LLB Law

This course unit aims to equip students with the ability to analyse UK Public Law, and to understand the role of Public Law (both Constitutional and Administrative Law) within its wider social, political, and moral context. 

By the end of the course, students will be able to show knowledge and understanding of the Public Law facets of the UK legal system, including the major concepts and principles of that system and its main legal institutions, sources and procedures, developments, and an awareness of similarities and differences in other legal systems. Along this vein, the unit will introduce foundational legal knowledge which is a prerequisite for engaging with other modules (e.g. the operation of Human Rights within the domestic legal framework) and enable students to practise and develop the analytical, presentational and digital skills necessary for their future studies and careers. 

The course aims to enable learners to develop a critical understanding of the general objectives, values, and principles of Public Law and to build both a knowledge based and critical thinking skills which can be applied to real world situations.  It will introduce students to key concepts in ethics and social justice and enable them to develop awareness of social responsibility in the context of Constitutional and Administrative Law.  The workshop materials engage with questions about access to justice and discussions of case law and political issues in which individuals and groups have sought to protect and assert fundamental rights for themselves or others.

All Level 1 and Level 2 Law course units use a combination of lectures and 2 hour workshops as the scheduled teaching and learning activities. 

Lectures will introduce the content and skills taught on this course and will be taught by a team of colleagues, including guest lecturers. Some lectures may include interactive elements or may require students to do individual or group preparation in advance. 

Workshops will enable students to participate in a range of activities in small groups and will be led by the workshop leader.  Workshops will support active approaches to learning and encourage students to socially construct knowledge using active group work both within, and in preparation for, workshops.  Students will have individual reading and group tasks to prepare before workshops and opportunities for formal/informal and tutor-led/peer-to-peer feedback will be embedded in workshop design. This will include student presentations as well as an assessment & feedback focused workshop. 

This course unit has a Blackboard page which will be used to deliver the range of course materials and information about teaching, learning and assessment for that course unit. It may also be used to provide online learning activities such as MCQs and quizzes to consolidate knowledge, support learning and provide feedback on progress and development.

Demonstrate knowledge of the underlying concepts, values, rules, principles and doctrine of Public Law (both Constitutional Law and Administrative Law) in England and Wales.

Identify, interpret, evaluate, and apply both relevant primary and secondary legal sources and – where appropriate – appropriate non-legal sources to critically analyse different perspectives on core elements of the British Constitution to advocate for a preferred intellectual position in a context in which there is no single necessary or correct answer through considering the strengths and weaknesses of law, evidence, and arguments.

Communicate effectively in writing to present structured arguments and counterarguments which are supported by appropriately referenced primary and secondary sources of Constitutional and Administrative Law including cases, statutes, peer reviewed academic writing, and relevant sources from other legal jurisdictions, and other non-legal sources as appropriate. 

Defend given arguments as to Public Law issues whilst demonstrating an ability to engage respectfully and constructively those with opposing views in ideological debates.

Individual and cohort feedback on summative assessment.

Formative exam and presentation.

Additional feedback on workshop tasks and in office hours.