LW1A05-General Introduction to Law

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Not open to students on any LLB degree.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: LW1SOC Law & Society LW1CRI Criminal Law and LW1LS Legal Skills
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Ms Sharon Sinclair-Graham
Email: sharon.sinclair-graham@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This is a ten week course which provides students with an introduction to the English legal system, the law of contract and some aspects of the law of tort. This module is delivered at ÌÇÐÄ̽»¨ and the ÌÇÐÄ̽»¨ Malaysia.

Aims:
To provide students with an introduction to the foundations of English law: the English legal system, the law of contract and some aspects of the law of tort.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• identify the sources and administrative structure of English law;


• demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of contract law;


• demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of tort law;


• display a familiarity with the basic techniques of statutory interpretation and rules of precedent;


• exhibit a basic knowledge of some fundamental legal rules and an ability to deploy these rules in solving rudimentary problems;


• formulate and evaluate simple legal arguments;


• show some ability to analyse the existing law critically.

Additional outcomes:
Students will develop research skills and computer skills in preparing for and completing computer-based exercises.

Outline content:

• The English legal system: court structure and the doctrine of precedent; statutory interpretation.


• Contract: formation of a contract; terms; misrepresentation, mistake and frustration; breach and exclusion of liability; remedies for breach of contract.


• The tort of negligence: the duty of care in respect of omissions, economic loss and misstatements; the standard of care; causation and remoteness of damage; defences.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching will be by lectures, and students will also learn through completing interactive computer-based exercises, with on-line feedback. Students will be required to supplement the knowledge they acquire from lectures by independent study, and will be able to evaluate their comprehension through the completion of the computer-based exercises.