The purpose of Reading Law is to prepare non-law students for the study of criminal law, which may follow this module. The main sources of law will be carefully examined to enable students to find, read, understand and cite statutes, statutory instruments and law reports. In addition, secondary resources including books and journals will be located and utilised. The fundamental concepts of judicial precedent and statutory interpretation will be considered, along with sources of law emanating from the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Union
Total Study Hours: 150
Total Contact Hours: 20
Private Study Hours: 130
BA (Hons) Criminal Justice and Criminology (UKM)
BA (Hons) Criminal Justice and Criminology with a Year in Professional Practice (UKM)
Main assessment methods
This module is assessed 100% by coursework as follows:
Commentary, 1500 words (40%)
Self-reflective Development Record, 1000 words (20%)
Case Note, 1500 words (40%)
Reassessment methods
The module will be reassessed by a reassessment instrument of a case note for 100%.
Emily Finch and Stefan Fafinski, Legal Skills (6th edn, OUP 2017) is the required course text. In addition relevant materials will be made available on Moodle and students are expected to read the broadsheet newspapers.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. demonstrate (at an introductory level) the technical skills required to read law - including an understanding of judicial precedent and
statutory interpretation
2. evaluate the impact of the operation of law upon the users of the criminal justice system
3. understand legal reasoning in preparation for the study of criminal law
4. increase their knowledge of the practices of the English legal system
5. explore learning strategies and to reflect upon the processes involved in acquiring a new and technical skill
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of legal arguments
2. demonstrate reflective learning skills, particularly in the context of acquiring a new skill
3. demonstrate legal problem identification and legal problem solving skills
4. write precise reports, analytical and evaluative assessments and present research
5. argue, reason and present legal submissions
6. manage their time, evaluate competing priorities, and forward plan
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