Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)
Module LAW1091: UK CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
Department: Law
LAW1091: UK CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
| Type | Tied | Level | 1 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2023/24 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
| Tied to | M101 |
|---|---|
| Tied to | M103 |
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
- (1) The nature of the UK Constitution (including introduction to constitutionalism; sources, especially constitutional conventions; structures of government including devolution; comparisons; development and reform; (2) The Rule of Law, including case study on prerogative powers; (3) Parliamentary sovereignty including the impact of EU law; (4) Separation of powers; and judicial independence.
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 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;
- The assignment (formative) is 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
- The summative essay is a skills-based exercise, testing students' ability to engage in statutory interpretation, as well as applying the legal principles governing parliamentary sovereignty (topic 3 under Content, above).
- The examination questions will provide the means for students to demonstrate the acquisition of subject knowledge (topics 1, 2 and 4) and test their ability to make coherent, critical arguments evaluating different aspects of the UK constitution in a contextual manner.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | Weekly | 1 hour | 20 | |
| Tutorials | 5 | Normally two in each of Michaelmas and Epiphany, and one in Easter | 1 hour | 5 | ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 175 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 70% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| written examination | 2 hours | 100% | yes |
| Component: Summative Essay | Component Weighting: 30% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Summative interpretation exercise | 1,500 words | 100% | yes |
Formative Assessment:
One essay of 1500 words.
■ 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