LLB LAW M123 WITH AMERICAN LAW STUDENT HANDBOOK ACADEMIC YEAR 2018/19 - The UEA Portal
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LLB LAW M123
WITH AMERICAN LAW
STUDENT HANDBOOK
ACADEMIC YEAR 2018/19
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
2 CONTENTS CLICK TO SKIP TO SECTION FINDING INFORMATION FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND UEA LAW SCHOOL ACADEMIC TEAM SCHOOL CONTACTS OTHER IMPORTANT CONTACTS ACADEMIC YEAR DATES 2018/19 ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE THE M123 LLB DEGREE PROGRAMME YEAR ABROAD PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION HOW WILL YOU LEARN? ASSESSMENT STUDENT SUPPORT EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES PLAGIARISM AND COLLUSION IF THINGS GO WRONG UEA LAW CLINIC LEGAL COMPETITIONS EMPLOYABILITY AND CAREERS UEA AWARD EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDANCE Please note that whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the information in this Handbook is accurate, it must be read as subject to change over the coming year. The Handbook is intended as a guide only. Full reference should be made to the University’s web pages for the full rules and regulations and updated information. LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
3 FINDING INFORMATION Finding the information you need quickly is important to help you make the most of your degree programme and your time at UEA. This section of the handbook provides some pointers to finding your way around the information- pool at the University. You do not need to commit the contents of this Student Handbook to memory, but you do need to know what it contains so that you can refer to the handbook when you need to. The UEA Portal Campus computer workstations are set up so that the home page of the web-browser defaults to the UEA Portal. The portal is a gateway to University information Here are some of the things you will find on the portal: • University news and systems announcements • Blackboard • Evision (Your timetable) • Your email account • Your student record and assessment record • Module enrolment & Course Profile information • The name of your Adviser • Student Support Service • Library • Student Hubs • MyCareerCentral • IT Services • and more... Blackboard You can access Blackboard (Learn) via the UEA Portal. There is one site for each module you are enrolled on, which will contain important module information and materials, such as seminar question sheets. In addition, under ‘My Organisations’ you can find the Learning and Teaching Service Blackboard site. Here you will find general information about the Arts Hub including announcements, handbooks and regulations. Standard request forms can also be located here. LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
4
FINDING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
Law Student Information (Blackboard Site)
The ‘Law Student Information’ Blackboard site is designed
to provide a central resource for important school
specific information including:
• Course Announcements
• Programme Handbooks & School Policies
• Induction - Preparatory Materials
• Careers & Employability Overview
• Staff, Student Liaison Committee (SSLC) Information
• School Contact Details
You can access the site via ‘My Organisations’ on the
Blackboard homepage.
Law School Website
The School has its own website.
Visit us at: www.uea.ac.uk/law
The website includes information on:
• Undergraduate Degrees
• Scholarships and Funding
• Academic Staff and their research interests
• Support Staff contact details
• Research carried out and published by members of
the school
• Careers and Employability
• UEA Law Clinic
• News and Events
• Further study at Postgraduate Taught or Research
level
Social Media UEA Central Handbook
Keep up to date with Law School research news, student The Central Student Handbook is accessible via the
events and successes via our social media channels. Student Portal.
Connect with the Law School on: Contents include:
/LawUEA • Key University Publications
• Degree Regulations
@uealaw • Information for Students on Taught Programmes
• Student Support and Advice
@uealaw
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
5
FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND UEA
Acronyms
Read the useful guide to UEA acronyms.
Schools
UEA is divided into Schools of study within a Faculty
structure. Each school is known by a 3-letter acronym
e.g. BIO - School of Biological Sciences; MED – Norwich
Medical School; LAW - School of Law
Floors
Once you have found your way to the correct building,
you need to understand how the different floors are
numbered. Most buildings on UEA main campus are
accessed via the pedestrian ‘walkway’.
The floor on which you enter from the walkway is floor 0
One (two) floor(s) below the walkway level is floor 01 (02)
One (two) floor(s) above the walkway level is floor 1 (2)
Rooms
All rooms are located by information in the order:
Building (3 letter acronym) floor, number
Example - for a lecture in SCI 0.31, directions are as
follows:
• Head along the walkway towards the entrance for the
Schools of Mathematics and Computing Sciences
• Enter the main foyer, you are on floor 0
• The entrance to lecture theatre SCI 0.31 is straight
ahead of you.
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
6 LAW SCHOOL ACADEMIC TEAM Each School has a Head of School who is responsible for the academic and strategic management of the School. The School’s Senior Adviser is responsible for the management of Student Advising System and the Director of Learning and Teaching is responsible for the academic quality of courses within the School. The School also has a School Manager with administrative responsibility. Who’s Who in the UEA Law School Head of School Andreas Stephan Deputy Head of School Polly Morgan PA to the Head of School Kaye Mackay Director of Learning and Teaching Claudina Richards Senior Adviser & Disability Officer Gareth Spark Chair of Board of Examiners Joe Purshouse Director of Employability and Internships Ellen Sweet-Escott & Tim Vickers Director of UEA Law Clinic Gareth Thomas Deputy Director of UEA Law Clinic Rob Heywood Plagiarism Officer Avidan Kent LLB Law Course Director Sabine Jacques LLB Law / ELS Course Director Claudina Richards LLB Law / American Course Director Gillian Daly School Manager Esther Palin (Mon-Wed), Annabel Allison (Thurs-Fri) How you can contact teaching staff Leave a message at Reception: This is based in Earlham Hall and the Receptionist will be happy to pass on any messages received. Staff offices: Staff offices are located in Earlham Hall. Staff will have office hours which they will communicate to their advisees and other students who wish to meet with them. It is best to book a time in advance by sending an email to the member of faculty you would like to speak to. LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
7
SCHOOL CONTACTS
Members of Faculty
Full details of the teaching and research interests of members of Faculty can be found on the School’s Website.
