Module LAW3020 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
LAW3020: Family Law
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
This module aims to provide both research-enriched learning and teaching by academics actively engaged in research which has been used by family law policy makers and links to family law practice, where members of the teaching team practise as and/or engage regularly with family practitioners. Where possible the module includes judges as visiting speakers and judge shadowing opportunities.
It aims to enable students to analyse critically the legal and policy framework for family law and to engage in an assessment of the effectiveness of the current family justice system.
It aims to facilitate debate on proposals for reform of the law regarding the regulation of partnering and parenting at a time when the traditional family is in decline and out of court resolution of family law disputes is being invested in by government.
It aims to encourage students to explore socio-legal research in this area, undertaken by family law specialist academics at Exeter and elsewhere.
It aims to help students develop their oral and negotiation skills in workshops and to expose them to mediation and other styles of conflict resolution procedures.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. describe and critically evaluate the legal framework and central principles governing adult couple/domestic relationships and parent/child relationships within English family law 2. demonstrate awareness and understanding of current developments in law, policy, feminist critiques and human rights involved in family regulation within national and international legal frameworks and the impact of socio-legal research in this area. 3. demonstrate understanding of how family law and the family justice system operate both for adult family relationships and parent/child relationships. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of legal concepts, values, principles, institutions and procedures, and the ability to explain the relationships among them 5. demonstrate ability to apply legal knowledge to a problem/ case study and to discuss it 6. demonstrate ability to identify key elements of legal problems, identify their relative significance and select appropriate methods for investigating and evaluating them |
| Personal and Key Skills | 7. effectively use both written and oral communication skills in assessed work and workshops. 8. confidently tackle legal problems by means of a practical problem solving approach in role-play situations, demonstrating effective debating and negotiating skills. 9. demonstrate good library-based and internet-based research skills. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| One essay/assignment plan to be handed in by week 6 Autumn/Michaelmas Term | 1,000 words max | 1-7, 9 | Written feedback + verbal feedback on request |
| Workshops involving problem solving questions and topics for discussion and debate. | 6 x 1.5 hour Workshops | All | Verbal feedback |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closed note exam (end of year) (50%) | 50 | 2 hour 15 minutes | 1-7, 9 | Written feedback + verbal feedback on request |
| Essay/written assignment (50%) (week 2 Spring/Lent Term). | 50 | 3000 words | 1-7, 9 | Written feedback + verbal feedback on request |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hour 15 minute closed note exam (50%) | 2 hour 15 minute closed note exam (50%) | 1-7, 9 | August/September assessment period |
| 3,000 words essay/assignment (50%) | 3,000 words essay/assignment (50%) | 1-7, 9 | August/September assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
If both the examination and the essay were failed, the student will retake a 3 hour exam which will be capped at the pass mark of 40%
