LAW6042 - Comparative Law

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate depth of knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts and techniques in the discipline of comparative law, and of various legal systems, including civil and common law.
Analyse the relation of national, trans-national and international law.
Apply appropriate theoretical and methodological approaches to the analysis and interpretation of issues of comparative law.
Synthesise relevant issues and information in solving comparative law problems.
Undertake self-directed research in comparative law.

Content:

This law option module enables students to acquire a depth of understanding of the principles and methodology of comparative law, as well as knowledge of the civil law and other legal systems.

The module also enables students to develop awareness of the issues surrounding comparative law techniques, practical and ethical implications arising through comparisons between legal systems, and to evaluate the operation of legal systems within society, particularly in terms of social, economic and political contexts.

The module is taught so as to:
- equip students to carry out independent tasks and research to a high level of aptitude;
- further develop students' intellectual/cognitive/'thinking' skills, enabling students to develop arguments and possible solutions to legal problems;
- further develop students' Employability skills and their impact in the context of the subject area.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will be delivered through seminars that combine aspects of lectures, workshops, group tutorials, directed learning and formative feedback.

The first half of the module will be assessed through a case study which raises interesting and significant aspects about the principles and legislation governing comparative law. As with Level 5 modules, students will be prepared for this assignment through active rehearsal of case study analysis. Feedback from such activity should flag up possible research questions and areas in which core knowledge should be consolidated. The students will be expected to contribute to these onward requirements in order to develop and reinforce self-directed learning. Again, as with Level 5 work, the focus will be on deep learning: making links between the various definitions, Acts, agents, and transactions or relationships involved, doing so across a range of sample cases and scenarios designed to test grasp of accuracy and detail.

In the second half of the module the students will be prepared for a 3,000-word essay that is designed to test their ability to engage in deeper reflection, analysis, and research on a significant topic. Students will be able to negotiate the topic, which should involve aspects of ethics and social justice. The teaching for this half of the module will be student-led and the tutorial aspect will be emphasised.

Lectures/workshops/tutorials
Hours: 36
Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 164

Further details relating to assessment
As this module is not a Foundation Subject, it is assessed by way of a case study at 40% and 3,000-word essay at 60%, rather than an exam. Although the 3,000-word essay may be more than the University's usual tariff, study of law option subjects to 60 credits is still a requirement for a QLD and, at Level 6 on a law degree programme, the expectation is that students should be engaging with a higher level of complexity. The 3,000-word requirement is therefore not to do with the number of words as such but the need to allow students to develop their thinking, provide critical judgement and consider alternative or competing arguments, and evidenced conclusions.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Nathan Uglow
Level - 6
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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