To call from outside UEA, dial 01603 59 and then the extension number.
Name Job Title Ext No. Room No. Email
Ali, Nada Dr Lecturer 1586 EH 0.16C n.ali@uea.ac.uk
Amodu, Tola Dr Lecturer 1846 EH 2.03 tola.amodu@uea.ac.uk
Banakas, Stathis Dr Reader 2518 EH 0.15 e.banakas@uea.ac.uk
Barnes, Lucy Dr Senior Lecturer 3121 EH 2.08 lucy.barnes@uea.ac.uk
Bernal, Paul Dr Senior Lecturer 1588 EH 1.03 p.bernal@uea.ac.uk
Daly, Gillian Ms Senior Lecturer 2525 EH 2.13 g.daly@uea.ac.uk
Deutscher, Elias Mr Lecturer 7623 EH 1.02 e.deutscher@uea.ac.uk
Edwards, Ian Dr Senior Lecturer 2653 EH 2.09 i.edwards@uea.ac.uk
Ellis, Eloise Dr Senior Lecturer 7618 EH 1.09 eloise.ellis@uea.ac.uk
Farah, Youseph Dr Senior Lecturer 1847 EH 0.16A Y.Farah@uea.ac.uk
Garner, Kristina Ms Lecturer 3509 EH 1.14 k.garner@uea.ac.uk
Gazzini, Tarcisio Professor 2521 EH 1.04 t.gazzini@uea.ac.uk
Gibbs, David Dr Lecturer 3755 EH 1.10 david.gibbs@uea.ac.uk
Hamilton, Michael Dr Senior Lecturer 7621 EH 0.16B michael.hamilton@uea.ac.uk
Harker, Michael Professor 2406 EH 2.06 m.harker@uea.ac.uk
Heywood, Rob Professor 2262 EH 1.11 r.heywood@uea.ac.uk
Hviid, Morten Professor 3457 TBC m.hviid@uea.ac.uk
Ives, Deborah Ms Senior Lecturer 3050 EH 1.08 d.ives@uea.ac.uk
Jacques, Sabine Dr Senior Lecturer 3255 EH 1.08 sabine.jacques@uea.ac.uk
Kent, Avidan Dr Senior Lecturer 2932 EH 2.11 avidan.kent@uea.ac.uk
Longman, Jacqui Ms Senior Lecturer 3049 EH 2.02 jacqueline.longman@uea.ac.uk
Mcconnachie, Kirsten Dr Senior Lecturer 1632 EH 0.16B k.mcconnachie@uea.ac.uk
Mc Cullagh, Karen Dr Lecturer 7617 EH 2.05 k.mcculagh@uea.ac.uk
Mead, David Professor 7620 EH 2.07 d.mead@uea.ac.uk
Mitchell, Gemma Dr Lecturer 2519 EH 2.11 g.mitchell@uea.ac.uk
Mollica, Viviana Dr Lecturer 3261 EH 2.03 v.mollica@uea.ac.uk
Morgan, Polly Ms Senior Lecturer 7622 EH 1.10 polly.morgan@uea.ac.uk
Peyer, Sebastian Dr Senior Lecturer 1851 EH 0.08A s.peyer@uea.ac.uk
Purshouse, Joe Dr Lecturer 1446 EH 1.08 j.purshouse@uea.ac.uk
Reichstein, Angelika Dr Lecturer 1587 EH 1.08 a.reichstein@uea.ac.uk
Richards, Claudina Ms Professor 2523 EH 2.16 c.richards@uea.ac.uk
Scharf, Nick Dr Lecturer 7619 EH 1.02 n.scharf@uea.ac.uk
Seriki, Hakeem Dr Senior Lecturer 3508 EH 2.26 h.seriki@uea.ac.uk
Skoutaris, Nikos Dr Senior Lecturer 3018 EH 2.03 n.skoutaris@uea.ac.uk
Spark, Gareth Dr Senior Lecturer 1447 EH 0.16D g.spark@uea.ac.uk
Stephan, Andreas Professor 2521 EH 0.10 a.stephan@uea.ac.uk
Sweet-Escott, Ellen Ms Senior Lecturer 3506 EH 2.04 e.sweet-escott@uea.ac.uk
Thomas, Gareth Professor 3195 EH 2.14 g.thomas@uea.ac.uk
Vickers, Tim Mr Senior Lecturer 7616 EH 2.04 t.vickers@uea.ac.uk
Watts, Selina Ms Lecturer 1558 EH 1.14 selina.watts@uea.ac.uk
Wu, Keren Dr Lecturer 3017 EH 0.16C keren.wu@uea.ac.uk
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
8
SCHOOL CONTACTS (CONTINUED)
Law School Administrative Staff
Name Job Title Ext No. Room No. Email
Thomas Kerin School Support Assistant 7563 EH 0.09 t.kerin@uea.ac.uk
TBC School Administrator 3533 EH 0.09 TBC
Kaye Mackay School Co-ordinator & HOS PA 2427 EH 0.09 kaye.mackay@uea.ac.uk
Esther Palin School Manager (Mon-Wed) 3456 EH 0.08b law.sm@uea.ac.uk
Annabel Allison School Manager (Thurs-Fri) 3456 EH 0.08b law.sm@uea.ac.uk
UEA Law School Contact Details
UEA Law School
Earlham Hall
University of East Anglia
Norwich, Norfolk
NR4 7TJ
Tel: (+44) (0)1603 597563
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
9
SCHOOL CONTACTS (CONTINUED)
Law Learning and Teaching Service (LTS)
The Learning and Teaching Service will be an important point of contact during your time at the university.
