Professional Development and Skills
MODULE CODE
CREDIT VALUE
Module Aims
Aim 1
To identify and develop skills essential for the effective study of the law.
Aim 2
To develop appropriate oral and written skills to communicate legal points and arguments effectively.
Aim 3
To set goals for their individual professional and personal development.
Aim 4
To turn personal skills into academic ones and academic skills into transferable employment skills.
Aim 5
To demonstrate critical reflection of skills and evaluate their own progress.
Module Content
• Introduction to the module: explanation of module expectations and skills to be addressed
• Finding the law: to include a library tour; information on a range of legal resources and databases; and search strategies
• Understanding the law: to include consideration of a range of sources of law including statutes and case law; introduction to legal vocabulary; navigating sources of law; the doctrine of judicial precedent; and statutory interpretation
• Writng about the law: to include approaches to problem solving and essay writing in the context of academic law, and the use of legal authority; OSCOLA referencing guide, bibliography and word count (avoiding plagiarism)
• Essay writing: research and plan the first essay; writing introductions and conclusions; presenting an argument; practical exercises; feedback and reflection on formative essay.
• Assessments: looking at marking criteria, grades and feedback. Examples of previous anonymised student work.
• Speaking about the law: to include preparation for oral workshop skills; basic presentation skills; preparation of legal argument; and mooting
• Professional and personal development: to include self-audit on academic, personal and professional development; transferrable skills development; and plan actions for monitoring progress
• Review of plans for summative assessment: one to one interview with tutor.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
The module will be delivered on campus. Delivery will be organised around lectures and workshops.
Learning and teaching strategy:
The primary objective of the lectures is to provide an outline of the subject matter and a framework for its understanding which students can use as a base for their independent study directed to the requirements of the workshops. Workshops will take place fortnightly. The students build upon their understanding gained in the lecture session by reading specified cases, articles and appropriate textbooks in preparation for the workshops. The aims and learning outcomes of each individual workshop are clearly set out and students are encouraged to consider the short, self-help questions before taking the activities set for the group discussion. The workshops will be interactive and will incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including quizzes, debates, presentations, mooting, individual work, teamwork and other learning activities as appropriate.
Assessment strategy:
The portfolio will incorporate a range of written tasks. Students will be encouraged to submit sections of the portfolio for tutor feedback at several points during the module. They will be expected to act on this feedback so they can improve their written work prior to the final submission of their portfolio. In preparation for their mooting assessment, students will be given the opportunity to submit a skeleton argument and to undertake a practice moot. Tutors will provide formative feedback on these elements to help students to develop their mooting skills prior to the assessment. Summative assessment will focus on the accuracy of the synoptic knowledge across the whole syllabus and evaluate written and oral skills and the ability to communicate legal arguments effectively. The students will also receive individual feedback as to how their professional and personal skills can be monitored and improved.
Assessment Methods
This module is assessed through one Essay and one Moot.
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Compulsory
Optional
