Intellectual skills will be encouraged by interactive whole group and small group sessions where key issues will be explored, to ensure students have a firm grasp of the main themes of the module. Guided reading will help to consolidate students' learning and understanding. These skills will be formally assessed in the assignment.
Communication skills will be developed both orally and in writing: students will participate in whole group and small group discussions and exercises; the assessment will test both written and oral communication skills.

An essay of 2000 words (learning outcomes 1-3; 70%)
A presentation accompanied by notes (learning outcome 4; 30%)

Additional Assessment Details:

In order to pass the module, students must achieve a minimum of Grade point 2 in each element, and an average of Grade point 4 overall.

Formative Assessment: Discussions and role play will be used in the group sessions to enhance understanding and develop skills; in addition, students will undertake tasks and exercises online. Regular feedback will be given by the module tutor.

This module is designed to provide students with the basic framework of English Law in its historical context and explain how law is developed, made and then applied today.
Topics include:
- The nature of English Law - this sets out the historical context and a broad description of the different areas of law.
- The Court Structure
- Tribunals, public inquiries, and ombudsmen - a more detailed section on the decision making bodies of administrative law.
- Sources of law this section includes legislation, delegated legislation case-law precedent and European law. There is a section on how to find sources on-line and in law libraries.
- Contract Law - this is a more detailed explanation of this area which also includes consumer law.
- Alternative dispute resolution - this section looks at other means of resolving disputes such as arbitration, mediation and conciliation.
- Access to justice - this section covers the Woolf reforms, funding for legal services and legal aid
- Presentation skills - this section will give some guidance on how to present a case in a legal setting.

Whole group sessions (11x2hrs)

These will be inter-active teaching and learning sessions (100%) which will involve some formal teaching but will rely heavily on case studies, small group discussion and experiential learning strategies in which students are expected actively to participate.

Independent Study (128 hours) include the following:
Students are expected to prepare for the whole group session by reading preparatory materials and completing exercises when required (10%)

Students are expected to spend time after each whole group session completing exercises, consolidating their learning and ensuring that they fully understand the material (10%)

Students are expected to spend time exploring additional sources of information, (particularly web based), updating their knowledge in line with developments and changes. This will include accessing materials on blackboard (50%)

Preparation for and completing the assignment (30%)

A computer with access to the internet

Access to Blackboard
Blackboard study skills Module SHWSTUDYSKILLS-A

The following core texts:

Partington M (2006) Introduction to The English Legal System, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-927829-6

Slapper G and Kelly D (2006) The English Legal system (8th Edition), Routledge Cavendish 1845 680677