They will be able to help you with the following issues:
Coursework submission return and deadline extension
Welcome and induction programmes
requests
Examinations course tests and other assessments Allocation of Advisers/Advisees
Registration Regulations and Codes of Practice
Enrolment on modules Complaints and Appeals
Disciplinary processes - including fitness for study/practice
Student module and course records
and misconduct procedures
Notification of assessment marks, results and transcripts/
Attendance monitoring
diploma supplements
Initial queries regarding the administration of matters
concerning scholarships, bursaries, grants, council tax
Timetabling and room booking
exemption and issues concerning students time at the
university
Law Learning and Teaching Service (LTS) Administration Team
The ARTS Learning & Teaching Services Hub is open Monday to Friday from 0800–1800 hours.
Contact the Law LTS Administration team via:
• Email: hub.ug.law@uea.ac.uk
• Tel: 01603 597580
Find more information about the service on their website: www.uea.ac.uk/learningandteaching
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
10 OTHER IMPORTANT CONTACTS Student Support Service The Student Support Service offers support for students with disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health issues, financial concerns and can offer advice to those with complaints. Students can contact them on studentsupport@uea.ac.uk or extension 2761 Library All students will be given library training but over your time at UEA you may have questions about resources or requests for book purchases. Each school has a dedicated Academic Engagement Librarian. Our librarian knows all about the legal resources we have (both hard copy and online) and offers one to one appointments for students who need assistance. You can find contact information, along with guides for using some resources, by following the link ‘Subject Guide’ on your Blackboard homepage, and selecting ‘Law’. The library also runs a number of workshops which you can find on the library website. The library helpdesk can be contacted on 01603 592993 (extension 2993). Student’s Union Advice Centre The Union Advice Service provides an independent, free and confidential service open to all UEA students. Email: advicecentre@uea.ac.uk, Phone: 01603 593463, drop in sessions are also available. Finance Department In order to purchase certain items you may need to visit the Finance Department. • Cashiers (cashiers@uea.ac.uk) allow you to pay for small items. • Debtors (debtors@uea.ac.uk) will contact you for payment of your student fees amongst other items. CareerCentral CareerCentral is open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Students can drop in and speak to an advisor about how to make the most of what’s on offer - including part-time jobs, paid internships, volunteering, enterprise and more. Tel: 01603 593452, email: career.central@uea.ac.uk LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
11
ACADEMIC YEAR DATES 2018/19
Standard Academic Year Timetable
2018-19 Standard Academic Year
Autumn Semester 24 September 2018 to 14 December 2018
(Christmas break 15 December 2018 to 13 January 2019)
Spring Semester 14 January 2019 to 29 March 2019
(Easter break 30 March 2019 to 28 April 2019)
Spring Semester continues 29 April 2018 to 17 May 2019
Assessment period 20 May 2019 to 14 June 2019
Graduation 15 July 2019 to 19 July 2019
Academic Year Dates
All dates are approximate and based on previous years so may be subject to change.
You will be contacted with up to date information in due course.
Date
October 2018
Week 2 Deadline for amendment to Autumn Semester Enrolment
(for 2nd and 3rd year students only)
Week 5 Deadline for applications for individual arrangements (in respect of course
tests for undergraduate modules)
March 2019
Week 8 Publication of undergraduate examinations timetable
Week 10 On-line module enrolment begins
Week 10 On-line module enrolment closes
August 2019 Reassessment period
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law12 ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE Attendance and Absence Attendance is compulsory at all timetabled sessions. If you find that you are unable to attend, you must inform the University. To make this process easier for you, an online absence reporting system is available on evision under the tab ‘Absence’. Please visit the Learning and Teaching Service website for full details. If you do not attend, then you will receive an informal warning. If there are further absences, you will receive a formal warning, ultimately culminating in a referral to a university disciplinary committee. Your personal Adviser (see below) will discuss with you the reasons behind your absence and offer advice and support if you are experiencing any difficulties. It is important therefore that you use the absence reporting system online. Fitness to Study If there are concerns about whether or not you are well enough to study, the school may start the Fitness to Study process. This involves meeting with the student to attempt to identify the underlying causes of the reported behaviour or appearance or lack of engagement that have made the school concerned. The meeting will usually be chaired by the Head of School and may involve the student’s adviser or the senior adviser, a mental health adviser or counsellor, the senior resident tutor, or the university’s disciplinary officer. This enables the school to have a holistic picture of the situation. The student may, if s/he wishes, be accompanied by a friend, colleague or representative. You can find full details of the procedure on the UEA Portal. Your Personal Adviser Each student is allocated to a member of academic staff who will be their Adviser; we aim for you to have the same person for the entire time that you are studying on a programme. You are required to meet with your Adviser a minimum of three times during the academic year. More information about the advisee system can be found in the University Student Handbook for Taught Programmes and in the student support section of this document. The Director of Learning & Teaching Claudina Richards is the Director of Teaching and Learning for the School. As such, she has overall responsibility for the undergraduate curriculum, teaching and assessment. In some of these matters, Claudina is assisted by other members of faculty with direct day-to-day responsibility for the undergraduate programmes, admissions, welfare and exams. LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
