Introduction to Law and Legal Skills

LAWS10160 Introduction to Law and Legal Skills 30 Full year Undergraduate Level 1 Suzanne Gower Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' First part HE study/Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 15.0 Max 10000 words The ILALS course unit aims to provide students with an introduction to key foundational legal concepts, including the structure of the English legal system and the role of legal professionals, legal method, ethics and legal theory, and a consideration of law in its wider context. The unit also aims to ensure students develop the key legal and academic skills necessary for their wider studies, including research, independent study and communication skills, as well as an introduction to professional legal skills and the digital skills necessary for their future studies and careers. Students will be required to reflect on their intellectual and skills development throughout the unit with the aim that, by the end of the unit, students will be able to clearly articulate their existing skills and have an awareness of those areas in which they need to further develop. The unit will also introduce social responsibility and its relevance to the study of law, offering opportunities for students to develop group-work skills. This will also help to foster strong relationships and instil a sense of community of practice in the student  cohort.  1. Analyse the basic structure of the English legal system, including demonstrating an understanding of the procedures and roles of the criminal and civil justice systems and the key features of a common law system compared to other global legal systems. 2. Demonstrate understanding of the principles and rules of the doctrine of judicial precedent and statutory interpretation. 3. Identify and understand the development of the different sources of law and legal principles in the English legal system including the role of EU, international law, and human rights law. 4. Understand the foundations of legal theory and demonstrate an awareness of other theoretical perspectives. 5. Identify and understand different concepts of justice, including access to justice. 6. Demonstrate an awareness of ethical principles and values and principles of social responsibility and commercial awareness, including their relevance to the wider context in which law and legal professionals operate. 7. Understand the role of the legal professions, the range and purpose of professional legal skills and the different routes into the legal profession.  1. Apply the main principles of legal reasoning when formulating and presenting structured arguments. 2. Demonstrate independent learning and ability to reflect on the role and purpose of different forms of assessment at university.  1. Communicate effectively in writing and orally to different audiences and identify where to find further support when required. 2. Demonstrate the principles of good academic practice in research including finding, referencing, reading and evaluating academic materials when carrying out a research task. 3. Locate, navigate and reference primary and secondary sources of law and other legal materials. 4. Undertake a set role within a structured team activity in order to reach defined goals and outputs.  1. Reflect on and evidence personal learning and skills development in an academic and employability context. 2. Demonstrate an awareness of their current level of competence in a range of digital skills and identify how to develop those skills.  General Academic SkillsIntroduction to:<ul><li>Academic Writing, Research, Referencing and Good Academic Practice  </li><li>Critical Thinking, Independent Study and Assessment Skills</li><li>Reflection on Learning, Feedback and Skills Development</li><li>Oral Communication and Digital Skills</li><li>Working in Groups</li></ul>English Legal System<ul><li>Structure of the English Legal System, including an introduction to alternative methods of dispute resolution</li><li>Introduction to Structure and Procedure of the Civil and Criminal Justice systems</li><li>Sources of Law, including an introduction to EU and international sources</li><li>Roles of different personnel and other organisations involved in the legal process</li></ul>Legal Method<ul><li>Judicial Precedent</li><li>Statutory Interpretation</li><li>Introduction to Legal Reasoning and Theory</li></ul>Legal Skills<ul><li>Finding, Navigating and Using Legal Sources</li><li>Legal referencing</li><li>Introduction to Professional Legal Skills</li><li>Legal problem-solving</li><li>Mooting</li></ul>Law in ContextIntroduction to:<ul><li>Ethics, morality and the law</li><li>Human rights</li><li>Social responsibility</li><li>Legal Tech</li></ul>Additional content<ul><li>Careers and Employability / Career development</li></ul> This course uses the standard approach of a combination of lectures and 2-hour workshops as the scheduled teaching and learning activities. Lectures will introduce the content and skills taught on this course and will be taught by a team of colleagues, including guest lecturers. Some lectures will include interactive elements or may require students to do individual or group preparation in advance. Workshops will enable students to participate in a range of activities in small groups and will be led by the workshop leader. They will include opportunities for students to develop and get feedback on presentation skills and peer to peer learning. Students will have individual reading and group tasks to prepare before workshops and will be encouraged to engage in reflective tasks throughout the year. One feature of this course unit will be a group task supporting understanding of social responsibility in a legal context. This course unit has a Blackboard page which will be used to deliver the range of course materials and information about teaching, learning and assessment for that course unit. It will also be used to provide online learning activities such as MCQs and quizzes to support learning and provide feedback on progress and development. The course unit will incorporate activities supported by peer mentors and students will be encouraged to reflect on their employability skills and feedback with staff members responsible for their personal academic development.  0 Other 25% 5 Portfolio 75% MCQ exam 25% Individual and cohort feedback on summative assessments. Formative research task and group poster presentation. Additional feedback on workshop tasks and in office hours. N This unit is one of the Foundations of Legal Knowledge subjects required for students wishing to satisfy the Academic Stage of Training for the Bar Standards Board. Lectures 30 Practical classes & workshops 16 0 254