University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2019/20 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > University of Bristol Law School > Socio-Legal Studies (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 9LAWD014T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Morag McDermont
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full or Part Time |
Programme length |
1 years (full time)
2 years (part time) |
This programme aims to develop student's knowledge and understanding of, and interest in, interdisciplinary approaches to the study of law and legal phenomena. The programme provides a sound research training for students wishing to proceed to PhD study or to a career in socio-legal research through the study of different research methodologies across the social sciences and law. During the programme, students will pursue independent, in-depth study in socio-legal studies, engaging in lively debates in a thriving research culture across social sciences and law.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of knowledge through seminars, lectures and tutorials, together with directed reading. Independent learning and the management of research projects are achieved primarily through coursework components and the dissertation. Core units will be provided by both Law and Sociology, which stress the importance of interdisciplinary research approaches. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The knowledge base is largely tested through coursework essays, which require a detailed and expansive treatment of the subject, and practical work. Some options will be tested through traditional unseen written examinations (which may include both essay questions and hypothetical problems). |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through seminars, oral presentations, group work and written assignments. Core units |
Methods of Assessment | |
Coursework and examinations enable students to demonstrate the intellectual skills and attributes developed during the programme of study. The dissertation demonstrates the student's ability to carry out an extended investigation of relevance to the programme using accepted scholarly canons. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Seminars and tutorials develop students' linguistic ability and confidence. Core units have integrated elements of group work integrated and appropriate time is given over to the use of ICT techniques. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Coursework and examinations are premised on students' ability to communicate effectively, and to disseminate research results clearly. Equally, coursework, particularly in quantitative research methods, requires an appropriately advanced understanding of ICT techniques. The dissertation supplements both, enabling students to demonstrate higher level abilities. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
By the end of their studies, students will be expected to be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the conceptual understandings of socio-legal studies and the values in interdisciplinary research. They will have an awareness of and ability to engage critically with current academic debates about the nature of socio-legal studies and its underlying philosophies – in particular, they will be required to demonstrate an understanding of the interaction between different sociological theories and law. They will be expected to be able to demonstrate understandings of, and ability in, appropriate quantitative and qualitative methodologies, to formulate research questions and turn them into manageable research projects. In optional units, students are expected to expand their knowledge by taking one or two options from a menu of a range of subjects across the social sciences. Students will be expected to demonstrate familiarity with current academic debates in particular areas, rooted in the knowledge-base of different parts of the Faculty of Social Science and Law. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
It is anticipated that the dissertation will build upon the optional units and develop the approaches of units taken. In particular, students will be expected to be able to demonstrate an ability to frame a research question and use an appropriate methodology in response to that question. Students will be required to demonstrate an ability to organise discussion and select material; appropriate higher level knowledge and understanding of background literature together with higher order presentational skills. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
David Cowan, University of Bristol Law School, D.S.Cowan@bristol.ac.uk
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Dissertation | LAWDM1001 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Social and Legal Theory | LAWDM0083 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Advanced Legal and Socio-Legal Research Methods | LAWDM0084 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences Not available in this year | SOCIM0011 | 20 | Mandatory | |
Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0012 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0013 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Students take optional units up to a value of 30 credit points. | ||||
There is considerable flexibility within the MSc programme as to the units which are available to students. Students can take optional units in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies, the School for Policy Studies and the Law School. The Law School units are listed below: | ||||
Carriage of Goods | LAWDM0006 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Company Law | LAWDM0008 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Regulation of Financial Markets and Institutions | LAWDM0017 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Individual Employment Rights | LAWDM0021 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Intellectual Property | LAWDM0022 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
General Principles of International Law | LAWDM0026 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Law Gender and Sexuality | LAWDM0033 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Public Law | LAWDM0059 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Law of Contract | LAWDM0061 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Law of Tort | LAWDM0062 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Corporate Governance in the United Kingdom and United States | LAWDM0069 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Information Technology Law | LAWDM0070 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Criminal Law and Criminal Justice | LAWDM0086 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Constitutional and Substantive EU Law | LAWDM0088 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Human Rights in Law, Politics and Society | LAWDM0089 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Supervised Individual Study (Socio-legal Studies) | LAWDM0109 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Law and the Use of Force | LAWDM0111 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Migration Law and Policy - International, European, and Human Rights Dimensions | LAWDM0112 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
