Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW1004: The Law of Contract

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to provide you with knowledge and understanding of different aspects and general principles of English contract law. To this end, the module gives you an overview of the requirements for the formation of contract, consideration, terms, interpretation and enforceability of contract, vitiating factors, damages and other remedies.  In particular, the module aims to enable you to:

(a) develop knowledge and understanding of the general principles and traditional approaches of English contract law and compare them with alternative models and techniques;

(b) develop independent thinking and think practically in this field, and apply the legal rules and principles you have learned to specific situations;

(c) develop the ability to identify and analyse problematic issues within the law of contract; and

(d) gain an analytical and critical approach to contract law and an awareness of social, policy and other issues that can impact on contractual relations, including fairness, inequality of bargaining power and public policy.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the law on the topics covered on the module, using appropriate concepts, interpretative techniques and terminology;
2. identify and analyse (with guidance) the general concepts and principles relating to contract law, together with related theories and academic commentary;
3. research a legal question and demonstrate competence in applying contract law in order to formulate and evaluate a response to it;
4. demonstrate competent understanding of some of the relevant legal practice, social, economic, political, historical, philosophical, ethical and cultural contexts within which contract law operates;
Discipline-Specific Skills5. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of legal rules, concepts, values and principles, and the ability to explain and discuss the relationships among them;
6. make an informed judgement about the merits and relevance of particular information and make reasoned choices between alternative solutions or arguments;
7. communicate technical legal information and argument effectively and concisely, in a manner appropriate to the discipline;
Personal and Key Skills8. take responsibility for own learning (with support), and to work effectively with others within a group, meeting obligations to the other members of the group;
9. identify, retrieve and use efficiently a range of resources with some guidance;
10. manage time efficiently in preparing for learning activities and to work independently within a limited timeframe to complete a specified task.