Module LAWM147 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
LAWM147: Patent Law
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The aim of the module is to provide you with an understanding of the development of patent law, and how this explains the operation of that law today. We will examine legislation, case law and academic literature to gain an awareness of how patent law is interpreted and perceived by various stakeholders. We will critically investigate the various patent law systems in Europe, the various courts that decide on these issues, and how they interact with one another. Finally, we will use our knowledge of the patent system to analyse long-standing and contemporary issues related to the patent system, such as access to medicines, the treatment of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the patentability of biotechnological inventions. The course is designed to make you think critically about the function of patent law within society, so that you can consider the broader cultural complexities involved.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate deep and systematic knowledge and understanding of the law relating to patents and an extensive range of major concepts, values and principles relevant to its application; 2. undertake complex critical evaluation, comparing, analysing and synthesising the principles, rules and theories relating to the scope of protection of patent rights, using specialist literature and current research. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. demonstrate detailed and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a range of legal concepts, values, principles, institutions and procedures, and the capacity to evaluate systematically the relationships among them as well as their limits; 4. apply detailed and comprehensive legal knowledge and understanding to a problem/issue, argue alternative approaches and propose considered solutions. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 5. demonstrate effective and accurate written communication skills, relying on a broad range of resources, engage in debate effectively and confidently, and develop complex arguments and opinions, all with limited guidance; 6. work independently and effectively, and manage your time efficiently in preparing for scheduled learning activities and assessments. |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Feedback forms and where necessary oral discussion with the student |
| Individual presentation | 5 minutes | 1-6 | Written feedback and oral discussion |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 100 | 5,000 words | 1-6 | Written feedback and an opportunity, where necessary, for oral feedback/guidance |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (5,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September re-assessment period |
