LAW7016 - Dissertation

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

Define a law research project suitable for a 12,000-word dissertation.

Demonstrate critical and conceptual understanding that enables critical evaluation of current legal research applicable to a legal issue and appropriate research skills in handling a range of primary and secondary material relevant to the project.

Produce a piece of coherently argued writing, supported by appropriately presented evidence, making a valid contribution to critical debate on the topic, demonstrating conceptual understanding of the law that enables critical evaluation and analysis of a legal issue.

Content:

You will define a research project of your choice on an area of law, in consultation with an appointed member of staff; formulate a proposal; complete the project, under the supervision of the appointed member of staff; and complete a dissertation based on the project, appropriately presented and supported by scholarly apparatus.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Student learning will be supported through individual supervisions and workshops. Workshops use and include a blended approach in providing formal delivery including lectures and seminars.

The bulk of this module is guided independent study, where you will undertake research and write your dissertation.

Individual supervision takes place in face-to-face meetings and e-mail communication, and will include detailed feedback on draft material.

The workshops include tutor input and question-and-answer sessions. Topics will often relate to one of the taught modules.

Workshops
Hours: 3
Intended group size: 20

Individual Supervision
Hours: 6
Guided independent study

Hours: 591

Outline proposals (consisting of a provisional title; outline of the proposed research question; indicative reading list, and brief account of methodology) will be submitted – and will be used as the submission in relation to ethics approval by the School.

Dissertation: This takes the form of a piece of legal research into a topic of your own choosing. This is designed to test students’ knowledge and understanding of relevant issues and concepts in connection with a legal topic and to formulate and analyse it, in a written format, allowing them to make judgements based on an informed understanding of arguments in the area of law in question using information from a range of appropriate sources. The research will also test effective referencing and research techniques, including identifying, selecting and presenting information and evaluating critical commentary.

Full details are available in the Module Handbook.

Assessment:

001 Dissertation; 12,000 words; end of semester 3 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 7
Credit Value - 60
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 7T1S7T3

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