World Trade Law | LAWDM0115 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Corporate Finance | LAWDM0116 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Insolvency Law | LAWDM0118 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Law and Human Rights | LAWDM0123 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Migration, Work and Labour Exploitation | LAWDM0153 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
The Law and Policy of Mergers and Acquisitions | LAWDM0125 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Maritime Security | LAWDM0126 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Health Inequalities, Law, and Society | LAWDM0130 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Public and Global Health Law | LAWDM0131 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Law and Governance for Mental and Social Well-Being | LAWDM0132 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Health Law and the Body | LAWDM0133 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Law, Governance and Health | LAWDM0134 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Law of Labour and Social Rights | LAWDM0136 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Trusts | LAWDM0140 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Sale of Goods | LAWDM0143 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Banking Conduct and Law | LAWDM0144 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Commercial Litigation | LAWDM1004 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Commercial Arbitration | LAWDM1005 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Choose open units | OPEN | 30 | Optional | |
MSc Socio-Legal Studies | 190 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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This is the recommended part-time structure but flexibility is permitted (i.e. which mandatory units are taken in year 1 or 2) depending on an individual student's need: | ||||
Social and Legal Theory | LAWDM0083 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Advanced Legal and Socio-Legal Research Methods | LAWDM0084 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0012 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Postgraduate Certificate on successful completion of 60cp, Postgraduate Diploma on successful completion of 120cp | 60 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences Not available in this year | SOCIM0011 | 20 | Mandatory | |
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0013 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Dissertation | LAWDM1001 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Students take optional units up to a value of 30 credit points. There is considerable flexibility within the MSc programme as to the units which are available to students. Students can take optional units in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies, the School for Policy Studies and the Law School. The Law School units are listed below: | ||||
Select from: | ||||
Company Law | LAWDM0008 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Individual Employment Rights | LAWDM0021 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Intellectual Property | LAWDM0022 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
General Principles of International Law | LAWDM0026 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Law Gender and Sexuality | LAWDM0033 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Public Law | LAWDM0059 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Law of Contract | LAWDM0061 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Law of Tort | LAWDM0062 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Corporate Governance in the United Kingdom and United States | LAWDM0069 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Information Technology Law | LAWDM0070 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Land Law | LAWDM0075 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Criminal Law and Criminal Justice | LAWDM0086 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Constitutional and Substantive EU Law | LAWDM0088 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Human Rights in Law, Politics and Society | LAWDM0089 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Supervised Individual Study (Socio-legal Studies) | LAWDM0109 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Migration Law and Policy - International, European, and Human Rights Dimensions | LAWDM0112 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Corporate Finance | LAWDM0116 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Law and Human Rights | LAWDM0123 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Maritime Security | LAWDM0126 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Health Inequalities, Law, and Society | LAWDM0130 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Public and Global Health Law | LAWDM0131 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Law and Governance for Mental and Social Well-Being | LAWDM0132 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Law, Governance and Health | LAWDM0134 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Trusts | LAWDM0140 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Sale of Goods | LAWDM0143 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Banking Conduct and Law | LAWDM0144 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Commercial Arbitration | LAWDM1005 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Workers, Unions and Collective Labour Rights | LAWDM0149 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Financial Markets and Bank Regulation | LAWDM0157 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Law and Armed Conflict | LAWDM0158 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
International Trade and Investment Law | LAWDM0159 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Migration and Labour Exploitation in the Global Economy | LAWDM0160 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
120 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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