BA (Hons) Legal Studies

Level Three

European Union Governance [Core]
The European Union (EU) is an organisation of small and medium sized independent states which have pooled a significant amount of national sovereignty to achieve economic and political objectives which have been established in the founding Treaties of the EU. In order for these objectives to be achieved a system of governance has emerged within the European Union which does not fit neatly into any of the recognised theories of governments or integration. This system of governance is complex and includes national governments, political institutions of the EU and the nation states, consultative bodies, business organisations, non-governmental bodies and the ordinary citizens of the EU.

This module draws on the disciplines of politics and economics to provide an understanding of way in which the system of governance within the EU functions. The module provides the contextual framework for the programme of study of European Union law being undertaken by the students. Particular stress will be given to the role of the institutional actors at national and supranational level in the EU's policy process. The roles of the other actors in the policy process such as individual citizens and the non-governmental organisations will also be considered. Attention will be paid to the issue of reform of the decision making process in the light of enlargement of the European Union and the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. The differing national perspectives on the EU will also be considered as part of the discussions in this module.

English Legal Method [Core]
This module is designed to develop students' knowledge, understanding and analytical skills in relation to the nature and operation of the English Legal System, by strengthening their legal skills, focusing on how to use those skills effectively and to provide students with the ability to critically evaluate and compare the principal sources of law in England and Wales with the French legal system and, more broadly, to examine comparatively the differences – including strengths and weaknesses – of common and civil law systems.

In addition, the module focuses on developing and enhancing students’ legal research skills including the use of IT in legal research. It strengthens students’ legal advocacy and clinical skills by way of an assessed moot competition and develops their critical skills, including how to critique academic commentary.

Common Law: Tort [Option]
The module will analyse a number of specific torts, beginning with the tort of negligence (including psychiatric harm), and also considering, for example, trespass, occupiers’ liability, nuisance, liability for escapes and defamation.

The module will make comparison with other approaches to obligations, such as contract law and the Human Rights Act 1998. A critical approach will be adopted in analysing the rules and development of case law, taking account of the importance of the policy and social context within which tort law operates.

Common Law: Contract [Option]
The module deals with aspects of the general principles of English contract law. It will develop students’ understanding of the common law approach to obligations based on agreement.

Studying this module will give students a sound grounding in the rules of English Law relating to the formation, content and discharge of contracts. It will encourage a critical evaluation of these rules, and make use of comparisons with other approaches, such as those contained in the Principles of European Contract Law.

Substantive Legal Aspects of the European Internal Market [Core]
This module will examine aspects of the fundamental legal rules underpinning the European internal market, namely the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital.

Students will acquire an understanding of substantive primary and secondary European Union law through the study of the prohibitions on barriers to trade as between Member States; the free movement of European Union workers and work-seekers and the principle of non discrimination on grounds of nationality; the freedom to move and reside of citizens of the Union and their family members; the right of establishment; the freedom to receive and to provide services; and the free movement of capital.

The integrative role and jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union will receive critical appraisal in the context of freedom of movement and non discrimination on grounds of nationality within the European Union Member States.

Constitutional Law [Core]
The aim of this module is to analyse the principles, structure and operation of the UK constitution. It is concerned with the law about government, and the relationship between the institutions of government, and between government and the citizen. The module examines key legal, political and constitutional concepts and is designed to encourage critical appraisal of Constitutional Law rules and of the institutions and processes of government in the UK.

The module will pay particular attention to the exercise of political power, control of government power and the notion of accountability.

International Law [Option]
The aim of this module is to introduce students to a dynamic, constantly evolving area of law, focusing on themes that are relevant and topical in today’s world. It will allow students to study legal rules which operate in a much broader theatre than national law, and will provide a framework to help them to develop a greater understanding of a changing world order. The module will introduce students to both theoretical and practical applications of relevant International Law principles and will also examine the role and functions of key international institutions.

Consumer Law [Option]
The aim of this module is to allow students to explore what has been described as a dynamic area of law. The module deals with specific areas of consumer law, much of which has been influenced by the rapid expansion of consumer law legislation emanating from the European Union. The module allows students to explore the intricacies, any inconsistencies, and issues of policy involved in particular areas of consumer protection law.

Law Dissertation [Option]
The Law Dissertation module provides the student with an opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of investigative academic work on a chosen area of law or a law-related topic. The dissertation may develop ideas encountered in other modules or it may be concerned with matters outside such modules. The end product, a piece of written work approximately 12,500 words in length, should demonstrate, in the context of existing knowledge, understanding, critical analysis and original thinking as well as general academic and communication skills. In addition to providing academic opportunities, the dissertation also provides the student with the opportunity to develop practical skills such as (depending on the topic and methodology adopted) interviewing technique, questionnaire design and information retrieval. The language of submission of the dissertation will be English language for all students.

Environmental Law [Option]
A primary aim of a taught Environmental Law module is to introduce students to the sources of environmental law, and in particular to the provisions and principles of European Union law which, respectively, govern and guide European Union environmental regulation. The enforcement of European Union environmental law before the Court of Justice of the European Union and in the national courts will receive critical appraisal. Resort to national private law in order to protect the environment will be examined generally, as will the administration and scrutiny of environmental law and policy, together with the regulatory agencies set up to control the protection of the environment and also environmental crime. Public participation in environmental regulation will be treated.

