| Unit name | Regulation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWDM0110 |
| Credit points | 30 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Tony Prosser |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
In recent years, regulation has emerged as one of the most distinct and important fields of study in the social sciences, both for policy-makers and for scholars who require a theoretical framework that can be applied to any social sector. This unit provides a conceptual map of the field and an accessible and critical introduction to the subject. It has five aims: 1) to present and analyse the main theories of regulation; 2) to present and analyse a range of techniques and instruments for regulating; 3) to understand the conditions under which compliance with and enforcement of regulation occurs; 4) to explore issues of accountability and legitimacy in relation to regulation; and 5) to understand how the first four issues are shaped by the supranational context of the global economy. These aims will be carried out using case studies from regulation of the environment and regulation of the global economy.
By the end of the unit, a successful student will be able to: 1) be able to read and critically analyse material on regulation from politics and sociology (but not from technical economics) 2) understand and critically analyse theories of regulation 3) understand and critically analyse a range of techniques and instruments for regulating 4) understand and critically analyse the conditions under which compliance with and enforcement of regulation occurs 5) understand and critically analyse the key facets of how regulation is rendered legitimate and accountable 6) understand how the above issues are shaped by the supranational context of the global economy 7) apply the analytical tools discussed above to a range of policy sectors and practical issues of relevance to their research.
The teaching will draw upon case studies from regulation of the environment and regulation of the global economy, using material which can be adapted to mirror the specific interests of the students year on year.
A formative essay set early in the course of 1,000 words will require students to juxtapose a legal and a social-scientific article on regulation, to give them an opportunity to practice developing the analytical skills necessary for the interdisciplinary approach adopted in the course.
The summative coursework essay (3000 words, 33%), will be due approximately halfway through the course and will test the students’ ability to link case study policy material with theoretical material from that part of the course which they have covered at that point (namely, theories of regulation and the key facets of how regulation is rendered legitimate and accountable, both shaped by the supranational context of the global economy). Students will be required to select one of four questions.
The summative examination coursework essay (66%) will require students to apply to particular policy sectors and/or legal issues a selection of analytical tools in relation to theories of regulation, techniques and instruments for regulating, the conditions under which compliance with and enforcement of regulation occurs, and the key facets of how regulation is rendered legitimate and accountable.
12 two-hour seminars
1. Formative essay of 1000 words due early in the course. 2. Summative 3,000 word essay (33%), due in mid-May 3. Summative 3 hour written exam (66%) requiring 3 essay questions to be selected from a choice of 8 or 9.
Primary text: Morgan and Yeung (eds), An Introduction to Law and Regulation: Text and Materials (Cambridge University Press 2007). This text excerpts readings from the majority of other key regulation texts that will be used. It will be supplemented and updated by:
Tony Prosser, The Regulatory Enterprise (Oxford UP 2010)
Walter Mattli and Ngaire Woods (eds), The Politics of Global Regulation (Princeton UP 2009)
Susan Silbey et al, special issue of Regulation and Governance vol. 5 issue 1 on The sociological citizen: Pragmatic and relational regulation in law and organizations (March 2011)
Lesley McAllister, Benjamin van Rooij and Robert Kagan (2010), special issue of Law and Policy vol. 32 issue 1 on Reorienting Regulation: Pollution Enforcement in Industrializing Countries
Daniel Drezner, All Politics is Global: Explaining International Regulatory Regimes (Princeton 2007)
