Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 11 x 2 Hour Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT OR ASSIGNMENTS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 3,000 WORDS | 80% |
| Semester Assessment | ORAL PRESENTATION | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT OF UP TP A MAXIMUM OF 3,000 WORDS TO BE RESUBMITTED, IF FAILED | 80% |
| Supplementary Assessment | ORAL PRESENTATION OR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT IN LIEU OF ORAL PRESENTATION TO BE SUBMITTED, IF FAILED | 20% |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to.
1. identify and understand the potential value of conventional and less conventional written and other media for purposes of aiding research, the development of theory, and the construction of research argument;
2. think critically about the location and selection of a range of sources and media in libraries, archives, databases and other sites;
3. employ a rigorous interpretation and application of such material for purposes of research and research writing;
4. incorporate this approach as a research methodology in relation to their own research projects.
Brief description
The module will examine a range of texts and media and consider the way in which such material may be exploited for purposes of carrying out research and constructing academic argument in the field of law. The range of media to be investigated will include conventional legal source material at one end of the spectrum, historical documentation and archival material, various literary sources (historical and contemporary), through to visual media and dramatic media (whether live or recorded) as less conventional sources at the other end of the spectrum. The discussion will focus on the ways of `reading? and interpreting such sources and critically consider the limitations and potential of such interpretative activity for purposes of illuminating the subject-matter of legal research and constructing theoretical argument
Content
2. The concepts of `text? and `media? and an examination of the ways in which such sources (a) record information and (b) provide a site for discourse and the transmission of ideas.
3. Conventional legal materials : forms, content, style, and methods of reading and interpretation.
4. Historical and archival sources relevant to legal research : problems of location, reliability and interpretation of such material.
5. Reportage and discussion of events through `news? media and the use of such material for purposes of legal research.
6. Literary sources, as contained in particular in main literary formats (fiction, poetry, drama) and how such sources may be exploited in legal research : the `law and literature? approach.
7. Visual sources : visual artwork and other forms of illustration as source and the problems of interpreting such material for purposes of legal research.
8. Dramatic sources : theatre, film and music as a source of information and discourse.
Transferable skills
Throughout the module, students will practise and develop their skills of research, analysis, time-management, oral and written presentation. In seminars they will develop their ability to listen, understand and explain subject related topics as well as present a point of view orally and discuss their thoughts with the rest of the class; their assignments will enable them to develop their skills of independent research, analysis, presentation and writing (including data collection and retrieval, IT and time management). All learning throughout the module will be relevant to a career in any legal profession.
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7