13 THE M123 LLB DEGREE PROGRAMME Course Director: Gillian Daly The M123 LLB is one of three law degree programmes that we offer in the Law School. Your degree programme provides the opportunity for development of skills and the acquisition of knowledge that will enable you to pursue a number of options after graduation, including further study, vocational training or graduate level employment. Successful completion of this programme results in the conferral of a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) recognised by the professional bodies (the Law Society and the Bar Council). A QLD means that on graduation students wishing to prac- tice are able to start studying the one-year Legal Practice Course or the Bar Professional Training Course as the next stage before respectively entering a training contract to become a qualified solicitor or starting a pupillage to become a barrister. Course profile All modules offered by the Law School are worth 20 credits and, with a couple of exceptions, are of single semester duration. Credit is a measure, expressed in terms of University Credit Modules (UCU), of the amount of work attached to each module. 20 credits equates to 200 hours of “work”, face to face contact in lectures and seminars, private study and revision or coursework preparation. You are assessed on all modules that bear credit. 1st Year English Legal Process Autumn Core module required by Professional Bodies Legal Method Skills and Research Autumn Core module required by the Professional Bodies Constitutional & Administrative Law Autumn Core module required by Professional Bodies Law in Practice Year Long Module required by the Law School Principles of Criminal Law Spring Core module required by Professional Bodies Contract Law Spring Core module required by Professional Bodies 2nd Year Introduction to American Law Autumn Module required by the Law School Land Law Autumn Core module required by Professional Bodies Trusts Autumn Core module required by Professional Bodies Tort Spring Core module required by Professional Bodies US Constitutional Method Spring Module required by the Law School Module Choices Spring One option from a choice of approx. six 3rd Year Year Abroad at one of our partner institutions in the United States 4th Year EU Law Autumn Core module required by Professional Bodies Module Choices Autumn Two modules from a wide choice Module Choices Spring Three modules from a wide choice LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
14 YEAR ABROAD Academic requirements to go on the year abroad The third year of the degree is spent at one of our host institutions in the US. Due to the demands of studying on the year abroad in the US, you must perform to a specified standard in both the first and second year of your studies in order to remain on the LLB Law with American Law programme and to progress to the year abroad. In each of the first and second years, you must pass all modules and obtain an aggregate mark of at least 55%. The progression requirement in the first year must be met at the first attempt or after reassessment. The progression requirement in the second year must be met at the first attempt. Students who are referred to reassessment shall not be permitted to undertake a year abroad. If, in either year, you do not meet these requirements, the Regulations for Bachelors and Integrated Masters Awards, para 12.8.5 will apply: 12.8.5 - Where a student has not completed the Stage satisfactorily as specified above, the Board shall: (a) firstly consider the recommendations of the Extenuating Circumstances Panel in deciding whether a student may remain on the Course; (b) where there are no factors to be taken into consideration determine whether the student can be offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative Bachelors degree course for which the requirements have been met, subject to the agreement of the appropriate Course Director; (c) where a student has failed a module, offer the student the option of reassessment in any failed module in accordance with Regulation 12.5. 12.8.6 - The Board of Examiners may not offer the option of reassessment where a student has passed a module but has not met the higher progression threshold to continue on a Bachelors degree programme with a Year Abroad or in Industry, or the option of a Semester Abroad. Students who do not meet the requirements for progression on the Law American programme, but who do pass all modules, thereby meeting the progression requirements for the LLB Law degree (M100), will normally be permitted to transfer to that programme. Academic Misconduct Please note that any student found guilty of infringement of UEA’s academic code of conduct, including but not limited to plagiarism, collusion, or cheating may be required to transfer out of the Year Abroad Programme. LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
15
YEAR ABROAD (CONTINUED)
Year Abroad preparations
At the beginning of your second year, you will be asked to express your preference as to which university in the US you
would like to attend. The Law School currently has links with the following institutions:
Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, Alabama
South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas
Stetson University College of Law, Florida
Presentations on the institutions will be delivered by returning fourth year students and attendance is compulsory.
You can also consult the files kept in the UEA Study Abroad Office for further information and are recommended to
visit the websites of the institutions. If you have further questions, please contact the Course Director, who will assist
wherever possible.
Year abroad places will be allocated in the autumn semester of Year 2 in order of priority based on the overall
average mark obtained by each student in the first year assessments. Please note that the Law School’s institutional
partnerships are subject to change. UEA also has a limited number of places at each institution and cannot guarantee
that you will be allocated to your first or second choice of law school.
The UEA Study Abroad office produces a guide each year for outgoing exchange students. It will also organise events
during your second year to assist with preparations for the year abroad. Your attendance at these events is compulsory.
It is also recommended that you join the American Student Law Society as events organised by the society provide
an opportunity for you to meet your fellow students and for first hand knowledge of the year abroad to be passed on
from year to year.
EMERGENCY CONTACT DURING THE YEAR ABROAD
Your emergency contact in the Law School during your Year Abroad is Gillian Daly who can be contacted during
working hours via:
( g.daly@uea.ac.uk
* +44 (0)1603 592525
Outside working hours, UEA has a 24-hour emergency number:
( +44(0)1603 592222
The UEA Emergency number will assist you or will be able to contact the Student Support Services or Study Abroad
Office.
Samford University, Alabama
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law16
YEAR ABROAD (CONTINUED)
Requirements during the year abroad
During the year abroad, students must take a minimum of 24 credit hours at the US institution. This must include
a minimum of 12 credit hours in each of the two semesters. The course of study must be approved by the course
director.
PASSING THE YEAR ABROAD
All students must pass the Year Abroad.
A pass shall be awarded for satisfactory progress during the Year Abroad, on the following basis:
• Attendance at the agreed partner institution for one academic year;
• Assessment in the modules on which the student is enrolled at the partner institution, for the requisite number of
credits (see above);
• Achievement of the pass mark, as determined by the partner institution, for the assessment taken at the partner
institution. A student who fails one or more assessments but achieves an aggregate mark at or above the pass mark
of the partner institution shall be deemed to have passed for the purposes of the Year Abroad.
Students will be required to obtain a pass mark at the first attempt as reassessment is not generally available.
Where a student does not pass the Year Abroad, the Regulations for Bachelors and Integrated Masters Awards, para
12.9, will apply:
12.9 Stage Assessment for Stage Y (Year Out) for Bachelors Courses with a Year Abroad or Year in Industry
Where a student has not completed the stage studied abroad or in industry satisfactorily the Board shall offer the student
a reassessment opportunity where this is available. If it is not available, the Board shall offer the student the opportunity to
transfer to another Bachelors degree course if one is available or, alternatively, require the student to be withdrawn from the
University.
