LAW-40064 - 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

The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique challenge for law, ethics, and policy in the United Kingdom. It has impacted a vast array of issues within pubic life including human rights, criminal justice, the Constitution, as well as the clear impact upon health and healthcare ethics. In many ways, the pandemic has challenged much of the traditional thinking and discourse in each of these areas. This module introduces students to the unique challenges COVID-19 has presented to society, and allows them to benefit from the most up-to-date teaching in this rapidly unfolding area of law and ethics. The assessment method for this module is truly innovative, students will produce a piece of coursework in the style of a submission to a fictionalised COVID-19 public inquiry. Guidance on essay writing, and writing for public inquiries will be provided as part of the module. This assessment style will develop key skills in students, particularly around report writing and writing expert reports, which is an important part of medical and social work practice. The contact teaching is delivered in an intensive three-day block in order to be accessible to healthcare practitioners in full-time employment. Teaching is by interactive lectures, plenary and small group discussion.

The module aims to enhance the students¿ understanding of the impact, and unique challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has had on areas of law, policy and practice. The module will enhance the students¿ understanding and appreciation for legal and ethical problems through the lens of this unique, contemporary problem. The module offers a range of expertise and perspectives, ensuring students¿ benefit from an interdisciplinary, multi-dimensional approach to studying the impact of the pandemic.

Intended Learning Outcomes

critically evaluate the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on a variety of legal, ethical and policy issues: 1
identify relevant ethical and/or legal principles and demonstrate understanding of these by using them to evaluate and critique arguments and positions encountered in the literature: 1
critically evaluate and appraise differing opinions in the theoretical and ethical debates and issues surrounding public health law: 1
synthesise findings into a logical argument that explicitly addresses the assignment question, and defend the argument against foreseeable criticisms: 1
communicate complex issues and arguments in a clear and structured manner: 1

Study hours

Interactive lecture/seminar sessions:17
Individual discussions with tutor (face-to-face and/or via electronic communications): 1
Background reading: 100
Preparation of assignment plan: 20
Assignment research and writing: 162

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment