Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027

Module LAW3032: Dissertation (Senior Status)

Department: Law

LAW3032: Dissertation (Senior Status)

Type	Tied	Level	3	Credits	40	Availability	Available in 2026/2027	Module Cap		Location	Durham

Tied to	M105

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combination of Modules

None

Aims

To enable students to pursue a topic of interest to them which does not feature in the taught curriculum, or to pursue a topic already encountered but at greater depth than is possible within the confines of a taught course.
To significantly enhance students' developing legal research skills.

Content

A topic chosen by the student.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Demonstrate a sound understanding of the principles of the topic under investigation.
Demonstrate a sound understanding of primary and secondary sources in their subject area.

Subject-specific Skills:

Critically analyse and evaluate an aspect of current law in the light, where this is appropriate, of internal considerations (such as inherent inconsistencies) and external considerations (social, political, moral and commercial pressures).
Distinguish between primary and secondary sources in their subject area and to give them appropriate weight in their research.
Plan and investigate a theory or argument in the context of a particular area of law.

Key Skills:

Organise their exposition of the law in a rational and coherent manner.
Provide a balanced and succinct discussion.
Provide a well-considered conclusion to the issues presented for discussion.

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

Teaching will consist of four lectures and supplementary information provided through an online platform.
Learning will be facilitated by student-supervisor interaction in meetings.
Students will be given formative feedback on their plan and working bibliography and on a sample chapter in order to assist the student in focusing accurately on the subject under investigation.
Dissertation supervisors will provide ongoing support and guidance as appropriate.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours	Attendance Monitored
Lectures	4	One each in Epiphany Term and Easter Term of prior year, one each in Michaelmas Term and Epiphany Term	1 hour	4
Supervision Sessions	1	Easter term of prior academic year	30 minutes	0	Yes ■
Supervision Sessions	4	Regular sessions with the dissertation supervisor	30 minutes	2	Yes ■
Preparation and Reading				394
Total				400

Summative Assessment

Component: Dissertation		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Dissertation	12,000 words	100%

Formative Assessment:

Plan (max. 1,000 words) and working bibliography - by week 1 of the final year; First supervision meeting of the final year - in weeks 2-3 of Michaelmas Term; Final title and completed version of the Durham Ethics and Data Protection Form – by week 9 of Michaelmas Term; Sample chapter (max. 4000 words) - by week 1 of Epiphany Term; Final supervision meeting - in weeks 7-9 of Epiphany Term.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.