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law17
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
The Programme Specification sets out the aims and objectives of the course and gives details of the teaching and
learning methods and assessment strategies.
The underlying educational aims of the LLB degree are:-
• to provide a liberal and coherent education which encompasses a broad base of legal knowledge, and develops a
range of critical and analytical skills;
• to offer a choice of teaching modules which allows students to construct an education appropriate to their varied
interests and career intentions;
• to encourage an awareness of the role and relevance of law in broader social, economic, and political contexts;
• to engender an enthusiasm for research into legal and social issues;
• to furnish an opportunity to acquire and develop some of the skills necessary for lifelong learning;
• to allow students gradually to take responsibility for their own learning and personal development and to embed
the notion of reflective learning;
• to foster qualities such as self-reliance, independence (of thought), and initiative; and
• to expose students to the concept of “employability” and to equip them with the tools so that they might develop
their own career management skills.
As well as allowing you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the principles of English law in a variety of
areas, studying for the LLB will allow you to develop a host of other skills and abilities. Some will be very much focussed
on law (how to “read” and analyse a case), while others will be more general (structuring and planning a coherent
argument or giving a good presentation). Studying on the LLB is both developmental and incremental: in most cases
the skills you will be learning throughout the first year are reinforced across the teaching in that year, but are built
upon and refined in subsequent years alongside the introduction of new and different skills, abilities or approaches
that in turn are reinforced and strengthened in those years. For example, in the first year we would expect students
to be able to read a simple case and understand it (what it was about, what it decided), perhaps with some elements of
comment. In the second year, students should be able to offer assessments of the merits of cases, perhaps by looking
at their implications, and in the third year students should be engaging in much higher levels of analysis of judicial
reasoning, perhaps by seeing whether a case or decision achieves a given policy objective.
The Undergraduate Programme
All undergraduates follow a degree course. This is a programme of study leading to a formal University qualification –
in the Law School, an LLB – all identified by a course code. Each degree course is broken down into several modules.
These are self-contained blocks of study/teaching, which in LAW extend over one semester (bar the first year module
Law in Practice and final year Dissertation).
You can view details of each module via the Portal including descriptions of what will be studied, assessment methods,
the module organiser, and the timetable slot.
At the end of each module, and possibly during it, you will be assessed, which is the process by which your academic
work is marked and overall progress is monitored. Assessment methods for modules vary both within the University
and within the Law School. The School operates a range of summative assessment types, including wholly by course-
work (CW); wholly by examination (EX); as a project (PR); or by a combination of two or more of the following: course-
work, examination, project. WW modules include an examination whereas CP modules include a project and course-
work. In general, Autumn-semester modules are assessed by some form of CW or course test while Spring-semester
modules are assessed by means of exam (unseen, pre-release or open book). Where an Autumn-only module does
feature an exam, this will be held in May – along with all other exams (the University does not allow January exams).
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law18 PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION (CONTINUED) The pass mark for all undergraduate modules is 40%. Where a student fails a module he or she will usually be offered the opportunity to undertake a reassessment. Marks at reassessment are capped at 40%. It is possible to proceed through your degree or get an exit award if you have failed a limited number of modules, through the process known as compensation. If a student has achieved good marks in all of their modules except for one module, they may have achieved the requirements for a degree or progress to the next year without undertaking reassessment. A compensated module will be recorded on the students’ marks statements and transcripts with a grade of ‘compensated pass’ next to the achieved mark. Different regulations apply for finalists and continuing students. Further information can be found on the UEA Portal. Compensation will not be allowed in any module designated as core (those that must be passed to meet the learning outcomes of the course). A list of core modules can be found on page 13. Read the UEA regulations for awards. You should be aware of the rules on QLDs and Solicitors Regulation Authority Exemptions, in addition to the University’s own rules on grades and pass marks. The Solicitors Regulation Authority requires a pass of 40% in the foundation subjects for graduates to be exempt from further academic study before taking the Legal Practice Course, unless a concession can be obtained in respect of one core module failed only (there are detailed rules surrounding this). LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
19 HOW WILL YOU LEARN? Teaching in the UEA Law School is done by a mixture of formal lectures, usually twice a week together with, in most cases for most modules, fortnightly two-hour seminars. However, different modules do operate different systems; many final year options use fewer lectures and rely more heavily on student-based seminars. Lectures Lectures are compulsory. It has been found that there is a direct correlation between non-attendance at lectures and poor academic performance. In the lecture you will be expected to listen and take notes; the lecture handouts cannot and do not cover all the material that you are required to know. Please note that exam questions can relate to material taught in a lecture that does not necessarily appear in the printed notes. Seminars and Workshops Seminars and workshops are compulsory; they are designed to consolidate knowledge and enable application of the material delivered in lectures. They are, therefore, an aid to revision and hence passing your exams. They are designed to be participative and, in almost all cases, you will have been provided with a “seminar reading sheet” beforehand. This would normally include reading – e.g. from textbooks, cases, and/or in academic articles – and some questions, both to be prepared in advance. Seminars are your opportunity to ask questions and clarify anything you do not understand. In every seminar, you will receive feedback by which you can measure your own progress and understanding, even if it is informal and unwritten, whether from your seminar leader or from your student peers. You must attend the seminar group to which you are assigned on your timetable. Formative work and feedback In all modules, you should be offered the opportunity of completing formative work – that is work that does not “count” formally towards the assessed mark for that module. The form this takes will vary according to the choice of the module organiser but you should ensure that you undertake the task. Formative work is one important means by which you will obtain feedback on your progress (your understanding, your abilities) so as to allow you to work towards the summative assessment (which does “count”). This is sometimes referred to as “feed forward” as comments are intended to help you improve future work. You may not be given a mark or may be given a mark within a broad band (“decent 2:1 essay”) alongside comments, or the feedback may be given verbally. Both formative and summative coursework is returned to students. It is School policy for students to receive a “feed- back” sheet for summative coursework, with comments directed at the various criteria for that piece of assessed work. The UEA Learning Enhancement Team offers a range of ways to help you study more effectively and improve your work. The tutors provide expert guidance on: • study skills • academic writing, including use of English; and • any mathematical and statistical parts of your course. They offer free and confidential drop-in and tutorial appointments. They also run workshops and offer a wide range of study guide materials. They are available for all students registered on UEA courses. LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
20 HOW WILL YOU LEARN? (CONTINUED) Students with specific learning difficulties The Student Support Service offers one-to-one help for students with specific learning difficulties, both for initial diagnosis and as ongoing support. If you need ‘reasonable adjustments’ for a disability (such as material on coloured paper), the Service will identify those and, if you consent, share that information with the School. To find out more: Telephone: 01603 592761 Email: studentsupport@uea.ac.uk Website: https://portal.uea.ac.uk/student-support-service LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
21
ASSESSMENT
The UEA Law School uses a variety of summative assessment methods, thus allowing students to perform at their best
and thereby to maximise their opportunities for progression and successful completion. In addition, every semester
students should be offered various opportunities to submit formative coursework (see above).
