Description
Introduction to Law
Module title | Introduction to Law |
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Module code | INT0042 |
Academic year | 2020/1 |
Credits | 20 |
Module staff |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 10 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 6 |
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Description - summary of the module content
Module description
This second semester module provides an introduction to key legal skills and concepts. It refers to current legal issues in Human Rights Law and /or Criminal Law and /or Tort as representative of the different legal traditions (common and civil law) within English Law. Especially relevant for those wishing to study law at the University, the module also has great benefits for those interested in other subjects as it requires rigorous analysis of complex concepts in order to present fluent, persuasive arguments.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide a foundation in English Law for students wishing to follow a degree programme in Law, Humanities or Social Sciences.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Show knowledge of appropriate legal skills appropriate to this level
- 2. Demonstrate an understanding of aspects of English Criminal Law and/or the English Law of Tort and/or the European Convention of Human Rights and its implementation within English Law
- 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the limitations on the implementation of law in practice
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. To a standard appropriate to this level analyse and evaluate material set for the module
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. With tutor support, take responsibility for your own learning and work independently
- 6. Communicate effectively in a format and using scholarly/legal conventions appropriate to this discipline
Syllabus plan
Syllabus plan
This module will introduce key skills and concepts around two or more legal areas, including Human Rights Law and/or Criminal and /or Tort Law.
Topics may include:
For Human Rights: The role of law in the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to areas such as abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, parental chastisement, protection from domestic violence, privacy, religious freedom and freedom of expression and issues around their implementation in English Law.
For Criminal Law: Basic elements of Criminal Law, particularly offences against the person and key elements such as actus reus, mens rea, and relevant Criminal Law defences.
For Tort Law: Basic elements of Tort Law such as liability of public bodies, good Samaritan laws, privacy and defamation.
Learning and teaching
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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40 | 160 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 40 | Lectures (live or pre-recorded), seminars, tutorials. Face to face or online sessions, these will be a mixture of class discussion and mini-lectures led by the tutor and e-learning tasks. |
Guided independent study | 160 | Reading and preparation for class discussion and debates, research for assignment, exam revision, web materials |
Assessment
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Presentation | Individual or group | 1-6 | Written report and oral feedback |
Essay | Introduction and plan | 1-6 | Written report and oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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40 | 20 | 40 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Oral Presentation | 20 | Individual | 1, 2, 4-6 | Written report |
Essay | 40 | 1,800 words | 1-6 | Written report |
Open Book Examination (online, 24 hours) | 40 | 24 hours | 1-6 | Written report |
Re-assessment
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Individual Oral Presentation | Individual Oral Presentation | 1-6 | As soon as possible after original assessment period. |
Essay | Resubmission | 1-6 | As soon as possible after original assessment period |
Examination | Examination Resit (new paper, online) | 1-6 | As soon as possible after original assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for reasons judged legitimate by the Mitigation Committee, the applicable assessment will normally be deferred. See ‘Details of reassessment’ for the form that assessment usually takes. When deferral occurs there is ordinarily no change to the overall weighting of that assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to take a re-sit exam. Only your performance in this exam will count towards your final module grade. A grade of 40% will be awarded if the examination is passed.
Resources
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
James Holland and Julian Webb, Learning Legal rules: A Student’s Guide to Legal Method and Reasoning – 9th Edition – OUP
Nicola Monaghan, ‘Criminal Law’ 4th Edition OUP
Web based and electronic resources:
Additional reading and sources will be provided by the module convener.
Module has an active ELE page
Credit value | 20 |
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Module ECTS | 10 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 3 |
Available as distance learning? | Yes |
Origin date | 01/05/2018 |
Last revision date | 30/07/2020 |