Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
The Legal Essentials module will support you in the transition to study in higher education and will provide a solid basis for studying law throughout your undergraduate career.Legal Essentials covers all aspects of what it means to be a successful Law student:¿ Thinking Law involves thinking critically about law. We show you ways of evaluating the law and the legal system, through discussion of case law and academic commentary.¿ Making Law examines the English Legal system, including the process of law-making and how Acts of Parliament are interpreted and applied by the courts.¿ Doing Law introduces you to good practice in reading, taking notes and writing ¿ to help you understand and evaluate the law. It also introduces you to legal research skills.¿ Being Law is designed to equip you with the personal and professional skills you will need to get the best out of your Law degree and your future career.
Aims
To introduce the technical, legal, personal and academic skills needed to function effectively as a Law student, through delivery of 4 streams of learning and teaching: Thinking Law; Making Law; Doing Law; and Being Law.
Talis Aspire Reading ListAny reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/law-10039/lists
Intended Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate familiarity with the structure of the English Legal System: 1,2Demonstrate familiarity with the Parliamentary process relating to the creation of legislation, and the doctrines of Parliamentary sovereignty and the separation of powers: 1,2Locate, retrieve and use case reports, statutory materials and a range of secondary legal and non-legal materials: 2Think and write critically about the law: 2Use appropriate legal writing conventions, and the ability to structure answers to problem questions and legal essays: 2Demonstrate familiarity with the concepts of statutory interpretation, legal reasoning, precedent, ratio decidendi, obiter dicta and the significance of dissenting judgements: 1,2Demonstrate the personal, practical and professional skills needed to be an effective Law student: 2
Scheduled teaching: Lectures and other recorded material = 16 hours (asynchronous)Seminars, workshops and drop-in sessions = 34 hoursSelf-directed study, library work and assessment preparation: For classes = 30 hours For MCQ assessment and test = 30 hours For Critical Writing assessment = 40 hours Total = 150 hours
Description of Module Assessment
1: Multiple Choice Questions - Knowledge weighted 40%Timed Multiple-Choice QuestionsA set of timed multiple-choice questions, to be attempted in one 1-hour sitting within a 48-hour window in Week 5, based on knowledge of the English Legal System, judicial reasoning and the Parliamentary process. The 1-hour time limit is adjusted accordingly for students entitled to additional time.
2: Essay weighted 60%Critical Analysis of a Legal CaseA 1000-word critical analysis of a legal case, demonstrating the following:
Appreciation of key issues;
Understanding of statutory interpretation;
Understanding of ratio and precedent;
Significance of dissenting judgments; and
Critical analysis of the decision in the case.