Student Handbook Graduate Diploma in Law CAMPUS DELIVERY 2015/2016 Course Leader: Laura Hughes
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Student Handbook Graduate Diploma in Law CAMPUS DELIVERY 2015/2016 Course Leader: Laura Hughes Lancashire Law School UCLan Mission statement WE PROMOTE ACCESS TO EXCELLENCE ENABLING YOU TO DEVELOP YOUR POTENTIAL We value and practise equality of opportunity, transparency and tolerance. We strive for excellence in all we do: locally regionally, nationally and internationally. We work in partnership with business, the community and other educators. We encourage and promote research innovation and creativity. Student Charter The Student Charter has been developed by the University and the Students’ Union so that students gain the maximum from their UCLan experience. It is a two-way commitment or ‘contract’ between the University and each individual student. It acts as a means of establishing in black and white what students can expect from the University and the Union in terms of support, and in return what we expect from our students. Read the full Student Charter Supporting Diversity at UCLan UCLan recognises and values individual difference and has a public duty to promote equality and remove discrimination in relation to race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. During your time at UCLan we expect you to be able to • experience "an integrated community based on mutual respect and tolerance where all staff and students can feel safe, valued and supported." • contribute to creating a positive environment where discriminatory practices and discrimination no longer happen. Please review the UCLan Equality and Diversity Policy for further information. Contents 1. Introduction to the course 2. Structure of the course 3. Approaches to teaching and learning 4. Student support, guidance and conduct 5. Assessment 6. Course Regulations 7. The Student voice 8. Appendices 8.1 Approved programme specification 8.2 Course assessment regulations 8.3 Coursework Regulations 8.4 Seminar Regulations 9. Fee Information 1. Introduction to the course Welcome to the course Welcome to the)/Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) [Common Professional Examination (CPE)] at the University of Central Lancashire. The course is taught within Lancashire Law School. In addition to the GDL course the Law School is responsible for many other courses including the LLB law degree, a full and part-time Legal Practice Course and several Masters programmes. All staff within the Law School wish you a happy and successful time with us. The GDL is approved and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. This handbook is designed both to familiarise you with the salient features of the course from the outset and also to serve as a point of reference if questions subsequently occur to you about e.g. examination regulations, addresses for the Legal Practice Course or other such matters. It cannot of course answer all the questions that you might have and your tutors are willing and keen to provide further advice wherever necessary, but it will hopefully provide you with most of the basic information you need and enable you to proceed through the course in an informed rather than confused or arbitrary way. If you need to know any additional information, please ask, and I will do my best to help you. Laura Laura Hughes Course Leader The aims of the GDL are to: To facilitate entry of non-law graduates into professional employment or research with a range of relevant critical-evaluative skills and aptitudes for life-long learning that demonstrate a capacity for independent thought and initiative, self-motivation and reflection, and cooperative and responsible working To equip non-law graduates with a range of transferable academic, intellectual and legal skills and knowledge developed through contextual and critical approaches to the acquisition of knowledge of the 'Foundations' of English Law, including its relationships with the European Union To facilitate student learning through the use of innovative teaching methods underpinned by scholarship and research and delivered within a supportive, student- centred learning environment To facilitate entry of non-law graduates into the vocational stage of legal training to be either a solicitor or barrister Learning Outcomes of the GDL: 1. Learning Outcome Students successfully completing the programme will be able to:- A. Knowledge and Understanding A 1. Students should have knowledge of the principal features of the English legal system, including general familiarity with its institutions and procedures A 2. Students should have knowledge and understanding both of the overall concepts, principles, rules and values, and also of particular aspects in depth of the Foundations of English Law which are: Constitutional Law, Contract Law, Equity and Trusts, Land Law, European Union Law, Tort Law, Criminal Law A 3. Students should have an in depth knowledge and understanding of the overall concepts, principles, rules and values of one other area of law of the students own choosing beyond that offered by any of the foundation modules, as the topic for independent research. A 4. Students should be able to demonstrate an insider’s understanding of how law fits together and operates B. Subject Specific Skills To be able Β 1. to identify, locate, digest and interpret both primary and secondary legal sources Β 2. to critically evaluate legal concepts and rules and to apply them in the legal analysis of actual and hypothetical problems Β 3. to read and critically analyse large amounts of written information and to select the parts most relevant to the issue or question being addressed. Β 4. to synthesise apparently diverse and conflicting legal authorities and policy arguments identifying erroneous authorities and arguments and explaining reasons for rejection. Β 5. to solve legal problems by identifying and retrieving up-to-date legal information using paper and electronic sources Β 6. to undertake effective research and solve legal problems in an area not previously studied. C. Thinking Skills Students should be able to show an ability to analyse, synthesise, critically judge and evaluate by C 1. Recognising and ranking items and issues in terms of relevance and importance C 2. Bringing together information and materials from a variety of different sources C 3. Producing a synthesis of relevant doctrinal and policy issues in relation to a topic C 4. Making a critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments C 5. Presenting and making reasoned choices between alternative solutions Students should be able to show an ability to learn and autonomy in learning by C 6. Acting independently in planning and undertaking tasks in areas of law which have been studied C 7. Being able to undertake independent research in an area of law which has not previously been studied starting from standard legal information C 8. Reflecting on their own learning and making use of feedback D. Employability and Personal Development Students should be: D 1. Able to engage in academic debate in a professional manner D 2. Able to use a range of formats, mainly written, to present specialist material D 3. Able to write fluent and complex prose, using legal terminology correctly D 4. Able to read a range of complex works within and about law and to summarise their arguments accurately D 5. Proficient in the use of word-processing; standard library and information retrieval systems, and www resources D 6. Able to specify technological tools needed for personal support D 7. Able to work both independently and with others and to participate constructively in the resolution of problems and clarification of issues through group discussion D 8. Able to reflect on their own learning and to seek and benefit from feedback from others The Graduate Diploma in Law is a one year full time, two years part time, course which gives students with a non-law or overseas degree, an opportunity to convert their degree to a legal diploma. This enables students to continue on to the professional stage of legal training. Course Team The Graduate Diploma in Law is administered by the Lancashire Law School. Course Leader The Course Leader, Laura Hughes, is responsible for the day to day running of the course. Subject Leaders There is a Subject Leader for each core module and for skills and the independent legal research project. Each Subject Leader ensures compliance with the GDL Outcomes. Together with other staff teaching the subject, they set and mark the subject assessments for their subject. Academic Advisor You are assigned an Academic Advisor (who is normally the Course Leader) at the outset of the course. The Academic Advisor will endeavour to provide an approachable and sympathetic contact for her personal tutee. Academic Advisors will be expected to meet regularly with their student tutees throughout the duration of the course (such meetings must not be less than 2 a year). The Academic Advisor's functions include:- Providing guidance according to your individual requirements. This may relate to personal difficulties, to academic matters or to wider issues such as career progression and in each case will ensure that you are fully aware of the facilities available to students through the University's Student Services Section Providing practical direction and assistance where your academic progress is giving cause for concern. GDL TEACHING TEAM Course Leader / GDL Academic Advisor Laura Hughes Room Harris 258 Direct Dial No (01772) 893941 E-mail [email protected] (Also subject leader for Equity & Trusts) Subject Leaders Law of Tort Dianne Scullion