LW2RPP-Research Placement Project

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2017/8

Module Convenor: Dr Mai Sato

Email: m.sato@reading.ac.uk

Summary module description:

Aims:
•To provide students with a hands-on experience of the academic research process, from the design of a project and research question through to the production of a research output;
•To provide a forum for the development of key research skills relating to the capacity to generate original knowledge;
•To provide a forum for the development of key skills relating to the presentation of ideas in written form;
•To give the opportunity to obtain an in-depth understanding of a specific applied topic of legal study.

Assessable learning outcomes:
•Demonstrate an understanding of the research process, and an ability to identify, refine, and address a research question;
•Demonstrate an ability to utilise different methodologies of legal research within the context of a wider project;
•Formulate, develop, and evaluate critical arguments about legal issues via independent research;
•Apply the relevant law so as to reach clear and supportable conclusions;
•Produce well-written and well-presented research outputs.

Additional outcomes:
•An ability to work with others and respond to supervision as part of a broader research project;
•Initiative and problem-solving skills;
•Independent research skills, including the capacity to use library and IT resources to locate and access relevant research materials.

Outline content:

Students will be allocated to work with a supervising member of staff on a research project that contributes to that member of staff’s research agenda or professional expertise. After induction into the aims of the module and the skills required to undertake legal research, students will work with the supervisor to produce an individual written research output. This will be supported via a series of practical sessions, each of which will address a different element of the process.

The substantive topics will typically include (but not be limited to):

- Company law

- Migration

- Miscarriages of Justice

- Comparative Criminal Law 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
3 lectures and 2 practicals in the autumn term, covering both substantive material and research skills and methods, and 1 further practical session in the spring term, focusing on the writing process. Independent research on the topic set for the assessed work.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	3	0
Practicals classes and workshops	2	1
Guided independent study	95	99
Total hours by term	100.00	100.00
Total hours for module	200.00

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Other information on summative assessment:
An essay of no more than 10 pages formatted in accordance with the School of Law Assessed Work Rules, as set out in the Law School Guide and LLB Programme Handbook.

Formative assessment methods:
At each of the second and third project supervision sessions, students will be required to bring and present a piece of preparatory work (such as a literature review or draft bibliography) as requested by their supervisor. These will form the basis of discussion during the supervision session and students will receive some form of feedback on their performance to date (this may include peer feedback).

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.

where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Length of examination:

Requirements for a pass:
40% Overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of the essay in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 26 September 2017