LW3JUR-Jurisprudence

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mr Stuart Lakin
Email: s.j.lakin@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module provides an introduction to legal theory and the study of law as a question of justice and politics.

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with a critical introduction to various approaches to legal philosophy and to encourage students to question the nature of the phenomenon of law and its significance as a form of social control.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module it is expected that students will be able to:

• outline and draw upon ongoing debates over the connections between law, morality, society and politics;
• critically evaluate competing theses regarding the question ‘what is law?’ and articulate coherent arguments (both written and oral) in support of theoretical positions;
• contrast theories regarding the nature of legal reasoning and the disparate social forces acting upon its operation.

Additional outcomes:
This module also aims to encourage the development of oral communication and presentation skills and the student’s effectiveness in group situations. Students will also develop skills using legal databases, both paper and electronic. It also aims to encourage the further development of core research skills.

Outline content:

• Theories of law (e.g. Natural Law, Legal Positivism, Marxist Legal Theory).
• Critical approaches to jurisprudence (e.g. Critical Legal Studies, Feminism, Critical Race Theory & Postmodernism).
• Rights-based theories and legal reasoning (e.g. identity politics in law and interpretative frameworks)
• Anthropological and sociological approaches to law (e.g. legal pluralism).

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
There will be participatory seminars in the Autumn Term and group presentations in the Spring Term. Students will be required to undertake relevant preparatory reading prior to attending the seminars and will be expected to participate in group discussion.

• Note: The precise number of seminars in the Spring Term (which are set aside for group presentations) depends on the number of students taking the course.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	21	12
Project Supervision		1
Guided independent study:	82	84
Total hours by term	103	97
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	40
Written assignment including essay	35
Oral assessment and presentation	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:
One two-hour examination paper counting for 40% of the marks. Two questions to be answered.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Students will be required to participate in one oral presentation to the seminar group (approx. 25 minutes) and lead discussion thereon. The presentation, together with a presentation handout and bibliography, will account for 25% of the final mark for the module and marks will be awarded by team. A written paper (not more than 6 pages) on a title to be provided will account for 35% of the final mark for the module. Students will be assessed both on the content and the overall performance of the presentation. All written work must be formatted in accordance with the Assessed Work Rules in the School Guide.

Relative percentage of coursework: 60%.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that 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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
See School Guide (Programme Assessment), but note that only the failed element(s) must be retaken with marks for the passed element being carried forward.

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: 30 March 2023