Module Information
Module Identifier
LC13220
Module Title
Law in Action
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Reflective Journal 1500 Words | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Written Essay 1500 Words | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Reflective Journal 1500 Words | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written Essay 1500 Words | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify, explain and analyse basic aspects of the operation of the law.
2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the theories, concepts and principles underlying the functioning of the broader legal system within a contemporary context.
3. Utilize and apply basic skills to analyse the wide and diverse influences on the legal system.
4. Show developing skills in assessing and evaluating current legal problems from a societal perspective.
5. Show developing skills in evaluating specific aspects of the legal system in terms of equitable application of justice.
Brief description
Law in Action will provide a comprehensive and interactive overview of how law actually functions in society, by addressing its application in contemporary issues and events.
The objective is to enable students to appreciate the pervasive role of law in all areas of human activity and interaction, thereby equipping them with a more practical and wider perspective on the reach and complexity of the legal system.
The module will also serve as a platform for career awareness and advice, including guest speakers and visiting legal professionals.
Academic skills will be integrated with practical activities, enhancing the overall level of academic competence necessary for Level 1, in particular critical thinking and legal analysis.
The module will enhance critical thinking and legal analysis ability.
The objective is to enable students to appreciate the pervasive role of law in all areas of human activity and interaction, thereby equipping them with a more practical and wider perspective on the reach and complexity of the legal system.
The module will also serve as a platform for career awareness and advice, including guest speakers and visiting legal professionals.
Academic skills will be integrated with practical activities, enhancing the overall level of academic competence necessary for Level 1, in particular critical thinking and legal analysis.
The module will enhance critical thinking and legal analysis ability.
Content
The module aims to enhance training in legal skills (following on from semester one) in a wider and more practice-orientated manner.
The focus will be on creating awareness of the different aspects of ‘Law in Action’. This will include court visits and guest lectures by legal professionals.
Critical skills will be enhanced by focusing, among other topics, on law reform and the role of civil society.
The underlying rationale of the module is to foster awareness amongst students of the crucial role law plays in all aspects of human activity and, to that end, the content of the course will and should vary from year to year because of changing events. However, there will be core commonalities which are designed to ensure the inherent integrity of the module, as well as continuity. The following topics will be included:
Taster lectures on a wide range of topics – this is very beneficial for students in order to make informed choices in second and third year and to enhance their general awareness off the depth and scope of the legal system.
Practical experiences, such as court visits. Such experiences will be used in order to acquire not only legal knowledge, but also to enhance and hone their general skills set
Contributions by external speakers on law careers on all levels
Informal moot court sessions will familiarize students with the relevant protocols of the court room as well as enhancing legal reasoning and analysis
Debating sessions to familiarize students on a range of current topics and to acquire relevant oratory skills.
The focus will be on creating awareness of the different aspects of ‘Law in Action’. This will include court visits and guest lectures by legal professionals.
Critical skills will be enhanced by focusing, among other topics, on law reform and the role of civil society.
The underlying rationale of the module is to foster awareness amongst students of the crucial role law plays in all aspects of human activity and, to that end, the content of the course will and should vary from year to year because of changing events. However, there will be core commonalities which are designed to ensure the inherent integrity of the module, as well as continuity. The following topics will be included:
Taster lectures on a wide range of topics – this is very beneficial for students in order to make informed choices in second and third year and to enhance their general awareness off the depth and scope of the legal system.
Practical experiences, such as court visits. Such experiences will be used in order to acquire not only legal knowledge, but also to enhance and hone their general skills set
Contributions by external speakers on law careers on all levels
Informal moot court sessions will familiarize students with the relevant protocols of the court room as well as enhancing legal reasoning and analysis
Debating sessions to familiarize students on a range of current topics and to acquire relevant oratory skills.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | n/a |
| Communication | Seminar discussions/activities develop individual and group presentation and oral argument |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Seminar participation and essay writing develop different aspects of academic research, from understanding and referencing sources through the dissemination of ideas to others orally, and developing written communication skills. |
| Information Technology | Library and research skills are fundamental to preparation for seminars and assessed work. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Recommended topic for all law students. |
| Problem solving | Seminar discussion/preparation and debate. |
| Research skills | Research and preparation for seminars and assessments. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Reading and understanding legal materials. The ability to analyze legal scenarios. |
| Team work | Group activities and discussion. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4