Bachelor of Legal and Dispute Studies

Verbal Expression and Comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication.
This will assist you when participating in tutorial discussions and practicing your professional communication during on-campus learning activities.

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a time responsive way.

In internship settings, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, clients, peers, supervisors and other professionals and will assist you when participating in meetings, discussions, counselling, dispute resolution and mediations.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities. 

Internship tasks may require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your internship coordinator prior to commencement.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking. 

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately in both on-campus and internship settings to build relationships, establish trust and assess client needs

In on-campus and internship settings, tasks which require your use of social communication abilities include:

• recognising and responding appropriately to non-verbal cues from peers and staff such as verbal turn taking in tutorials
• interpreting  non-verbal communication and body language in negotiation and mediation skill building activities
• responding to stakeholders by using your own social communication skills, such as open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to display understanding and engagement

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.

Reading

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as: on screen material, screen-based and image-based texts

In on-campus learning and internship settings, essential information is communicated in written form.  Tasks which require your use of reading include:  

• reading and understanding  a range of on-campus learning material from a variety of sources
• reading and comprehending written documents while on internship, such as induction processes, supervisors’ instructions, policies and occupational health and safety guidelines

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during an internship may vary between settings should be discussed with the internship coordinator prior to commencement.

Writing (Written Language)

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication appropriate to both on-campus learning activities and internship tasks.

In on-campus and internship settings, tasks which require clear, concise and accurate writing include:

• demonstrating  your understanding of course content and prescribed written material by completing written assessment tasks, such as essays and reports
• contributing to case notes, administrative note-taking, preparation of reports or briefs, database entry and email communications

Case notes or records that you prepare on internship can be used as evidence in legal matters.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during internships may vary between settings and should be discussed with the internship coordinator prior to commencement.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory, research, and practice gained from the on-campus learning setting during your internship 

During on-campus learning activities and in internship settings, tasks which require your use of cognitive skills include:

• correctly applying the host organisation policies and procedures
• problem solving and managing competing demands and tasks during your internship  i.e., clarifying task instructions with your supervisor so you can plan and prioritise your work

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation in the on-campus learning environment. The use of these strategies during internships should be discussed with the internship coordinator prior to commencement.