Melbourne Model Makes for More Magnificent Maxims
Posted on 21. Nov, 2008 by admin in Law School
While at uni the other day I was flipping through the University of Western Australia’s student magazine, Pelican, and came across an interesting article which mentioned the ‘Melbourne Model’ of Australian tertiary education. Before you stop reading (model of tertiary education, SNOOZE FEST AMIRITE?) let me say that this is actually entirely relevant to all of you.
The article (written by Nik Barron and Keelia Fitzpatrick) lists some of the 31 recommendations UWA has made after reviewing all of its course structures. It seems that in adopting some of these recommendations UWA will move towards the method of course structuring pioneered by Melbourne University (pioneered within Australia, that is).
Melbourne Marketing Model?
The article notes,
‘the so-called “Melbourne Model” has been a subject of some controversy, perceived by many staff and students as a cynical marketing ploy rather than a real effort at educational reform’.
Having worked at a university myself, I have no doubt that this has some ring of truth to it. Gotta jazz that stuff up to bring the cash cows in. But if you ask me, the Melbourne Model rocks.
What is the Melbourne Model?
Pelican is probably right to a certain extent, when it comes to universities it’s pretty much all about two things. Making money and keeping up the appearance that you’re making money. So the Melbourne Model most likely is, to some extent, window dressing and unnecessary tinkering.
But anyways, while the Melbourne Model is very complex, the one big practical change that I think it’s all about is this. Students do their bachelor degree in a generic discipline and then go on to post graduate study to further specialise. So that means you would do your first degree in something general, like commerce or philosophy and then when that is done you go on to do your law degree.
Why Does it Rock?
At first glance, it doesn’t. You end up spending more time at uni, paying more money and potentially studying something you wouldn’t otherwise have to. But stick with me.
Take Time and Enjoy Yourself
First, it means you can ease into your studies. Which for most uni students means drinking more. It doesn’t have to mean liver damage, though, it just means you get a chance to actually enjoy yourself and socialise. I might be completely wrong given that I’ve not graduated yet, but I’m of the opinion that learning some social skills and working out how to build and maintain relationships is going to be important to your career. So, by that logic, getting drunk will be tax deductible (not tax advice, but I’m 110% sure this is watertight).
Broaden Your Horizons
Second, if you’re coming straight from high school you just don’t know what you want to do with your life. If you think you do know, you’re wrong. I know, I know, there’s always one person in your year 12 class that was just *sure* they were going to be a doctor/nurse/physio/mechanic/lawyer – but trust me, they did it for a few years and then realised their true passion was travelling and collecting showerheads. It is completely normal to come out of high school and still not be sure what you want to do with your life.
By being forced into a generic discipline you can take your time and realise what it is you are passionate about. You start to mature and you can think about what you want to do. You might start off determined to be an engineer, then find that you actually hate bridges but you love the smell of pituitary glands. Thanks to the Melbourne Model you can now explore your freaky fetish.
(To be fair, a lot of people *do* know what they want to do from a young age and are able to achieve it. Power to them. However it still doesn’t hurt to give those people a chance to broaden their horizons).
Make the Most of Law School
Third, students aren’t all coming from high school so you can be confident that the people in your class want to be there. They’ve had to do a degree already, so they’re not there just for the university experience. They’ve matured some and already played the ‘hilarious’ come-to-class-drunk game. When you turn up on day one, you can be confident that the people you’re studying with are bright cookies, who want to be there and want to work hard. So while the competition might be a bit tougher, I think that it’s better in the long run.
Get to Work Ready to Work
Lastly, it means law school graduates will be in their early-mid 20s (23? 24?) when they finish. Partners and law firms win because they don’t have to explain to their graduates what ‘work place appropriate’ behaviour is all about. Graduates win, because firms take them a bit more seriously and can feel more comfortable giving them actual work to do (in theory).
Vote #1 Melbourne Model
Ultimately, in my opinion the Melbourne Model makes for better law students. I’m probably biased, given that I ended up following the Melbourne Model approach without realising it (I did a Bachelor of Commerce before coming to law school) but I feel as though overall it has been worth it. Perhaps I will change my tune when I start paying off this HECS debt, but for now I’m a big fan of the system.
Also check out:
