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LAW3022: DISSERTATION

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Tied
Level 3
Credits 40
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Law

Prerequisites

  • To satisfaction of Chair of the Board of Studies.

Corequisites

  • At discretion of Chair of Board of Studies, in the light of the chosen dissertation topic.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To enable students to pursue a topic of interest to them which does not feature in the taught curriculum, or to pursue a topic already encountered but at greater depth than is possible within the confines of a taught course.
  • To significantly enhance students' developing legal research skills.

Content

  • A topic chosen by the student.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Students should be able to:
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of the principles of the topic under investigation.
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of primary and secondary sources in their subject area.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Students should be able to:
  • Critically analyse and evaluate an aspect of current law in the light, where this is appropriate, of internal considerations (such as inherent inconsistencies) and external considerations (social, political, moral and commercial pressures).
  • Distinguish between primary and secondary sources in their subject area and to give them appropriate weight in their research.
  • Plan and investigate a theory or argument in the context of a particular area of law.

Key Skills:

  • Students should be able to:
  • Organise their exposition of the law in a rational and coherent manner.
  • Provide a balanced and succinct discussion.
  • Provide a well considered conclusion to the issues presented for discussion.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching will consist of four lectures and supplementary information provided through an online platform.
  • Learning will be facilitated by student-supervisor interaction in meetings.
  • Students will be given formative feedback on their plan and working bibliography and on a sample chapter in order to assist the student in focusing accurately on the subject under investigation.
  • Dissertation supervisors will provide ongoing support and guidance as appropriate.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures4One each in Epiphany Term and Easter Term of prior year, one each in Michaelmas Term and Epiphany Term 1 hour4 
Supervision1One in Easter Term of prior year 30 minutes0.5Yes
Supervisions4Regular sessions with the student's dissertation supervisor30 minutes2Yes
Preparation and ReadingIncludes time for review of materials provided online in support of lectures 393.5 
Total400 

Summative Assessment

Component: Dissertation Component Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Dissertation 12000 words100No

Formative Assessment

Plan (max. 1,000 words) and working bibliography - by week 1 of the final year; First supervision meeting of the final year - in weeks 2-3 of Michaelmas Term; Final title and completed version of the Durham Ethics and Data Protection Form by week 9 of Michaelmas Term; Sample chapter (max. 4000 words) - by week 1 of Epiphany Term; Final supervision meeting - in weeks 7-9 of Epiphany Term.

More information

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