Students will develop an understanding of substantive environmental law through the study of local controls and remedies; environmental assessment; and the law regulating the protection of air against pollution and climate change; water pollution and quality; waste management; integrated pollution prevention and control; the conservation

The teaching and learning strategy adopted within the BA (Hons) Legal Studies programme derives from a variety of styles in order to support the independent study of a student. Although the main platform will be the lecture/seminar format there will also be briefings on specific tasks, support for self directed study, some computer laboratory sessions, moots and presentations.

Where the lecture/seminar format is used there will be a weekly lecture to introduce a topic or develop a topic and its related concepts and principles. The lecture will highlight the important points of the subject and also provide information not readily available from the usual sources. The material used in the lecture will provide a student with a foundation on which to build a more detailed knowledge and understanding of the subject through the medium of their own private study. This private study can be adapted by a student to facilitate his/her own preferred methods of learning, for example by small group discussion, or a group-led discussion of a legal problem for presentation in the seminars.

The seminars exercises will develop the students’ understanding of the subject material, awareness of competing theories and analytical frameworks, level of analysis as a preparation for the required end of semester assessment, ability to identify the relevant arguments to be used in the final assessment, and research and communication skills.

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Lectures and seminars will take up 8-10 hours per week and students are expected to undertake 30 hours of private study per week in addition. Students are given exercises to prepare for discussion with tutors each week.

The main emphasis of the teaching and learning strategy is to develop students as independent learners. It is the efforts made by students themselves which provide the best indicators of success. The primary role of the teaching staff is to support and facilitate the independent learning of the students.

The teaching strategy for each unit will accommodate a variety of styles. Most units are delivered through a weekly lecture with an accompanying seminar. In addition there will also be ‘briefings’ on a specific tasks and support for self-directed study. Some units are also delivered through computer laboratory sessions, workshops, moots, and presentations.

Assessment is an integral part of any course of study. It not only monitors progress, but also, by the provision of relevant feedback, students are helped to improve their work. Above all, assessment should give a true account of a student’s range of skills and knowledge. The course team uses a variety of different types of assessments including a bibliographic review in order to draw out research and analytical abilities, assignments to allow students to demonstrate their competence in written communication, seminar presentations to highlight oral communication and moots to facilitate teamwork. All forms of assessment require a student to demonstrate knowledge, problem solving, research, analytical and evaluation skills.

European Union Governance

• Bibliographic Review (30%)
• Assignment (70%)

English Legal Method

• Moot (60%)
• Written assignment (40%)

Common Law Tort

• Assignment (100%)

Common Law Contract

• In-class presentation (30%)
• Written assignment (70%)

Substantive Legal Aspects of the European Internal Market

• Examination (100%)

Constitutional Law

• Examination (100%)

Commercial Law

• Examination (100%)

International Law

• Assignment (100%)

Consumer Law

• Assignment (50%)
• Assignment (50%)

Company Law

• Assignment (40%)
• Examination (60%)

Environmental Law

• Assignment (40%)
• Examination (60%)

Law Dissertation

• Dissertation (12,500 words) (100%)

If you have an interest in the subject of law and wish to enhance your understanding of the discipline by study of a common law legal system in an English speaking, friendly environment where you will work with students of other nationalities in addition to British students then this is the course for you.

The objective of the course is to provide students with a high level academic experience. Specifically the course will develop your understanding of the legal systems of the UK common law system and the legal system of the European Union. In addition students will have an opportunity to develop an understanding of the context, sources and the institutions of international law.

Alongside these intellectual skills the programme is also designed to ensure that by the end of the course you will be adept at reading and interpreting complex legal documents which you have accessed from a number of legal sources.

Amongst the transferable skills developed during the programme you are required to demonstrate your ability to manage your own learning, to work effectively as a member of a team and to use forms of communication which are commensurate with a graduate with honours of the University of Lincoln. Practical skills which you may already have in word-processing, use of the electronic means of communication and electronic data/document retrieval systems will be enhanced as a result of following this programme.

Graduates from this course pursue opportunities as legal researchers for major companies or charitable organisations. The degree also forms a good basis for postgraduate study, further professional legal training or teacher training.

(Note: this programme is not a qualifying law degree).

What We Look for in Your Application

We are looking for students who have an interest in Law as an academic discipline, demonstrated by their successful completion of a programme of at least three years of legal studies in an institution of higher education, or who have successfully completed three years of study within a four year programme of law or legal related studies and who have satisfactorily demonstrated their ability to progress to the final level of undergraduate study. The programme is an intensive one year programme of study so we are looking for students with a high degree of motivation and commitment to their studies. We ask for this to be confirmed by recommendation from former tutors and/or the recommendation of a member of the academic staff of the University of Lincoln as a result of an informal interview.

How to Apply

Students are required to apply online using the Universities Centralised Admissions System (UCAS),

Interviews

Informal interviews may be conducted, where possible in the institution the student is attending at the time the application is completed.

Successful completion of three years of legal studies in an institution of higher education.
Plus evidence of appropriate levels of English language competence (IELTS point 6 overall average with 6.5 in Reading, or a recognised equivalent qualification).

OR

Students who have successfully completed three years of study within a four year programme of law or legal related studies and who have satisfactorily demonstrated their ability to progress to the final level of undergraduate study would also be eligible. Plus evidence of appropriate levels of English language competence.

You will require a minimum of three years study of a non-common law legal system in an institution of higher education. You are also required to have a good standard of English language competence as the programme is delivered and assessed entirely in English (IELTS average score 6, including a score of 6.5 in Reading, or a recognised equivalent qualification).

For further information and funding your study please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding