| Unit name | Foundations of Law |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LANG00051 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | QCA-3 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Thornthwaite |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
IELTS: minimum 6.0 overall; minimum 5.5 in Writing component, minimum 5.0 in Speaking, Listening and Reading components, or equivalent. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Centre for Academic Language and Development |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
This unit will introduce you to the knowledge, skills and intellectual background of legal studies and prepare you for undergraduate studies in areas such as Law and Criminology. Viewing and interrogating the law through a critical lens opens up a breadth of perspectives, which will support different traditions of knowledge.
Specifically, you will develop an understanding of the UK’s legal system and its relationship with the EU, key concepts and sources of law, the law-making process and court system, and core legal sources such as legislation, precedent, statutory interpretation and how these relate to legal realities.
This is a lively and engaging unit, and besides the knowledge you develop, your confidence in expressing and debating ideas will be developed alongside your academic skills in writing, case law and research.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit contains important content from the disciplines of Law and Criminology. It explores theoretical concepts whilst also providing practical application to real world problems, which will be of relevance and applicable across your degree programme and future career path.
Applicants progressing to study Law are required to take the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT). This tests an applicant’s aptitude and potential to study Law and is used by the university as part of their admissions process.
LNAT workshops and targeted support are integrated across the main programme of study to support students with effective LNAT preparation. For further information, please visit the LNAT Website.
An overview of content
In this unit, you will be introduced to the historical, but also, the contemporary features of law and how it functions within society. The use of multiple narratives and case law will provide the foundations for critical thinking, legal reasoning and problem solving. The unit is brought to life through mooting, court visits where possible, and opportunities to interrogate law in a global context. This provides you with the skills and knowledge necessary to complete the LNAT and similar assessments, and to progress with confidence to the undergraduate study in areas such as Law and Criminology.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the un'it
The global outlook and intersectional analysis of the law will be integrated throughout the unit. You will be provided with the tools to engage with an intellectually demanding course that not only addresses key legal skills required for further study, but the unit will also inculcate a sense of student belonging and empowerment.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
Teaching is facilitated through weekly workshops. Classes are delivered interactively, using a combination of teacher input and student discussions. This means you should come prepared to ask questions, join in discussions and make notes. You may also have the opportunity to visit the law library and the courts, as well as attend presentations from guest speakers.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan:
Any student registered on the International Foundation Programme will be offered a conditional place on an undergraduate degree at the University of Bristol. Students must meet the entry requirements to be admitted onto an undergraduate degree at the University of Bristol. Different degree programmes may have different entry requirements. The IFP Board will review the mark profiles of all students who are close to attaining the entry requirements but are outside the previously agreed near miss criteria and may agree to admit them to a degree programme. If not admitted, students may be offered a further opportunity (i.e. two attempts in total) to meet the entry requirements for their intended degree programme at the University of Bristol by re-taking a relevant assessment. Marks are not capped for this purpose. If a student is absent or their performance in assessment is significantly affected due to extenuating circumstances, they may re-take the relevant assessment at the next appropriate time, without penalty.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. LANG00051).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
