This module introduces students to the nature of business law and commercial awareness contextualised to the professional services sector and contemporary business environments. Indicative content includes:

- the nature of business organisation and structures
- the form of business liability and directors' duties and obligations
- professional negligence
- issues relating to contractual and commercial transactions
- the relevance of human resource management and an introduction to employment law issues
- the relevance of corporate liability for environmental harm caused by business organisations
- understanding intellectual property issues
- understanding global trade and ethics
- essential marketing for professional services
- understanding trading, profit and loss in a business context
- key business skills for legal professionals
- the nature of business development
- developing commercial awareness
- effective employability and networking skills

The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 300 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 72 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 228 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks.

Contact will include a mixture of small and larger group activities, much of it based on the principles of practice and problem based learning. Learning will be organised into a series of sessions where students will be required to participate. Each session 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.

Large group sessions seek to establish an overview framework within which selected theories and rules of the subject matter can be more effectively developed. They will verify and consolidate knowledge and understanding and will engage in more detailed exposition of selected theories, rules and constraints.

The guided learning will incorporate a mixture of activities, some of which will require group work and electronic interaction. The learning will be facilitated by use of the VLE platform and discussions/interactions between students and tutors.

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 to enable different styles of learning to be facilitated. The differing methods will also be 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.

Working towards the assessment tasks will be a key element of the learning, and tutors will be available to guide students through the process, and to improve their ability to meet the learning outcomes to a high standard. It is expected that around 100 hours of the module will be devoted to the assessment tasks - much of it during the self-directed periods in relation to the extended writing assessment.

Assessment will be an integral part of the module. There will be two assessment points and workshops focused on assessment activities will be scheduled into the timetable. Earlier tasks will be shorter and more succinct, enabling fast feedback from the tutors so that students can learn and improve for later assessment tasks. Formative feedback will be provided wherever possible.

Semester 2

Assessment is comprised of:

1. Reflective Log (1500 words) - relating to work-related experience (30%) -assessing learning outcome 4.

2. Short research project (3,500 words) on an area relating to business law and commercial awareness (70%)- assessing learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

Assessment will be built into workshop sessions and students will receive supervision sessions for extended writing and reflection.

Practical Law Online, Westlaw, Lexis-Nexis and VLE

Business Law: David Kelly, Ruby Hammer & John Hendy: 2nd Edition: April 2014

1. Demonstrate an ability to conduct independent research including the use of and evaluation of, appropriate online resources.
Learning
Enquiry
Reflection

2. Demonstrate an ability to critically examine an appropriate area of business law efficiently and effectively in writing.
Knowledge and Understanding
Communication

3. Communicate an understanding of commercial awareness in relation to business law and principles.
Reflection Communication
Problem Solving

4. Effectively communicate skills and abilities to peers and employers through the contextualisation of experiences in work-related situations.
Application
Knowledge and Understanding
Reflection