Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

n/a

Co Requisite Comment

n/a

Aims

(1) To undertake research on a specific legal, socio-legal or legally related topic working largely alone, and to present in a structured, written form the results of that research. The research may be of an empirical or library based nature, or be a combination of each.

(2) To develop the student's interest in areas of and approaches to legal study which may not be covered in taught courses.

(3) To be assessed on the basis of skills different from those required for a traditional examination.

(4) To demonstrate organisational and planning skills together with initiative.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module is a research module and as such does not contain involved teaching of a prescribed syllabus content, other than an introduction to legal research and legal methodologies at the beginning of the module.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Specific to approved title

Intended Skill Outcomes

Subject Specific Skills

(1) Ability to write with care and precision in the analysis and synthesis of the law.

(2) Ability to structure argument and analysis.

(3) Ability to identify issues for research and to retrieve accurate and relevant legal and other sources in primary and secondary form, both in paper and digital formats.

Cognitive Skills

(1) Analysis. Identifying and ordering issues by relevance and importance

(2) Synthesis of materials from diverse sources.

(3) Critical judgement. Discernment between the merits or otherwise of particular arguments.

(4) Evaluation. Making a reasoned choice between competing solutions or arguments.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Dissertations require, in various measure, analysis, synthesis, evaluation and criticism of the work of others. The format of the dissertation is fully compatible with achieving the subject specific and cognitive skills as outlined above. The rationale for this teaching method is to promote analytical, argumentative and critical skills. The learning methods will rely on directed independent study which will bring together the knowledge, cognitive, research and the assessed key skills.

6 initial lectures are provided on research methods in order to facilitate the significant amount of independent study required on the module, and which is supported by 6 supervisory sessions.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The dissertation assesses the ability to produce an extended piece of written research in the chosen area.

General Notes

N/A