Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2017-2018 (archived)

Module ECOS1261: Law

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

ECOS1261: Law

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2017/18 Module Cap Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to N407

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with an understanding of the principles of English law as they relate to business and professional services.

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:
  • On completion of this module students should:
  • 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:
  • On completion of this module students should:
  • 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 written communication skills
  • Critical analysis and judgment 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.
  • Seminar activities and discussions will provide the technical awareness of topics in a comprehensive form.
  • The formative assessment – in the form of an online test – will provide feedback to students regarding their understanding of the main legal consequences of accounting professional practices.
  • The summative examination tests students’ understanding of the main legal and contractual agreements of accounting professional practices.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 11 8 day teaching block 2 hours 22
Seminars 4 8 day teaching block 2 hours 8
Revision Webinar 1 Annual 1 hour 1
Preparation and Reading 169
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination 2 hours 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Online test


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