When undertaking any piece of assessment, you should be aware that you will be assessed by reference to the extent
to which your answer meets the following criteria:
1. The attainment of learning outcomes and a high level of scholarship;
2. Understanding of the subject, identification of relevant issues and the application of substantive subject knowledge
to the question asked;
3. Capacity to critically analyse and formulate logical and sustained arguments;
4. Ability to illustrate and justify arguments and conclusions by reference to appropriately chosen source material;
5. Clear and accurate expression. In the case of coursework, writing concisely to the word limit, with the use of ap-
propriate and consistent referencing.
6. Clear and logical standard of presentation, demonstrating an ability to structure and organise work in a coherent
way;
A mark of 70 or above denotes a first-class answer; a mark below 40 is a fail. The following criteria are used to deter-
mine the mark to be awarded in coursework or examinations.
Any Mark To obtain a mark in this classification, a Additionally, in the case of coursework:
candidate must:
80 or above • Demonstrate a very high standard of • Show evidence of an ability to extract, evaluate
critical analysis and understanding of and assimilate relevant information from a range
Exemplary relevant issues and concepts; of sources, including electronic sources;
standard • Produce a very coherent synthesis of • Show exemplary judgement in assessment of
ideas; evidence;
• Display a very high standard of insight and • A very high standard of presentation and written
intellectual vigour; English: clear, logical and with few errors.
• Show a depth of understanding directly • Accurate use of an appropriate system of
addressed to the question; referencing, to produce footnotes and a
• Use a systematic approach, developing a bibliography of a very high standard.
logical argument throughout; and
• Make sophisticated use of examples to
illustrate points and justify arguments.
70 – 79 • A high standard of critical analysis and • Show evidence of reading in the subject beyond
understanding of relevant issues and textbooks and lecture notes (where relevant);
Strong in concepts; • Show very good judgement in assessment of
most areas • Produce a coherent synthesis of ideas; evidence;
• Demonstrate critical thought; • A high standard of presentation and written
• Use good examples to illustrate points and English: clear, logical and with few errors.
justify arguments. • Accurate use of an appropriate system of
• Display no significant weaknesses in referencing, to produce footnotes and a
competence in the subject. bibliography of a high standard, though there
may be a number of small errors.
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law22
ASSESSMENT
Any Mark To obtain a mark in this classification, a Additionally, in the case of coursework:
candidate must:
60 – 69 • A good standard of critical analysis and • Display evidence of a well-selected range of
understanding of relevant issues and sources having been consulted (where relevant);
‘Good’ in concepts; • Show careful assessment of evidence;
most areas • Argue logically and organise answers well; • A good standard of presentation and written
• Demonstrate some good examples of English: clear, mostly logical, and errors are
critical thought; mostly very minor.
• Provide examples to illustrate points and • Accurate use of an appropriate system of
justify arguments; and referencing, to produce footnotes and a
• Display no really significant weaknesses in bibliography of a good standard, but possibly
competence in the subject. containing technical errors, some minor, some
more serious
50 – 59 • Satisfactory standard of understanding • Display evidence of a range of sources having
of relevant issues and concepts, but been consulted (where relevant);
‘Satisfactory’ balanced more towards a descriptive • Show some careful assessment of evidence;
in most rather than a critical, analytical treatment. • A satisfactory standard of presentation and
areas. • Some ability to argue and to written English: mostly clear, but with some
organise answers logically, but some minor inaccuracies and errors. Satisfactory use
inconsistencies, or unsubstantiated claims of an appropriate system of referencing, to
or insufficient development of ideas. produce footnotes and a bibliography. Some
• Express his/her answer in such a way that inconsistencies or instances of poor / limited
meaning is generally understandable; and citation may be present.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the material
provided in the basic texts and lecture
notes.
40 – 49 • Learning outcomes have been met to the minimum required level. Only adequate or partial
understanding of relevant issues and concepts
Satisfactory • Treatment of the topic is basic or superficial with no critical thought and/or limited attempt to
in some areas assess evidence.
but weak in • Student’s grasp of key concepts is weak. Arguments employed are not developed, or inaccurate,
some others. or irrelevant, or poorly evidenced (or a combination of these). In relation to an examination, only
a partial answer was provided.
• Barely satisfactory standard of presentation and communication. In the case of coursework,
citations present, but referencing poor. Many errors, some serious.
