The module will provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the core principles relating to the formation, performance and discharge of contracts and an appreciation of the commercial implications of such principles.
Students will explore these principles through the following topics:

The different business mediums
Separate corporate personality
Company constitution
Financing the company by loans/equity
Capital Maintenance
Directors
Substantial property transactions
Minority protection
Insolvency

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.

Company Law sessions 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.



Large Group Sessions

In this module the basic principles of Company Law will be outlined in a series of whole group participatory lectures

Smaller Group Activities

The large group sessions will be supplemented by smaller group activities in which students will examine particular aspects of the law of contract by means of group problem solving activities. A variety of teaching and learning methods will be used to encourage and develop both individual and collaborative learning. Students will be encouraged to present argument and carry out research using electronic resources.

DIRECTED STUDY AND INDEPENDENT LEARNING:
This will consist of preparation for the work to be undertaken in the workshops and also assessment. Students will be provided with guidance in their module study guide, lecture materials and via Blackboard. A significant amount of on-line guided support will be provided via Blackboard and this will include further reading, research exercises, and on-line collaboration to support workshop preparation. The independent learning activities encourage students to develop a critical understanding of the principles of company law and provide practice in preparation for assessments.

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.


Pre-seen case study with questions under exam conditions (1 hour ) covering one or more Semester 1 topics. Learning Outcomes: 1-5. Weighted at 30%
AND
Unseen Examination (2 hours) on a combination of Semester 1 & 2 topics. Learning Outcomes 1- 4. Weighted at 70%


Company Law statute book, without annotations, will be allowed for the Summative and Formative Assessments.

Working towards the assessment tasks will be a key element of the learning, and tutors will be available to guide students through the process. Face to face contact sessions focussed on assessment activities will be scheduled into the timetable.

Access to appropriate texts, legislation and case law including electronic access
Module study guide. Large group session outlines.

French, D. Blackstone's Statutes on Company Law (18th Edition, OUP 2014)
Sealy, L., Worthington.S., Cases and Materials in Company Law (10th Edition, OUP 2013)
Wild.C., Weinstein.S., Smith and Keenan's Company Law (16th Edition, Pearson 2014)
French, D.; Mayson, S. & Ryan.C, Mayson, French, and Ryan on Company Law (31st Edition, OUP 2014)

1. Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of key aspects of company law.
Knowledge and Understanding

2. Demonstrate an ability to communicate and analyse such knowledge and understanding in writing.
Communication
Knowledge and Understanding

3. Develop appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions – to a problem and use decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts.
Analysis
Application
Problem solving

4. Deploy accurately established techniques of research and enquiry
Enquiry

5. Manage their own learning by self reflection, exercising initiative and personal responsibility and demonstrating the learning ability, qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment or further training of a professional or equivalent nature.
Enquiry
Reflection