Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module LAW1091: UK CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Department: Law

LAW1091: UK CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to M101
Tied to M155
Tied to L3M1

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • • None

Aims

  • To provide a general understanding of the basic institutions, concepts and principles relating to the constitution of the United Kingdom

Content

  • The nature of the UK Constitution (including comparisons; sources; key concepts of Parliamentary sovereignty; separation of powers; rule of law); devolution; House of Lords reform and the Constitutional Reform Act 2005; accountability of the executive (ministerial responsibility; freedom of information; ombudsman).

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students should be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of constitutional law and principles of the United Kingdom
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students should be able to ability to apply the constitutional law of the United Kingdom and analyse and understand its development.
Key Skills:
  • Students should be able to demonstrate basic analytical and writing skills, including the ability to work independently and for the student to take responsibility for his/her 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 tests the ability to focus on relevant legal issues and organise knowledge and argument appropriate to questions raised. The examination questions will provide the means for students to demonstrate the acquisition of subject knowledge and the development of their problem-solving skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 20 Weekly 1 hour 20
Tutorials 4 Normally two in each of Michaelmas and Epiphany 1 hour 4 ■
Preparation and Reading 176
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination - including 15 minutes reading but not writing-in-the-answer-book time 2hrs 15mins 100%

Formative Assessment:

Two essays of about 1500 words each.

■ 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