35 – 39 • Insufficient demonstration of learning outcomes to justify a pass grade. Failure to identify
relevant concepts or to demonstrate an understanding of the relevant concepts which have been
Barely identified, or candidate has misunderstood one or more of the questions.
satisfactory • Submission contains some material of merit, but is only a partial attempt to address the question
in a few areas or fails to answer the question in a robust manner, with few (and mostly unsuccessful) attempts
and weak in to construct arguments. No real attempt to assess evidence. Examples are poorly chosen and
most others. employed. Treatment is mostly descriptive.
• Illogicality, significant repetition, irrelevant content or serious errors or inaccuracies;
• In relation to an examination, only part of examination paper answered;
• Unsatisfactory standard of presentation and communication. In the case of coursework, citations
present, but referencing is very poor. Many serious errors.
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law23
ASSESSMENT
Any Mark To obtain a mark in this classification, a Additionally, in the case of coursework:
candidate must:
20 – 34 • Standard of scholarship and understanding of the topic significantly below that required for a
pass, with weaknesses in many areas.
Weak in most • Little material of merit or relevance, revealing a lack of understanding of the key issues or
areas. concepts. Failure to pursue any meaningful line of argument. Treatment is almost wholly
descriptive. Little evidence of engagement in the topic. Sources rarely go beyond paraphrasing
bits of lecture notes or easily accessible web sources.
• Very poor standard of presentation and communication, lacking sufficient clarity. In the case of
coursework, citations almost entirely absent. Many serious errors/inaccuracies.
10 – 19 • Weaknesses in all areas.
• Little of relevance and only slight evidence of understanding key concepts;
Very weak in • Complete lack of understanding of key issues or concepts. Fails to address all aspects of question
most areas. asked. Almost complete absence of evidence.
• Very poor standard of presentation and communication throughout.
0–9 • No evidence of learning anything from the module, although there may be elements of little
merit derived from common knowledge;
Very weak in • Answer presented in note form; and
all areas • Answer mostly incomprehensible.
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law24
STUDENT SUPPORT (WITHIN THE UEA LAW SCHOOL)
The UEA Law School recognises that:
• Students are a central part of the UEA Law School community who share many of the same concerns as staff;
• The success of any community depends in large part upon mutual respect and good communication;
• Close collaboration between staff and students at all levels is critical for the future success of the UEA Law School;
and
• An important element of the role of an academic is to provide assistance and guidance to students in order to help
them realize their full potential.
As a result, the UEA Law School is committed:
• To ensuring that all students are offered every opportunity to realise their potential;
• To the promotion of equal opportunities and sees no place for discrimination on any ground whatsoever;
• To the creation and maintenance of caring relationships between all members of the School;
• To fostering a tolerant and supportive atmosphere in which to engage in the study of law; and
• To ensuring that there is genuine communication over the whole range of its activities.
For undergraduate students, there are six ‘institutional’ mechanisms by which the UEA Law School strives to ensure
that the above commitments are met:
• The Advisee system
• The Senior Adviser with responsibility for undergraduate welfare
• The Staff/Student Liaison Committee
• Undergraduate Representation on the School Board
The Advisee System
The aim of the Advisee System is to promote each student’s academic and personal success, and to monitor their
academic progress, by making academic staff available to assist with developing their academic skills and to offer
advice on career and other issues. The Advisee System should also be seen as an integral part of the institutional
structure designed to foster good relations and a supportive atmosphere between faculty and students. Your adviser
is, therefore, the person you should consult in the first instance about your academic matters – such as the modules
offered by the UEA Law School – or about any personal matters.
All undergraduate students registered in the UEA Law School are allocated an adviser. The faculty member appointed
as adviser will remain your adviser as long as s/he is on the Law School staff during the time you are registered (unless
that adviser is granted study leave for a semester in which case you may be allocated to another adviser). Where a
faculty member leaves the UEA Law School permanently or temporarily, that faculty member’s advisees will be re-
allocated to other faculty members.
The adviser’s role is to assist each of you to reach your full potential as students through the development of a caring
relationship between you and your adviser. Your adviser’s role should be seen as a supportive one wherein the adviser
will make him or herself available to provide advice and/or guidance to you on matters both academic and pastoral.
Your adviser also acts as a link with the professional counselling services in the University such as the Student Support
Service Office.
You should feel able to raise and discuss matters freely and in confidence with your adviser – health or illness, problems
at home, financial worries – so that your adviser can advise or take action him or herself. You should also remember
that no member of the UEA Law School is trained in counselling in any form so your adviser may refer you on to one of
the specialist University-wide counselling services that are available.
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law25 STUDENT SUPPORT (WITHIN THE UEA LAW SCHOOL) It is University policy to meet with your adviser at least three times during the academic year and you are expected to initiate another meeting. You are expected to attend these meetings. Your adviser should also set aside times in the week when s/he is available to meet you. This may be done by appointment or as a ‘drop-in’ session. Outside these times, faculty advisers should be available to see their advisees by appointment at mutually convenient times. You should note that members of Faculty, in addition to teaching responsibilities, engage in many other activities. This might well mean that your adviser is not available in the UEA Law School at all times and on all days even by appointment. Outside of semester time (such as vacations and the exam period), you should always make an appointment by e-mail to see your adviser. The first meeting will take place early in the autumn semester. For new students, this meeting, as well as being an opportunity for you and your adviser to get to know each other, is an opportunity for the adviser to explain the role of the Advisee System and for you and your adviser to discuss any other issues of concern to you. In the case of returning students, this meeting should include a discussion of examination performance, overall academic performance during the previous academic year, and your plans for the forthcoming academic year. At this meeting, your adviser should inform you of how you can contact them so as to arrange any ad hoc meetings. The second meeting will take place in the first half of the spring semester. This meeting should include a discussion of the advisee’s academic performance in seminars during the previous semester and his or her performance in formative and summative assessment. The discussion will also be based on your own reflections and assessment of the previous semester at UEA. The third meeting will take place towards the end of the spring semester. This meeting should include a discussion of your academic performance in seminars over the year and your likely performance in the forthcoming examinations. When you need to choose optional modules for the next academic year, your adviser should, at this meeting, discuss your optional module choices with you LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law
26
STUDENT SUPPORT (CONTINUED)
The Senior Adviser
Each School has a Senior Adviser who has overall responsibility for matters related to undergraduate student welfare
within your School. The Senior Adviser for the UEA Law School is Gareth Spark.
