1. Identify, explain and evaluate key concepts and principles of Constitutional Law.

Knowledge and understanding, communication

2. Use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake analysis of information.

Analysis

3. Communicate effectively through the construction of coherent and structured arguments.


Knowledge and understanding, communication

The assessment will cover all the Learning Outcomes. It is an essay on the separation of powers, an important doctrine in Constitutional Law. The essay will involve evaluation of certain aspects of this doctrine, with analysis of relevant legislative and case law provisions. Use of academic opinion will be an important feature of the coherent and structured arguments set out in the essay.

Introduction to Constitutional Law, Nature of UK constitution, Separation of Powers, Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, Sovereignty of Parliament, Rule of Law, Royal Prerogative, Devolution, Human Rights

Are you curious about how the UK is governed and the key legal principles which form the heart of our democratic system? You will be introduced to the important Public Law principle called the separation of powers. You will explore the key developments of recent decades which have shaped the 21st century UK constitution. This means that you will examine practical scenarios regarding the role of the Supreme Court, the future of the devolution settlement in three nations of the UK, and the growing significance of human rights.

Online Learning will be active, presented as a series of short information sessions and activities. Each topic will be based around a problem or issue, and students will work towards a range of solutions by specifying objectives, identifying constraints, obtaining background information, applying related theory and knowledge based around the subject matter.

Collaborative learning will be encouraged through the use of online discussion groups and activities.

Students will be expected to be familiar with contemporary discussions in this area of law, and to bring a range of ideas to bear on the discussions. Thus, although there will be a framework of knowledge and understanding, students will be actively, rather than passively, engaged in the process of both learning about, and increasing understanding of, the subject matter.

The module will use a blend of teaching methods and a range of activities, as a platform for the development of essential skills such as intellectual skills, communication skills and problem solving, as well as research, teamwork, negotiation, presentation, referencing, argument, judgement and appropriate use of IT.

The majority of learning materials will be presented online asynchronously organised as a series of weekly topics. Students will be encouraged to follow the weekly schedule where this is possible. Three synchronous online webinars will be held to provide opportunities for live interaction between students and lecturer, to cover an introduction to the module and learning expectations, an assessment guidance session, and a consolidation session prior to the assessment date. These sessions will be recorded for the benefit of students who are unable to attend at the scheduled time.

Neil Parpworth, Constitutional and Administrative Law (11th edn, Oxford University Press 2020)



Alex Carroll, Constitutional and Administrative Law (9th edn, Pearson 2017)



The book by Neil Parpworth is available electronically on Law Trove.

Books:

John Stanton and Craig Prescott, Public Law (2nd edn, Oxford University Press 2020)

Hilaire Barnett, Constitutional and Administrative Law (13th edn, Routledge 2019)

Journals:

Journal articles, from journals including Public Law, will be available on one of the databases (below)

Databases:

Law Trove

Westlaw

Lexis Library