Programme Specification for the 2020/1 academic year
MRes Socio-Legal Research
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MRes Socio-Legal Research | Programme code | PTR1LAWLAW01 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Part Time Full Time |
Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
This is a one year Masters’ level post-graduate research training programme which is open to law and social science graduates with an interest in socio-legal research. It provides you with the relatively rare opportunity to become a rigorously trained socio-legal researcher by developing in tandem legal and social science research skills within the framework of an integrated research training programme. In addition you will choose one 15 credit socio-legal specialisation from The Family, Law and Social Change; Theoretical Perspectives on Law; Human Rights and International Business Policy; International Humanitarian Law.
In common with other MRes programmes across the university, there are four principal elements to the programme.
First, is the generic research training which is provided through four 15 credit generic social science modules taught at university level.
Second, are two subject specific research training modules, one of 15 and one of 30 credits in socio-legal research taught within the Law School.
Third is the subject specialisation in one area reflecting research expertise within the Law School and represented by a choice of 15 credit specialist modules.
The fourth and final element comprises the 60 credit Research Dissertation.
The four generic modules are specifically designed to meet the generic post-graduate training requirements for courses recognised by the ESRC.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The MRes in Socio-Legal Research is a research training Masters’ programme which aims to provide rigorous training in socio-legal research skills such as is appropriate to enable you to carry out doctoral level research using legal and socio-legal methodology or alternatively to embark on a career as a specialist socio-legal researcher.
The taught elements of the programme aim first through the four generic modules (see above) to provide with a solid basis in social science theory and methodology. You will be introduced to different approaches and styles of research and develop the capacity to apply these conceptual approaches to different research contexts. You will also be introduced to collecting, handling and analysing quantitative and qualitative research data. Further information can be found on the website of the Law School at http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/law/postgraduate/mres-social-legal-research/
In the first subject specific module Approaches to Research in Law offered by the Law School, the aim is to expose you to critical approaches to law and legal and socio-legal research through discussion of theories and debates within law and socio-legal studies and set against the wider background provided in the generic module Philosophy of the Social Sciences. This is with a view to you developing an appropriate conceptual approach to their own research. In the second module Socio Legal Research Skills, the nature of legal and socio-legal research data is explored and different methods of socio-legal data collection are considered. Data handling and analysis skills are further developed through practical sessions and assignments. The ethical implications of empirical research in law are considered generally and in the context of your own proposed research.
Finally students contextualise their socio-legal research training in areas in which specialist modules are offered. These reflect the legal and socio-legal research expertise of staff within the law school and permit development of interdisciplinary policy approaches in The Family, Law and Social Change; Environmental Law and Policy; Human Dignity and Human Rights in the EU or Human Rights and International Business Policy. Full details of these modules appear on the Law School website at http://www.law.ex.ac.uk/postgraduate/index.shtml
The aim of the research dissertation is to ensure that students have understood and can apply the conceptual and practical skills acquired in the taught modules to their own research ideas in the socio-legal context.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
Stage 1
Compulsory Modules
The four generic modules are specifically designed to meet the generic post-graduate training requirements for courses recognised by the ESRC-
- SOCM008
- SOCM002A
- POLM809
- POLM063
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOCM002A | Philosophy of the Social Sciences 1 | 15 | Yes |
| SOCM008 | Methodology and Research Skills in Sociology | 15 | Yes |
| POLM063 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 15 | Yes |
| POLM809 | Applied Quantitative Data Analysis | 15 | Yes |
| LAWM640 | Dissertation | 60 | No |
| LAWM686 | Approaches to Research in Law (ESRC) | 15 | No |
| LAWM687 | Socio-Legal Research Skills | 30 | No |
Optional Modules
This is then contextualised in one of the following specialist modules with a view to the student undertaking their dissertation in this area:
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWM063 | Human Dignity and Human Rights in the EU | 15 | No |
| LAWM631 | Human Rights and International Business Policy | 15 | No |
| LAWM689 | The Family, Law and Social Change | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. identify, formulate and evaluate socio-legal research questions and research problems | The overall strategy of combining subject-specific and generic research training harnessed by the ultimate goal of a supervised Masters' dissertation testing both sets of skills aims to ensure that the integrated skills set out in programme outcomes A 1 - 7 are achieved. All modules (see module outlines) are taught through a combination of seminars and practical workshops, some of which in Approaches to research in Law and Socio-Legal Research Skills are student-led enabling students to acquire and test their substantive knowledge and research skills and obtain feedback. Outcome A1 is particularly developed in the seminars, workshops, student-led presentations and assessment of the modules Social Science Research Skills and Approaches to Research in Law. Seminar preparation in Approaches to Research in Law and Socio-Legal Research Skills respectively addresses outcomes A2 and 3. Seminar preparation, contribution and assessment in all modules address outcome 4. Outcomes A5 and 6 are addressed in a number of modules but particularly in the presentations and assessments in Socio-Legal Research Skills and Approaches to Research in Law respectively. Outcome A8 is addressed during the dissertation supervision process building particularly on seminar preparation and assignments in Approaches to Research in Law and Socio-Legal Research Skills. | There is a range of assessment across the six modules including essays, reports, oral presentations and these have been specifically designed to test outcomes A1 - C7. Of particular note is the assessment of a Reflective Log in Approaches to Research in Law and Socio-Legal Research Skills whereby students must reflecting and commenting following each staff-led seminar on the utility of the seminar to progression of the student's thinking and research. This constitutes 25% of the assessment in each module. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
8. identify when and how to apply critically, particular research methods and techniques. | The overall strategy of combining subject-specific and generic research training harnessed by the ultimate goal of a supervised Masters dissertation testing both sets of skills aims to ensure that the integrated skills set out are achieved. | There is a range of assessment across the six modules including essays, reports, oral presentations and these have been specifically designed to test outcomes 8-13. Team working (outcome 12) is specifically addressed in group work in Socio-Legal Research Skills. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
14. Time management skills | Outcome 14 is a personal skill fostered in all six modules by the requirements of seminar and workshop presentation and assessments and tested further in the dissertation element. Outcome 15 is specifically addressed in Social Science Research Skills and built on in preparation and assessments for other modules and the dissertation in particular. Outcome 17 is specifically addressed in the workshops and assessments for Methodology and Research Skills in Sociology, Applied Quantitative Data Analysis, Qualitative Methods in Social Researchand Socio-Legal Research Methods. Outcome 18 is addressed in the assignments for all modules plus the dissertation element of the programme and is specifically addressed in Social Science Research Skills in the social science context and Approaches to Research in Law. | There is a range of assessment across the six modules including essays, reports, oral presentations and these have been specifically designed to test outcomes 14 and 18 and in particular Outcome 16. The dissertation further tests the integration of theses outcomes. |
7. Programme Regulations
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
As a postgraduate taught student in the College of Social Sciences and International Studies you will be allocated a Personal Tutor at the commencement of your studies. In normal circumstances your Personal Tutor will remain your tutor throughout your study programme. You should make contact with your Personal Tutor three or four times a year and these meetings may typically commence soon after registration. These meetings will take place once or twice per-year to discuss your progress and to perhaps consider Personal Development Planning (ePDP) and once to discuss your overall performance. The ePDP is a particularly useful developmental tool which you are encouraged to utilise and which is accessible though the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE). Each student will in addition receive formative feedback from various discussion forums and exercises (administered by teaching staff) throughout the delivery of modules and therefore receive essentially continuous feedback during the taught component of the programme. Your dissertation supervisor will provide academic and tutorial support once students move on to the research component of the course. Student progess will be monitored and students can receive up-to-date records of the assessment, achievements and progress at any stage.
You should feel that you are able to approach your Personal Tutor for advice, pastoral support or academic support in a wider sense.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision. For those learning in distance mode, nominations to the PGT SSLC will be undertaken democratically online. Where appropriate SSLCs will make use of telephone conferencing facilities to ensure those on the distance learning programme are included.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
The University and its constituent Colleges draw on a range of data to review the quality of educational provision. The College documents the performance in each of its taught programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Programme Monitoring cycle:
- Admissions, progression and completion data
- In Year Analysis data
- Previous monitoring report
- Monitoring of core (and optional) modules
- External examiner's reports and University and College responses (reported to SSLC)
- Any Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body/accrediting body or other external reports
- Consultation with employers and former students
- Staff evaluation
- Student evaluation
- Programme aims
Subject areas are reviewed every four years through a periodic subject review scheme that includes external contributions. (http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%209/9JREVISEDPSRSCHEME.pdf)
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MRes Socio-Legal Research
19. UCAS Code
C782
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 01/10/2007 |
Date of last revision | 30/07/2014 |
|---|
