Unit information: British Constitutional History in 2015/16

Unit name	British Constitutional History
Unit code	LANG00012
Credit points	20
Level of study	QCA-3
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Ms. Taylor
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in the writing component (and a minimum 5 in all other components)
Co-requisites	Academic Writing (LANG00006); Text Response (LANG00010); What does it mean to be human? (I) (ARTF00004)
School/department	Centre for Academic Language and Development
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is designed to prepare students with a social and intellectual background towards their undergraduate studies in Law. It aims to provide an introduction to the British constitution and its history and provide a foundational knowledge of the English and European legal systems. It also aims to explore and develop students' essential legal skills, such as legal reading and legal writing.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit a successful student will have a social and intellectual context within which to place their study of first year undergraduate studies in law.

More specifically, a successful student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the purposes and functions of the UK constitution, its development and key institutions;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the development and functions of the key institutions in the EU and their relationship with the UK;
3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the court system;
4. Think critically about the roles of judges, lawyers and lay people within the UK legal system;
5. Demonstrate understanding of the law making processes;
6. Think critically about precedent and the interpretation of statutes;
7. Research, analyse and evaluate legal sources.

Teaching Information

Learning is facilitated in small group classroom sessions. These seminars will include short lectures and class discussions. In addition to a range of textbooks and authentic texts, use will be made of appropriate e-learning technologies.

Number of hours for unit

Teaching (seminars) 40 hours (2 hours per week over 2 teaching blocks)

Independent guided studies 160 hours

Assessment Information

This 20 credit unit for the IFP Law involves:

1. Written assignment – 1500 words (weighting 40%; ILO 1, 2, 7)
2. Presentation (weighting 10%; ILO: 1,7)
3. Written Examination – 3 hour (weighting 50%; ILO: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Reading and References

Alder J. (2011) Constitutional and Administrative Law. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Cownie, F.,Bradney, A., & Burton, M. (2013) English Legal System in Context. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Leyland, P. (2012) The Constitution of the United Kingdom. Oxford: Hart Publishing.

Partington M. (2011). Introduction to the English Legal System (6th edn, Oxford University Press 2011)

Syrett, k. (2011). The Foundations of Public Law: Principles and Problems of Power in the British Constitution. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Tomkins, A. (2003) Public Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press