Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide incoming LLM students with an understanding of the different
theoretical and methodological choices that can be made in legal study, as a means of providing
students with the skills necessary to undertake a Masters-level dissertation. While the first part of
the module will be led by Dr McCauley to encompass skills-based learning, the later classes will be
given by a range of colleagues in the Law School in which they provide insight into their area of
research expertise, the substantive content they deal with in their work, and the particular
theoretical and/or methodological approaches that they use to conduct research. This serves two
main objectives: the first is to make students aware of the different ways that they can conduct
legal research, and an understanding of ensuring that the theories and methods are appropriate to
the research questions they are asking; the second is to make students more familiar with the
different scholars working in the Law School, so that they may tailor dissertation topics accordingly.
The key objectives of this module are as follows: -

1) To familiarise students with some different theories and methodologies for conducting legal
research;

2) To make students aware of the different colleagues working in the Law School and their research
areas;

3) To facilitate a critical reflection on the relation between research question, theory and method in
such a way as to ensure that dissertation proposals are appropriately structured, coherent and
informed;

4) To develop skills in identifying research topics, and explain them to an audience in written and oral
form;

5) To prepare students for writing their final LLM dissertation.

Outline Of Syllabus

The proposed outline of the syllabus is as follows, with the proviso that case studies will change each
year dependent upon available staff.

1) Legal research – what is it, how do we do it, and why do we make the choices we make?

2) Proposal writing – what does a dissertation proposal look like, and what information should it
contain?

3) Epistemology and ontology – ensuring that your theory and methods are appropriate

4) Case study: doctrinal legal research

5) Case study: comparative legal research

6) Case study: socio-legal research

7) Case study: critical legal studies research

8) Case study: legal history research

9) Case study: conducting interdisciplinary research

10) Summing up and proposal drafting

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding
of:
* What legal research entails, and the importance of consistency in approach;
* What epistemology and ontology are, and why they are important for ensuring the coherence and
consistency of research;
* A range of different approaches to legal study, inclusive of their main theoretical and
methodological approaches;
* How to ensure that interdisciplinary research is conducted in a way that is appropriate and
consistent;

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate:
Cognitive skills – having completed the module, students will be able to demonstrate these subject
specific skills:

* The ability to turn an interest in a specific area of law into a specific research question;

* How to identify and explain the theoretical and/or methodological choices most appropriate for
answering that question;

* How to ensure that this research question both guides the research and serves to structure their
work;
Key transferable skills – having completed the module, students will be able to:

* Write a dissertation proposal, and what elements it should contain;

* Begin structuring a dissertation and explain the theoretical and/or methodological choices being
made;

* Explain their research choices made in both oral and written form;

* Demonstrate critical reasoning skills;

* Demonstrate skills in collecting, handling, and evaluating source information;

* Demonstrate oral and written presentation skills, through active participation in class and
preparation of written tasks;

* Demonstrate the ability to carry out independent research and identify relevant primary and
secondary legal materials, as well as relevant non-legal sources;

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Workshops will be delivered in person. As this is a core module taken by all LLM students in person teaching provides the opportunity to build interpersonal links across the cohort, familiarise students with the academic skills and commitments expected of them at this level of study and encourage them to make friendship beyond their immediate language or ethnic group. Delivered in two-hour workshops which combine knowledge exchange and its application, the module’s in class exercises encourage students to engage with the subject matter in a way which could not be achieved with online delivery, to work collaboratively and to use their communication skills effectively. In person delivery also provides opportunity for students to raise questions and build confidence in seeking clarification where concepts, expectations or assignments are not well understood.

In terms of the specific teaching methods, workshops have been chosen as the most suitable method of teaching for this content, because in the context of an introductory overview of the main points of the session they allow for inter-active engagement with the subject matter. Student led-discussion and response and the opportunity to introduce a range of contemporary examples as platforms for exploring research methodologies and theories. Workshops also provide the opportunity for students to learn about the breadth and diversity of research carried out in the law school through presentations by a number of Law School academics and thereby acquire insights into the many different ways in which research can be undertaken. This breadth of exposure is valuable for the dissertation which all students undertake as part of the programme. Time-tabled workshops sessions will be supported by on line Q and A exercises and drop-in/surgery hours, where students can ask questions regarding course content, specific readings, or to prepare for the assessment for the module. Directed research and reading will be prepared provided for each session, which allows students to develop greater insight into the areas of legal research discussed in each activity.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment for this module comprises two elements: one formative research proposal poster of 1,000 word, and
one 3,000 word dissertation proposal. The formative assessment requires students to reflect on the first topics of this module, and then compose a poster about the importance of ensuring clarity and rigour in research design in order to demonstrate their understanding of the relevance of epistemological and ontological coherence when developing a research project. It will also require students to reflect on possible areas of interest (and to engage with relevant staff members) they may have in legal research, and how the first three sessions will inform their proposal writing. The 3,000 word dissertation proposal builds upon the poster and the feedback provided upon it, allowing for students to identify a subject area, an explicit research question within that area, and the theories and/or methods they will use in order to address that research question. This document will also be required to demonstrate the relevance of their chosen topic, and place it in the relevant body of academic literature (albeit in less detail than a formal literature review)

General Notes

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