LAW-40053 - 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

Barred Combinations

Description for 2020/21

This module will provide students with an understanding of key theoretical approaches that frame and interrogate law and legal institutions. Research in law and society has sought to understand, explain and challenge the boundaries between law and the social and cultural context in which it operates. This module will consider key themes including the meaning and complexity of legal issues, the relation between law and social relations, the impact of legal change, and the ways in which law can be deployed for change. The module will introduce students to the considerations relevant to selecting appropriate theoretical framework for their research project and explore the potential and possibilities of different approaches to the role of law in society.

- To introduce students to socio-legal theory relating to, inter alia, the relationship between legal institutions and society and the boundaries between law and cultural life;
- To facilitate an understanding of the origins of socio-legal scholarship and the range of methodologies used in such scholarship;
- To evaluate current research within the Law and Society paradigm;
- To develop transferable skills in research, self-direction, time management, planning, and communication;
- To develop original thinking about the complex issues relating to research in Law and Society;
- To advance students' knowledge of law and society research and develop new research and analysis skills to a high level.

Intended Learning Outcomes

demonstrate a systematic understanding of the relationship between legal institutions and society: 1,2
demonstrate original thinking about the complex issues related to research in law and society and an ability to communicate these ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences: 1,2
demonstrate self-direction in planning and carrying out research, tackling research problems and implementing research tasks: 1,2
demonstrate an ability to advance their knowledge of law and society research and to develop new research and analysis skills to a high level: 1,2
demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the boundaries between law and social and cultural life: 1,2

Study hours

22 hours seminars
2 hours staff/student consultation
48 preparation
78 hours research and writing

School Rules

Applicants should have either a degree in a relevant subject, or appropriate professional qualifications and/or experience (as allowed under 2 (c) of Regulation 2a, Section 1 of the Academic Regulations).

Description of Module Assessment