School of Law  
 
 
LAW-10022 Legal Systems  
Co-ordinator: Prof Anthony Bradney    Room: CBC2.022, Tel:33018  
Teaching Team: Ms Margaret  Moyden, Dr Yossi  Nehushtan,  Mandy  Burton  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 1 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733218
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description

This module places the various actors and institutions in the legal system (for example, courts, clients, lawyers and the law school) in context. This will permit the student to develop a critical understanding of the way in which the law interacts with and underpins social and political structures - and when sometimes the law must be questioned.

Legal Systems also builds on the foundation provided by Legal Skills and Constitutional Law to provide students with early exposure to the development of research and employment skills, particularly in legal writing.

Aims

This module aims to build on students&© introduction to the English Legal System in Public Law 1 (Constitutional Law) in semester 1 and to equip students with an in-depth understanding of the institutions, actors and processes of the English Legal System and to promote critical awareness of the social and political context in which law and its legal systems operate.


Intended Learning Outcomes

Recognise the key legal institutions, actors
and processes of lawmaking
will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2 and 3
Explain and illustrate the way in which law and legal systems are shaped by their broader social and political context
will be achieved by assessments: 3
Analyse $ùtaken for granted&© assumptions
about law and legal systems drawing on
evidence from academic literature and
policy documents
will be achieved by assessments: 3
Construct clear coherent arguments
supported by evidence of wider reading,
demonstrating development of legal
research and writing skills
will be achieved by assessments: 3







Study hours

18 X I hour lectures
4 x 2 hour seminars
48 hours preparation time for seminar topics (including formative on-line quizzes)
12 hours on-line assessment (summative) preparation
Essay writing and preparation = 64 hours

Total =150 hours



Description of Module Assessment

01: Webct weighted 20%
On-line assessment test
WebCT quizzes to enable students to test factual knowledge and understanding, with generated feedback. Also provides practice for summative on-line assessment

02: Essay weighted 80%
Research essay
Will test knowledge and understanding of the module as a whole. Released for time-limited period during Level 1 assessment weeks.


Version: (1.05A) Created: 01/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.