hints on how students can settle in and obtain their own positive outcomes.”

The RT Webinar sessions include topics such as ‘Getting off to a Great Start with your Law Studies, ‘Preparing for mid-session Assessments,’ ‘AGLC4 Referencing Refresher’, and ‘Preparing for open book Law Exams’.

In session 1, 2020, SLJ academic Emma Babbage and Ms de Rooy co-hosted an information session, based on Ms Babbages’ PhD research into Wellbeing, with a view to provide practical emotional support during the COVID-19 changes.

While the role of RT is primarily aimed at supporting first year students, later stage law students may also benefit from contacting Julie if needed.

Story by Kim King.

For more information contact Julie at lawtutor@scu.edu.au.

New Law & Creative Writing Intensives

Exciting times for Law & Culture!

The School of Law and Justice is expanding its innovative range of interdisciplinary law electives with two exciting new law and creative writing intensives, to be delivered in December 2020 during session 3.

Program Convenor for the Law and Creative Writing

Program Jonathan Harlen, said the school is honoured to have prizewinning Australian novelist and Journalist Sarah Armstrong, (pictured left), teaching a unit on “Law and Morality”.

“Along with Ms Armstrong, who won the 1993 Walkely Award for Journalism, we have invited renowned South African novelist Eben Venter (pictured above), to deliver a unit “Writing About Family in the 21st Century.”

“Both courses, taught online over four consecutive days, can be taken as stand-alone subjects or as electives in a wide range of degree programs, including SCU’s unique combined Bachelor of Laws and Creative Writing degree,” Mr Harlen said.

“These courses strengthen the Law School’s position as a market leader in Law and Culture studies, which seek to enrich students’ understanding of the narratives of law by developing their skills in cultural criticisms and their ability as writers.”

Mr Harlen further explained that Law is, above all, about mastery of language — as much concerned with rhetoric and narrative discourse as it is with technique.

“Students who love language and who would like to explore the synergies between law, literature, and culture whilst at the same time expanding their own creative writing talents will find these electives an extremely rewarding experience.”

A range of other Law and Creative Writing intensives are planned for summer and winter 2021, showcasing some of Australia’s best-known writers: Matt Condon on writing True Crime, Phil McLaren on writing Crime Fiction, Gillian Rubenstein on Writing Japan – with more in the pipeline, yet to be confirmed.

At this stage, all courses are expected to be delivered online, and are being developed using SCU’s state-of-the-art online course design technology.

Aspiring writers take note! These are indeed exciting times for Law and Culture at Southern Cross University!

Story by Kim King.

For further information visit scu.edu.au/law

Summer and Winter Law Intensive Program 2019/2020