Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module LAW1023: THE LAW OF OBLIGATIONS

Department: LAW

LAW1023: THE LAW OF OBLIGATIONS

Type	Tied	Level	1	Credits	60	Availability	Available in 2005/06	Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Tied to	L2M1
Tied to	L3M1
Tied to	LM21
Tied to	M101
Tied to	M1L1
Tied to	M1L2
Tied to	M1L3

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

Introduction to Law (LAW1031).

Aims

To provide a general understanding of the nature and functions of the law of obligations.
To examine the constituent elements of contract and some major torts.
To provide some understanding of the common law in action.

Content

TORT ELEMENT: Historical Introduction, General Principles, Specific Torts (Trespass, Negligence, Nuisance and Defamation), Compensation.
CONTRACT ELEMENT: Formation of Contract, Mistake and Misrepresentation, Inequality of Bargaining Power, Contents of Contract, Remedies for Breach of Contract, Privity of Contract, Restitution.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Students should be able to:
Demonstrate a sound understanding of the existing law on contract and tort in England and Wales.

Subject-specific Skills:

Students should be able to:
Demonstrate the ability to apply the law to factual scenarios and advise accordingly.
Demonstrate improved analytical skills and the ability to adopt a questioning and evaluative approach to legal rules, as well as an appreciation of the different ways in which the law is capable of being developed and of the non-legal pressures which routinely affect its development.

Key Skills:

Students should be able to:
Demonstrate improved analytical and writing skills as well as the ability to work independently and to take responsibility for their own learning.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Lectures are used primarily to impart knowledge - and also to suggest approaches to evaluation and critical analysis;
Tutorials will be used to develop and enhance students capacity for legal-problem solving in a particular factual situation, evaluative critical analysis and their appreciation of laws' linkage with broader fields of enquiry;
Assignments (formative) are used both to develop problem-solving skills, the ability to engage in sustained evaluation of proposed schemes of reforms, and the ability to evaluate the law in a critical and contextual way.
Summative assessment comprises one unseen examination of three hours for each element.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	70	4 per week	1 hour	70
Tutorials	14	2 per fortnight	1 hour	14
Preparation and Reading				516
Total				600

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
three-hour written examination 1		50%
three-hour written examination 2		50%

Formative Assessment:

2 Essays/Term (Michaelmas and Epiphany only) 1500 words max. (tort) 1 Essay 1500 words max. (contract)

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University