Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module has four interrelated aims:


(i) To provide students with an understanding of the historical influences upon the development of the laws of England;


(ii) To study this relation with respect to various aspects of the legal system, and to challenge this distinction and division with particular reference to the historical role of law as an instrument of governance;


(iii) To develop in students an interdisciplinary understanding of the relation of law and history, and of legal and historical method;


(iv) To develop associated theoretical, critical, communicative and research-based skills appropriate to a Stage 3 study in law and similar disciplines.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module is structured around five substantive topics, united by a focus upon the overarching theme of ‘Law and Governance’, which progress through the history of English law in a chronological and thematic order. They will be preceded an “Introduction to Law and History”, which introduces students to key concepts, institutions, sources and debates in relation to the past of the law.

The four substantive topics will each be centred around a particular year, in order to give a focus for the topics to be studied. The four central years will be 1613, 1765, 1887, and 1919.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of historical and legal historical methodology and consonant critical intellectual skills

Students will acquire an appreciation of the historical development of the laws of England, and of juristic and popular thinking about the nature, role and significance of these laws

Students will acquire an advanced critical and inter-contextual understanding of the relation of law and governance in the closer context of English political and social history

Intended Skill Outcomes

Subject-specific skills:

(i)       Ability to identify principal arguments in English legal history and historical methodology
(ii)       Ability to engage in historical and inter-contextual legal study
(iii)       Ability to pursue research in particular aspects of English legal, political and social history

Cognitive skills:

(i)       Ability to enhance critical and communicative skills in advanced legal study
(ii)       Ability to synthesize texts and materials from different sources and disciplines
(iii)       Ability to discern relative critical merit in legal and historical argument

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The teaching methods have been adapted for delivery on the post-COVID environment are based on presumption that some face to face lectures, seminars and in-person drop-in sessions shall be possible but that this shall be augmented by on-line materials hosted on canvas (alternative arrangements under ‘FLEX’ are included in case of the possibility of more limited possibilities for on campus teaching). The delivery set out is multi-faceted and designed to engage and enthuse students and help them become active, independent and reflective learners. Particular focus is placed on giving students the guidance they need in order to develop the skills they need to do well on this module, which differs in important ways from the doctrinal and theoretical focus of much of the rest of their degree programme.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Assessment for this kind of course is well-suited to research-based essay assignments. It will comprise of a set question on an issue or area covered by the module’s taught curriculum, to be answered by one 3,500-word essay.

It is the most appropriate means by which to assess the development of communication, written and research skills, whilst also permitting students to illustrate the development of necessary subject-specific knowledge bases.

General Notes

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