Employment Law
| Module title | Employment Law |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW3026 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Mrs Kim McDonald (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 120 |
|---|
Module description
When working relationships break down it can have serious financial and societal implications. Due to this the law has evolved to develop the discipline of employment law which has a vital role to play in the UK.
This module will introduce you to the legal regulation of working relationships. We will focus particularly upon the creation, regulation and termination of the employment relationship, the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees, anti-discrimination, and the role of modern trade unions.
We will consider these issues in their wider political, historical, and socio-economic context. You will also get the opportunity to present your own arguments for law reform in an assessed presentation. You will develop a critical perspective of the law and you will be trained to apply the law to factual situations.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of the module is to introduce you to the key elements of employment law within the UK legal system.
Through our discussions, you will consider the role of work within society, the appropriate relationship between statute and common law (and thereby Parliament and the courts) and the effectiveness of the rights that are granted to individuals at work.
You will also build upon your presentation skills by giving a presentation on a central issue within employment law and how the law should be analysed and reformed.
Our learning will incorporate a range of primary and secondary materials, and you will be given the opportunity to conduct independent research in order to prepare for your presentation. In addition to materials such as textbooks, journals and law reports, there are a great deal of interesting and contemporaneous online resources, such as those provided by government and law practice-generated material.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. identify, explain and critically analyse issues arising in the context of working relationships and apply relevant legal rules to those issues
- 2. handle a variety of materials particular to this area of law from a variety of sources such as case-law, domestic and international legal frameworks and statutory Codes of Practice
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of a range of legal concepts, values, principles, institutions and procedures, and the ability to explain the relationships among them, as well as their limits
- 4. select and explain relevant information from primary and secondary legal resources, independently and efficiently using appropriate techniques
- 5. demonstrate ability to select, integrate and present coherently and reflectively relevant law and legal or theoretical arguments
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. identify, retrieve and use a range of resources with minimal guidance
- 7. demonstrate ability to keep up-to-date regarding developments in a fast-moving area of law and politics
- 8. demonstrate ability to work independently and to manage time efficiently in preparing for scheduled learning activities and assessments
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
- An introduction to employment law including its judicial and administrative structure, sources and materials
- The contract of employment and the personal scope of employment law
- Issues surrounding termination of contract and breach of contract
- Unfair dismissal law and its remedies
- Discrimination law
- Other employment rights
- The role of trade unions in modern industrial relations
- The relationship between unions and members
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 245 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 33 | 22 x 1.5 hour lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 20 | 10 x 2 hour workshops |
| Guided independent study | 2 | 2 x 1 hour drop-in sessions |
| Guided independent study | 80 | Individual reading and lecture preparation |
| Guided independent study | 30 | Workshop preparation |
| Guided independent study | 80 | Assessment preparation for examination |
| Guided independent study | 40 | Assessment preparation for presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | 15 | Formative assessment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay or problem question | 1,000 words | 1-8 | Individual written comments from lecturer and general feedback to cohort |
| Written outline of an evaluative opinion | 500 words | 1-8 | Individual oral feedback from lecturer and general feedback to cohort |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 67 | 33 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination (take-home, open book) | 67 | 2 hours intended duration (within a 24-hour submission window) | 1-8 | Result and written feedback, with discussion upon individual request |
| Individual presentation | 33 | 10 minutes | 1-8 | Individual feedback and general feedback to cohort |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination Examination (take-home, open book) | Examination (2 hours take-home, open book; same as above) | 1-8 | August/September re-assessment period |
| Individual presentation | Individual presentation (10 minutes) | 1-8 | August/September re-assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
H Collins, K Ewing, A McColgan, Labour Law (CUP 2019)
ACL Davies, Employment Law (Pearson 2015)
S Deakin and G Morris, Labour Law (Hart Publishing 2011)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | Law of Contract |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2001 |
| Last revision date | 31/01/2022 |