The Senior Adviser is responsible for:
• All matters relating to undergraduate student welfare within the UEA Law School and reports to the Director of
Undergraduate Studies;
• Ensuring that the institutional mechanisms for ensuring good staff-student relations are in place and are properly
monitored;
• Keeping under review the existing institutional mechanisms;
• Setting the appropriate standards for pastoral care throughout the UEA Law School;
• Organising the induction programme for first year students;
• Organising and monitoring the operation of the Advisee Systems;
• Overseeing the operation of the ‘Buddy’ system;
• Familiarising him or herself with, and disseminating information within the UEA Law School, information about the
counselling and other welfare systems provided by the University;
• Liaising with the Student Support Service in relation to student welfare matters and representing the UEA Law
School on matters concerning student welfare within and outside the University;
• Reporting to the School Board and on student welfare matters;
• Chairing the Staff/Student Liaison Committee; and
• Writing academic references for those students whose adviser may have left the Law School and or unavailable.
You should always approach your adviser in the first instance if you need or would like advice on any matter – academic
or personal – but the Senior Adviser is available in an emergency. You should also approach the Senior Adviser or
Deputy Senior Adviser if you feel that there are problems or difficulties in the relationship that you have with your
personal adviser.
The Staff/Student Liaison Committee (SSLC)
The SSLC is the primary, formal mechanism for staff–student relations. The committee reports directly to the School
Board, emphasizing the importance of its role in the School. The SSLC is the main forum for the discussion of issues
of concern to students, and is the body through which the Head and School is able to consult students on matters of
policy and on issues relating to teaching.
Students’ views are important to the strategic development of the School and to the improvement of teaching
offered. In the past year, Student Representatives have had an important role in the formulation of School policy on
learning support materials and library provision. The committee is here to represent your views and for you to raise
issues that concern you. Any Law student, or student taking a module in Law from another School, can feed business
into the Committee via the Student or Module Representatives, or by contacting the Learning and Teaching Services.
Routine business includes consideration of the Teaching Director’s report on the questionnaires that you will be asked
to fill in at the end of each semester to comment upon the quality of teaching you have received. So, even if you do
not sit on the Committee itself you can still have a role in feeding student views into the School, by responding to
requests from Student Representatives for your views, and by completing the module evaluation questionnaires at the
end of each semester.
The membership of the Committee is as follows: The Head of School; the Senior Adviser; the Director of Learning
and Teaching; Course Directors; SU student representatives (elected in October) - an undergraduate from each year
and each course, a student from the GDL and at least one PG student from a research programme and one from each
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/law27
STUDENT SUPPORT (CONTINUED)
taught programme; UG and PGT Law Society presidents.
The terms of reference of the SSLC are as follows:
• Provide a clear channel of communication for students to raise issues for discussion with their Schools.
• Offer an opportunity for students to give feedback, both positive and negative, regarding their learning
experiences.
• Discuss matters of relevance to students and staff in the School, including formal documents such as the
outcomes from the National Student Survey, as well as, when appropriate, putting on record a summary of
informal discussions which may have occurred via other forums (e.g. module discussion boards and email).
• Enable External Examiners’ reports to be shared with students.
• Foster the development of close and constructive student/staff relationships.
• Allow (where possible) student contribution to future course developments.
• Report and make recommendations to the School Board.
SSLCs will take place twice per semester to ensure timely discussion and resolution of issues. Dates should be set in
advance by the School, at least on a semester basis to ensure full attendance. Ideally dates should be considered in
conjunction with those of the School Board, so that SSLCs meet before and feedback to the School Board in a timely
manner.
Student Representation on the School Board
In addition to the important advisory function played by the SSLC, student representatives sit on the School Board.
The School Board is the main decision making body of the School. All other School Committees make
recommendations to the School Board. These include Research Committee, Library and IT Committee, and the
Law Executive Committee. It comprises the Head of School (Chair), all members of the Law Faculty, an elected
undergraduate representative from each year, an elected postgraduate representative from the taught programme
and the research programme, and the undergraduate and postgraduate Law Society Presidents.
The Board meets twice a year on a Wednesday afternoon. Extraordinary Meetings may be called in addition to this if
the Head of School wishes to consult the School on business that cannot wait for an Ordinary Meeting. Occasionally
the Board may wish to discuss confidential and reserved business (as defined by the University), at which point Student
Members will be asked to withdraw.
If any student feels they have business to be raised at a Board Meeting, they should contact either the appropriate
Student Member or the Faculty Manager. The more appropriate route might be for the business to be discussed first
at SSLC.
Student evaluation of courses/modules
At various times during your UEA career you will be invited to give feedback on your experience of your course and
your modules through the completion of anonymous questionnaires. The information you provide is an important
part of the University Quality Assurance process, enabling Academic Staff to take student views and experience into
consideration when reviewing Modules and Courses as part of the annual Course and Module Update process. You are,
therefore, strongly encouraged to complete all questionnaires to help the School to continually improve the level of
provision for students. Staff do read and respond to the questionnaire replies and take action to amend courses where
students have raised sensible points or come up with constructive ideas.
Please note that comments in questionnaires which are sexist or racist are unacceptable, especially in a professional
environment in which students may wish to enter a regulated profession that requires that they have ‘good character’.
LLB (M123) Handbook www.uea.ac.uk/lawYou can also read
