Implementing Systematic Curriculum Renewal

1. Implementing Systematic Curriculum Renewal Professor Jeff Giddings Griffith Law School Brisbane Australia

2. Introduction Systematic Curriculum Renewal • The process is important • Implementation is the hardest part • What to expect • Reflections • Expanded version on Conference USB stick

3. Introduction Systematic Curriculum Renewal Understanding & managing expectations • Our students • Our universities – work-integrated learning, internationalisation • The profession – contrary relationship • The admission authorities – content focus

4. Griffith Curriculum Review – Process • Conducted over 18 months • Substantial committee – choose carefully • Consultative approach • Focus on limiting workloads where possible

5. Griffith Curriculum Review – Process • Consultations with students • Consultations with members of the profession

6. Griffith Curriculum Review – Outcomes • Graduate attributes – Richard Johnstone’s presentation • 15 different attributes • Broad approach • How to best foster them? Think big and be patient

7. Griffith Curriculum Review – Outcomes • More effective order & structure of core courses • New compulsory courses • Legal Research • Legal Writing • Transnational Law

8. Griffith Curriculum Review – Outcomes • Incremental development of student knowledge in key areas – Vertical Subjects • Legal theory & interdisciplinarity • Group work • Ethics • Generic & legal skills • Internationalisation • Indigenous awareness

9. Griffith Curriculum Review – Outcomes • Vertical Subjects • Linked coverage – building from year to year • Assessment items in core courses

10. Example - Negotiation

11. Implementing the Review 4 year process plus evaluation • Law School endorsement • University endorsement • Professional accreditation • You need to keep your Committee going

12. Implementing the Review 4 year process plus evaluation • Transition arrangements • Multi-cohort courses • Get with the program! • Every team needs a pedant & an obsessive • University support & resources

13. Implementing the Review 4 year process plus evaluation • Evaluation strategy • Vertical subject assessment • The hardest part of the process

14. Implementing the Review Evaluation • Involvement of non-GLS evaluation expert • Did we do what we said we would? • What difference have the changes made? • Not easy in the midst of everything else

15. Reflecting on Curriculum Renewal • Not as easy as it might seem • Expect the unexpected • Need leadership continuity • Dean • Committee

16. Reflecting on Curriculum Renewal • You need a strong team – continuity is a key • Share the credit around – acknowledge supportive colleagues wherever possible • Build on & nurture what’s already working well

17. Reflecting on Curriculum Renewal • Respond to all feedback • Work to persuade the sceptics • Focus on the home front

18. Reflecting on Curriculum Renewal • Value of administrative staff continuity • ‘Hitting the Wall’ • Value in staying ahead of the field • Accept it wont all be perfect on Day One

19. Reflecting on Curriculum Renewal • University valuing innovation but also moving on to other priorities • Change is uncomfortable • Forced change likely to be much worse

20. Reflecting on Curriculum Renewal • Relationship of core & elective programs • Sequencing is very important • Assessment issues • Overassessment concerns – both students & staff • Student numbers

21. Reflecting on Curriculum Renewal • Skills teaching - a key issue to address • Likely area of staff resistance • Need academic staff with expertise – often law schools don’t value such staff • Time-consuming but vital to our students & the profession

22. Reflecting on Curriculum Renewal • Skills teaching - a key issue to address • Compromised by increased student numbers • Have we been too ambitious? • A loose fit rather than a straightjacket

23. Systematic Curriculum Review An ongoing process • Life sentence or life cycle? • We are happy to talk further • Professor Jeff Giddings • J.Giddings@griffith.edu.au