Module LAW48945: Dissertation in Law and Finance

Department: Law

LAW48945: Dissertation in Law and Finance

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• The Dissertation in Law and Finance is designed to bring a greater element of research into the MSc by allowing students to pursue in-depth study on a topic in financial law, regulation, corporate finance or finance theory of particular interest to them.
• The Dissertation allows for a tailored approach to research. Students can either write a more theoretical desk-based research or conduct an in-depth analysis of a real case scenario concerning the practice of financial law, financial markets theory, corporate finance, or financial regulation. The dissertation can also be linked to a summer internship or vacation scheme project to be agreed upon with the programme director.
• The dissertation will be conducted under the supervision of a staff member with appropriate specialist expertise at the Law School or the Department of Finance.
• Students will offered the opportunity to attend 6 hours of online seminars on research methods and skills, which will cover research methods for law and finance.
• The dissertation may be up to 8,000 words (equivalent to 45 credits).

Content

• Dissertations may be presented on a topic chosen by the candidate provided that:
• The topic chosen generally falls within the streams offered by the MSc programme and is suitable for in-depth investigation.
• The programme director approves it.
• The candidate shall try to identify a topic for the Dissertation as soon as possible, but certainly before the end of the Epiphany Term. For general guidance, the candidate may consult any staff member responsible for the MSc teaching.
• A definite topic for the Dissertation and a provisional title indicating the precise subject matter and scope shall be submitted by the end of the Epiphany Term.
• The programme director shall formally approve the Dissertation topic and appoint a supervisor.
• Subsequent changes in the topic may be approved by the programme director if the candidate so requests, reasonable grounds being shown.
• The dissertation and the research process:
• Students will be required to access online seminars covering the process of planning a research project, ethical issues, access to resources and databases, and research methods in law and finance.
• Students will be required to engage periodically with their assigned supervisors and submit parts of their draft dissertation for comments.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module, students should demonstrate:
• Detailed and advanced knowledge of a specified field of law, regulation, finance theory or a combination thereof chosen by the student and approved by the Director of the programme;
• Detailed and advanced knowledge of the academic literature, laws, regulatory frameworks and other aspects relevant to the topic of the dissertation
• Good knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods in law and finance and, when applicable, good knowledge of data collection and analysis tools.

• Ability to identify accurate material relevant to the issues selected, including academic literature, legislation, case studies, datasets, and other sources relevant to the analysis.
• Ability to plan and investigate a theory or argument in the context of a particular area of financial law, corporate law, financial regulation, or finance theory.
• Ability to critically analyse and evaluate an aspect of current law, practices, or regulations in the light, where this is appropriate, of internal considerations (such as inherent inconsistencies) and external considerations (social, political, moral and commercial pressures).
• The ability to offer a personal and justifiable opinion on the effectiveness of specific laws relating to the dissertation topic and the desirability for their reform and to recognise and understand competing arguments on reform;
• The ability to choose the appropriate research method for the analysis of the issue object of the study and, when applicable, use appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods
• Ability to collect data, measure and analyse, interpret, and present results.

• Written communication
• Planning, organising and time management
• Problem-solving and analysis
• Understanding ambiguous and indeterminate contexts
• Reflecting and synthesising from experience
• Analysing laws, facts, or data using appropriate qualitative and, when appropriate, quantitative methods
• Numeracy
• Computer literacy
• Critical thinking

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

• Every supervisor shall meet with their supervisee to agree on the structure of the dissertation and approve the bibliography.
• The candidate may meet the supervisor on no more than three occasions.
• The purpose of the meetings shall be one or more of the following:
• to review and discuss the structure of the dissertation
• to give general guidance as regards the subject matter, scope and content of the proposed study.
• to propose variations, amendments and necessary changes to the topic outlined;
• to indicate appropriate legal sources and materials;
• to resolve particular difficulties encountered by the candidate;
• to offer editorial comments on draft parts of the dissertation
• The candidate shall assume full responsibility for the progress and completion of the dissertation within the stipulated time limit set by the Department.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

■ 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