Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

This is an advanced module that requires students to have studied the basic areas of private law first.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

In this module, students will explore a small number of problematic areas in private law in some depth. The areas to be explored will differ from year to year. The object of the module is not to gain knowledge of specific content (although this will occur), but to consider more broadly why certain areas of private law remain problematic and the different approaches adopted within private law to address such difficulties. Students will improve their analytical skills in identifying the nature of specific legal problems and their broader understanding of private law by placing those problems in a broader philosophical, historical, comparative and societal context. The module will particularly enable students to explore tensions and themes within private law, an understanding of which will enable them to better consider how problems that arise in the future may be addressed

Outline Of Syllabus

An example – syllabus will change each year with what’s topical and what fits with interests of particular staff members involved in module.

1.       Contract interpretation
2.       Private -v- Public – public authority liability
3.       Illegality - defences in contract and tort
4.       Responsiveness of private law to social change – privacy (a case study)
5. Feminism and private law

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of this module students will be able to:

* demonstrate a critical appreciation of the philosophical, historical, comparative and societal context of different areas of private law;

* analyse how different jurisdictions have responded to similar problems in private law;

* demonstrate a critical appreciation of the distinctiveness of private law and the future challenges it faces.

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of this module students will be able to:

* Write with care and precision in the analysis and synthesis of the law;

* Structure legal argument and analysis;

* Synthesise materials from diverse sources;

* Exercise critical judgement;

* Discern between the merits or otherwise of particular arguments;

* Analyse and advance problematic areas in private law not covered in the module.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This is an advanced module, with students being challenged to develop their own ways of thinking about complex issues. Issues will be introduced in lectures and discussed in small group teaching.

Drop-in/Surgery time is provided in this module as part of the Law School assessment and feedback policy such that markers and/or module leaders will offer the opportunity for one-to-one oral feedback on students' work, in addition to written feedback on coursework front sheets and generic class feedback. The time given above is merely indicative and more time may be scheduled if necessary to meet the demand for individual feedback.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students will examine a piece of source material in depth during the course of the semester. This will enable them to hone their skills to sit the final exam.

General Notes

N/A