Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module LAW2111: EMPLOYMENT LAW

Department: Law

LAW2111: EMPLOYMENT LAW

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Not available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Introduction to English Law and Legal Method (LAW 1121) and Law of Torts (LAW 1051) and EU Constitutional Law (LAW 1061) and Contract Law (LAW 1071) and The Individual and the State (LAW 1081) and UK Constitutional Law (LAW 1091) (any of these modules may be taken as co-requisites).

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with a sound understanding of the legal provisions governing the employment relationship.
  • To enable students to develop an insight into current issues and possible future developments in employment law
  • To provide students with the opportunity to develop proficiency with online legal research tools.

Content

  • Introduction to employment law.
  • The role and nature of the institutions of employment law
  • The nature of the employment relationship - employment status.
  • The contract of employment
  • Termination of employment at common law - wrongful dismissal.
  • Unfair dismissal
  • Redundancy and reorganisation
  • Family-friendly policies
  • Discrimination at work.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students should be able to:
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of the existing law on the employment relationship.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students should be able to:
  • Apply the existing law to given factual scenarios and advise accordingly
  • Analyse and evaluate the existing law in light of the legal, social, economic and political questions raised
  • Engage in informed debate concerning future changes in the law
Key Skills:
  • Students should be able to:
  • Demonstrate developed analytical and writing skills, including 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. The examination 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.
  • Students will be supported and encouraged in the development of their research and writing skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 20 Weekly 1 hour 20
Tutorials 5 Normally: two in Michaelmas, three in Epiphany 1 hour 5
Preparation and Reading 175
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination 3 hours 100% yes

Formative Assessment:

2 essays of 1,500 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