Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module BUSS2171: LAW

Department: Business School (Business) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BUSS2171: LAW

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2012/13 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to N400

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with an understanding of the principles of English law

Content

  • The impact of civil law on business and professional services
  • Company and insolvency law
  • The impact of criminal law on business and professional services
  • The impact of law in the professional context

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Have an understanding of the legal business environment, including the impact of civil and criminal law on business and professional services
  • Have an understanding of the nature of contractual agreements, the agency relationship and the consequences of negligence
  • Have an understanding of the legal implications of incorporation, including the roles of shareholders and directors, and the main implications of insolvency law
  • Have an awareness of other key areas in which the law affects the role and work of the professional accountant
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Be able to identify instances of criminal behaviour that may be encountered by professional accountants
  • Be able to identify instances and consequences of negligence and vicarious liability
Key Skills:
  • Awareness of, and sensitivity, to cultural differences
  • Reporting and communication skills
  • Critical analysis and judgement skills

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

  • Learning will be based on knowledge transfer from lectures, seminars and personal study; investigation of cases and real world organisations which will underpin the seminars will encourage students to develop awareness of cultural differences and apply these to development of their skills in managing themselves and others in such contexts.
  • Seminar activities and discussions will provide background for the main contractual agreements and legal implications of professional practices in a comprehensive form.
  • Background on the relevant concepts will provide the ground for comprehensive review of different legal implications of provision of the professional services; this will be examined through the summative assignment.
  • The examination addresses students understanding to the main legal and contractual agreements of the accounting professional practices.
  • The formative assignment will provide feedback to students regarding their understanding of the main legal consequences of the professional practices.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 4 per week 2 hours 20
Seminars 4 Weekly 2 hours 8
Comprehensive Review 1 Annual 2 hours 2
Preparation and Reading 170
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual assignment based on comprehensive review 2500 words 100% Same
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Online assessment via DUO.


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