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Introduction to Law & Society (Senior Status) - LAW00044I

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  • Department: The York Law School
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Amy Codling
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

The broad purpose of the module is to give you an opportunity to consider law in a variety of contexts (called 'topics'): to consider the broader, social, political, etc., impacts of law(s). On this module the essential questions we ask are: How does context shape law? How are different contexts shaped by law? And what is the nature of the relationship between law and society?

In this module you will also encounter a variety of different perspectives of law and the legal system. This will include ideas from Aristotle to Cicero, Hart and Fuller as well as Weber and Marx, through to more contemporary critical perspectives such as feminist legal theories, critical race theories and legal pluralisms. You will also be encouraged to consider the roles played by the various ‘gatekeepers’ of law, such as the police and the judiciary, and question the extent to which law is embedded within social structures including class, gender, race and ethnicity. In addition, you will work on developing your own research idea by completing a research proposal form, which you will receive some peer feedback on, before writing the essay on the context and perspectives of law and society of your choice.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

The MLOs for the ILS (Senior Status) module are as follows:

  • To provide students with a deeper knowledge and understanding of some of the fundamental principles of legal systems
  • To provide additional knowledge and understanding of the key institutions and personnel involved in law
  • To develop a critical understanding and evaluation of the role and function of law in society
  • To familiarise students with various perspectives and methodological approaches to the study of law and legal systems as well as the ability to point to and discuss the ideas of key thinkers
  • To develop and practise skills related to identifying, retrieving and discriminating among sources of law and sources of information relevant to law
  • To develop and practice skills related to synthesising and analysing a variety of information sources in order to develop further knowledge, construct arguments and draw conclusions supported by appropriate authority
  • To be able to add an element of creativity and self-reflection on the development of the students own knowledge and understanding as well as to transformations of law in society more generally

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module you should be able to:

  • demonstrate deeper knowledge and understanding of some of the fundamental principles of legal systems

This requires you to be able to describe key aspects of what is sometimes known as 'legal method', including the institutions which are responsible for making legal decisions, (for example, courts), the nature of and relationships between various sources of law and the personnel involved in the development and application of law. This can be approached from an international perspective on law.

  • demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of a variety of roles played by law in society

This requires you to be able to describe and evaluate relationships between law and the wider world; for example, how law does and does not protect human rights; how law ascribes responsibility; how law and legal institutions reflect broader social, political and philosophical positions.

  • identify various perspectives and methodological approaches to the study of law and legal systems

This requires you to be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of legal research methodology (including, for example, doctrinal and socio-legal approaches to legal research from a critical perspective), and to consider some of the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches.

  • identify, retrieve and discriminate among sources of law and sources of information relevant to law

This requires you to be able to undertake basic research of sources of law and sources relevant to law, and to understand the significance, authority and credibility of the sources in question.

  • synthesise and analyse a variety of information sources to develop further knowledge, construct arguments and draw conclusions supported by appropriate authority

This requires you to be able to develop arguments around issues involving law and to support your arguments with reference to relevant sources.

  • demonstrate an awareness of the significance of academic integrity and an ability to act with academic integrity

This requires you to understand and to act in accordance with some of the values which underpin scholarship and your responsibilities as a legal scholar and a member of a learning community, with particular reference to appropriately acknowledging the work of others on whose work you draw to support your learning.

  • demonstrate a positive contribution to the learning and development of your own critical thinking skills and those of others by regular attendance and active participation in the learning activities on the Introduction to Law & Society module

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
ILS (Senior Status) Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
ILS (Senior Status) Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Formative feedback is provided to students (i) via feedback during learning activities in plenary and workshop sessions and (ii) via peer feedback on research plans discussed in the final workshop session of the module.

Summative feedback is provided in the form of written comments provided in relation to the 2, 000 word essay submitted by students at the end of the module.

Indicative reading

Catherine Elliott and Frances Quinn, English Legal System (15th edn, Pearson Education 2018)

Phil Harris, An Introduction to Law (7th edn, Cambridge University Press 2007).

Anleu Sharyn Roach, Law and Social Change (2nd edn, Sage 2010).

Raymond Wacks, Philosophy of Law: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2014).


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.