Legal Foundations 2
| Module title | Legal Foundations 2 |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW1024C |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Mrs Camilla Gee (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 170 |
|---|
Module description
This module builds on LAW1023C to continue giving you a dynamic introduction to the law and to legal practice. By working towards and taking part in a mock tribunal or court hearing, you will:
- continue the development of key academic, study and legal skills, using real world examples, practical experience, and role-play;
- explore the primary sources of English law and the role of lawyers within the legal system;
- begin your development of important legal practices such as negotiation and advocacy, within a framework of professional ethics and teamwork.
Moreover, this module supports you in recognizing the importance of self-reflection in study and professional practice.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aims of this module are:
- to introduce you to the sources of law and their use in legal argument;
- to begin the process of equipping you with the practical legal skills of negotiation and advocacy;
- to equip you with teamworking skills;
- to equip you with the skill of critical self-evaluation in relation to skills development;
to provide you with an understanding one area of substantive law.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. explain and apply foundational principles and rules governing one specified area of substantive law
- 2. explain and apply foundational principles of negotiation
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. conduct legal research to inform argument
- 4. demonstrate understanding of the sources of law
- 5. employ legal principles and rules in argument in a manner appropriate to the discipline
- 6. explain and apply foundational principles of legal advocacy
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. critically evaluate your personal contribution to teamwork and take steps to strengthen it
- 8. work effectively as part of a team
Syllabus plan
Please note that this module is exclusively available to students on the Cornwall campuses and differs materially from the Legal Foundations module available on the Streatham Campus.
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover at least some of the following topics:
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Negotiation
- Writing skeleton arguments
- Trial advocacy
- Witness cross-examination
- One area of substantive law
Legal principles, particularly equality and justice, professional ethical behaviour, and teamwork skills are embedded throughout the course.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 123 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 6 | 6 x 1-hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 10.5 | 7 x 1.5-hour teacher-led seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 2 | 2 x 1-hour skills and assessment workshops |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 3.5 | 1 x 3.5-hour mock legal hearings |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 5 | Advocacy Week |
| Guided Independent Study | 9 | 9 x 1-hour law firm peer-led meetings |
| Guided Independent Study | 46 | Individual reading and preparation for tasks |
| Guided Independent Study | 28 | Seminar preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Assessment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peer assessment of contribution to teamwork | Conducted once by law firm peers | 7,8 | Moderated written peer feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of spring term work | 75 | 1,750 words | 1-6 | Individual written feedback. Supplementary oral feedback available. |
| Teamwork self-assessment | 25 | 1,000 words | 7,8 | Individual written feedback. Supplementary oral feedback available. |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of spring term work | Resubmission of portfolio (1,750 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
| Teamwork self-assessment | Resubmission of teamwork self-assessment (1,000 words) | 7,8 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- J. Holland and J. Webb, ‘Learning Legal Rules’ (10th edn, OUP 2019).
- R. Hyams, S. Campbell & A. Evans, ‘Practical Legal Skills: Developing Your Clinical Technique’ (4th edn, OUP 2014).
- E. Finch and S. Fafinski, ‘Legal Skills’ (8th edn, OUP, 2021)
- C. Brennan, ‘Tort Law Directions’, (8th edn, OUP, 2022).
- K.Horsey and E. Rackley, ‘Tort Law’(7th edn, OUP, 2021)
- S.Blake, J. Brown and S. Sime, ‘Overview of Negotiation and Mediation’ (5th edn, OUP, 2022).
- S. Bake, ‘A Practical Approach to Effective Litigation, (8th edn, OUP, 2015).
You may also find Imogen Moore and Craig Newbery-Jones, ‘The Successful Law Student: An Insider's Guide to Studying Law’ (2nd edn, OUP 2022) very useful.
There are other more specific books, which will be referred to for different stages of the module, and multiple copies of these are available in the Penryn Campus Library.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE – vle.exeter.ac.uk/
- An online reading list suggesting further reading and resources can be accessed via the Legal Foundations ELE page, and will be updated throughout the year. You are encouraged to make use of these resources to further your knowledge and understanding.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | LAW1023C |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 10/03/2022 |
| Last revision date | 18/12/2023 |
