LAW1054 : Introduction to Business Law - Undergraduate Study

Offered for Year: 2020/21

Module Leader(s): Dr Aris Christidis

Owning School: Newcastle Law School
Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Semester 1 Credit Value:	10
Semester 2 Credit Value:	10
ECTS Credits:	10.0

Aims

1. To acquire familiarity with the main legal institutions and sources of English law
2. To achieve awareness of areas of substantive law relevant to the operation of Business.
3. To provide an understanding of the commercial purpose and operation of the areas of law under consideration.

This module is designed for non-law students to introduce them to the nature of law, legal institutions and substantive private law. It covers the law of obligations, employment law, and company law.

Outline Of Syllabus

A. An introduction to Law and the English Legal System
- The Nature of Law
- The Sources of English Law
- The Court System and Alternative Dispute Resolution
B. General Principles of Contract Law (The law of obligations I)
- An introduction to Contract Law
- Formation of Contracts
- Vitiating Factors
- Discharge and Remedies
C. General Principles of Tort Law (The law of obligations II)
- An introduction to Tort Law
- The law of negligence and professional negligence
D. Employment Law
- Contracts of Employment
- Dismissal and Redundancy
E. The Structure and Management of Business
- Business Organisations
- Company Law I: Formation and Finance
- Company Law II: Company Running, Maintenance and Liquidation

Teaching Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

Teaching Activities

Category	Activity	Number	Length	Student Hours	Comment
Structured Guided Learning	Lecture materials	18	1:00	18:00	1 hr lecture
Guided Independent Study	Assessment preparation and completion	1	30:00	30:00	Material provided aiming to prepare students for their assessment
Structured Guided Learning	Academic skills activities	9	1:00	9:00	N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Small group teaching	5	1:00	5:00	seminars
Structured Guided Learning	Structured non-synchronous discussion	9	1:00	9:00	MCQs with formative feedback
Guided Independent Study	Independent study	1	119:00	119:00	N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Scheduled on-line contact time	10	1:00	10:00	Live ‘Q&A’
Total				200:00

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures: There will be 18 one-hour lecture material/podcasts interspersed with online learning activities throughout the year. Lecture materials are an important element for this module and are justified by the technical nature of the subject and the need to provide initial exposition to assist students in achieving the knowledge and skills base.

Small group teaching: There will be 5 one-hour small group classes (totaling five student activity hours), held on a synchronous basis, which will cover most topics indicated in the syllabus. Students will work together to develop a record of the seminar, which will be made available as an asynchronous source for students unable to attend, as well as key revision material. These classes will meet the knowledge and cognitive skills outcomes.

Scheduled online contact time: There will be five hours’ worth of live Q&A events run through discussion forums (and recorded for the benefit of students that were not available to attend). Students will be able to ask questions on topics covered in the lecture material and seminar teaching.

Structured non-synchronous discussion: There will be nine MCQ tests made available to students throughout the year. These MCQs will provide students with an opportunity to test their understanding of the factual content of the course, reinforcing the knowledge outcomes and cognitive skills outcomes, with the provision of immediate formative feedback.

Academic Skills Development: There will be nine hours of structured guided learning on academic skills development with relevant material provided.

Assessment preparation and completion: There will be 25 hours dedicated to material and activities relevant to the preparation of students for their final assessment. These activities will aim to cultivate further the knowledge and skills outcomes required for a good understanding of the law, its methods, and application.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams

Description	Length	Semester	When Set	Percentage	Comment
Written Examination	180	2	A	100	An examination of a particular style is necessary to meet accreditation requirements (PSRBs) for accounting and finance organisation

Formative Assessments

Description	Semester	When Set	Comment
Written Examination	1	A	A formative written exam for marking and feedback premised upon the style of the final exam, students will take at the end of S1

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Examination of a particular style (exam) is necessary to meet accreditation requirements (PSRBs) for accounting and finance bodies. The formative assessment will be premised on the style of the summative assessment to allow students to receive timely feedback and improve their knowledge and skills. Submission of the formative assessment is mandatory. This structure also provides incentives for students to stay engaged and study in semester 1.

Reading Lists

LAW1054's Reading List

Timetable

Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
LAW1054's Timetable

Module