LAW-20070 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None.

Barred Combinations

None.

Description for 2020/21

We look at the legal aspects of the employment relationship. If you have, say, a temporary job do you have a contract of employment? If you do
have a contract of employment what rights does it give you? Can you sue for wrongful dismissal? Can you bring a claim for unfair dismissal?
What, in law, is unfair dismissal? To what are you entitled if you have been dismissed unfairly? Beyond these issues, what is the role of the
Equality Act, 2010 in the employment relationship? Against what forms of discrimination are employees protected? Unfair dismissal and
discrimination issues take up the greater part of the module but we will also briefly consider the current impact of employment law on the role of
trade unions. Throughout we reflect on the role of employment law in current political debates.

To provide an overview of the law, introducing the key statutes and concepts that apply to contracts of employment.
To explain and appraise developments in the law by reference to political and economic considerations.
To develop an awareness of the interplay between common law, statute and policy in (and the impact of EU law on) employment law.

Intended Learning Outcomes

communicate an overview of key concepts relating to the rights and duties of employers, employees and trades unions: 2
review domestic employment law in the wider context of EU work policies: 1
analyse the law and policy surrounding contractual employment relationships: 2
provide illustrations of legislators' attempts to express social policy through statute: 1

Study hours

Lectures - 11 x 2 hour lectures (including revision session)
Seminars - 6 x 1 hours
Seminar preparation 40 hours
Essay - 40 hours
Research Poster - 20 hours
Private study - 22 hours
Total = 150

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment