Module LAW3047C for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
LAW3047C: Dissertation
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth independent study of a legal problem or topic of particular interest under supervision. The research project takes the form of library research and is expected to address a research question, and therefore is designed as a platform for you to demonstrate evidence of ability critically to evaluate primary and secondary legal materials and material from other sources as appropriate.
The Dissertation aims to provide evidence of your ability to produce in-depth analysis in a clearly structured extended piece of legal writing such as is found in academic legal and socio-legal journals. As such, the module is an excellent platform for students contemplating further study at postgraduate level, but also provides good evidence of an individual’s research skills, innovation, intellect, reliability and self-motivation.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Identify, define and construct a critical analysis of a discrete research topic in Law; 2. Identify and define key research questions and hypotheses about the chosen research topic; 3. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the selected legal issues acquired through independent research and study. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. Integrate and assess information from a comprehensive range of relevant legal materials; 5. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of a range of complex legal issues and their contextual implications, where relevant; 6. Evaluate critically the materials considered and used for the Dissertation. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 7. Plan and undertake tasks efficiently, to reflect critically on the learning process and to make effective use of feedback from the supervision process; 8. Work independently, to manage time efficiently and meet strict deadlines; 9. Develop and structure an argument over a sustained piece of writing and in an effective manner. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Students will be asked to select their field of study from a range of subject areas offered by staff, and then to agree an initial legal area / title to be taken forward with that supervisor. Having reached agreement with staff over supervision, students will begin an introductory research phase to narrow down and refine their field of study to a preliminary working title.
Students will meet with their supervisor on a mutually agreed basis (not less than three meetings per term) to plan and discuss their research, analysis and writing. Students will also be supported by specific teaching materials (which may include group workshops) for guidance and advice on: managing and structuring the dissertation; research using databases and library resources; preparing the Research Report (see below); referencing; and effective writing. Students will receive regular formative advice and feedback through the individual and group supervision activities.
Midway through the module, students will submit a Research Report (2,000 words). This work is summatively assessed and enables students to demonstrate and test their interim progress with their Dissertation. The Research Report will have a required format that will be clearly set out to students and which might include: a brief overview of the topic of the dissertation; placing the research area in its legal context; the central research issues considered in the paper; the research methodology; a brief review of the central literature and sources available in the field of study; reflections on particular challenges or problems with your research or the topic and how they may be addressed; some preliminary observations about your findings or possible conclusions; and an indicative bibliography of important sources and materials that will be referred to in your dissertation.
Thereafter, it is anticipated that students will focus on independently developing and writing up their Dissertation with support from their supervisor, group sessions and independent planning. Students will be expected to prepare their final submission as if they are submitting their work to a peer-reviewed journal and the assessment will include consideration of how the journal reviewers might consider the submission.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | 281 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 3 | Individual supervision meetings; the expectation being a minimum of three meetings each term |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 16 | 12 hours of training sessions on research preparation, skills and legal academic writing and two 2 hour facilitated peer support sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | 35 | Identifying and locating research materials |
| Guided Independent Study | 123 | Carrying out research, reading and taking notes |
| Guided Independent Study | 123 | Drafting and writing up |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discussion of research and analysis development through individual supervision meetings and in the context of group workshops | At least three meetings per term | 1-2, 4, 6-9 | Individual oral and/or written feedback from supervisor during supervision meetings as set out in the module handbook |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Report | 20 | 2,000 words | 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 | Written feedback sheet and individual meeting with supervisor |
| Dissertation | 80 | 10,000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback and (if needed), individual meeting with supervisor |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | Dissertation (10,000 words) (100%) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Students who fail the dissertation module will be required to submit a reworked paper on the same topic to reflect on and learn from the feedback they will have received on the dissertation as submitted at first instance.
