This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module has three main parts and provides a critical introduction to the following topics:
1) Constitutionalism - the module looks at law and political theory to ask:
a. What is a Constitution and Constitutionalism?
b. What is a state and how does it constitute itself?
c. What is the relationship between the citizen and the state?
d. Where does sovereignty lie?
e. What is the role of law?
f. What do Constitutions tells us about political projects for Reform?
2) Forms of government
a. Democracy
b. Federalism
c. Regionalism
d. Supra-national bodies
3) Constraining the power of the state
a. Human Rights
b. Judicial Review
c. Other mechanisms
Total Contact Hours: 72
Private Study Hours: 228
LW614 offers additional drop in sessions.
Certificate in Law
Main assessment methods
The module will be assessed by examination (50%) and coursework (50%).
Essay of no more than 2000 words: 30%
Multiple Choice Test (MCT) via Moodle: 20%
Exam: 3 hours: 50%
Reassessment methods
The module will be reassessed by like-for-like reassessment of failed individual component(s) of assessment.
Core/recommended reading
• Le Sueur, Sunkin and Murkens, Public Law, Oxford University Press, Oxford (2016) or
• Loveland, Ian , Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Human Rights: A Critical Introduction, Oxford University Press, Oxford (7th
edition, )
Other core reading includes:
• Bradley, Anthony and Ewing, Keith, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Longmans (16th edition)
• Turpin, Colin and Tomkins, Adam, British Government and the Constitution, Cambridge University Press (7th edition, 2011)
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to demonstrate:
1. Knowledge and understanding, including an introduction to a range of critical and theoretical perspectives, of the structure and distribution
of public power
2. Knowledge and understanding of the legal and conventional constraints on government
3. An introductory knowledge and understanding of human rights protection
4. Knowledge and understanding of judicial review and other administrative law remedies
5. An ability to identify the source of legal authority for government action
6. An ability to identify controlling institutional structures and identify their causal power in determining the way in which individuals can
respond within the public law sphere
7. An ability to evaluate the impact of a range of political texts on the emergence and development of:
a. British constitutionalism
b. Other examples of constitutionalism
c. Human Rights
8. An ability to read and evaluate legal texts and cases and understand their relevance to the British Constitution and to the development of
administrative law and human rights law
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an ability to construct an argument based on authoritative sources and convey it in written form, with appropriate and
accurate use of language, referencing and citation
2. Analyse case law, identify the key concepts, the inter-relation between the facts and the legal arguments, and provide a coherent account
of the judgment
3. Advance coherent legal and constitutional arguments in written form
4. Demonstrate an ability to provide a sustained analysis properly researched and thought through in essay form
5. Make proper use of web based material and to distinguish good sources from inadequate ones
6. Make proper use of the library resources by way of law reports, articles and monographs and textbooks
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
