Programme aims
- Enable students to form an advanced conceptual understanding of international commercial and business law, at the international, regional and domestic levels that is informed by insight based on scholarship at the forefront of the discipline.
- Set international commercial and business law in context, including the relationship between business and society, in particular business responsibilities to society.
- Enable students to understand the conceptual, theoretical and practical relevance of why and how business relationships are regulated by law.
- Give students the facility to develop critical, analytical and research skills, problem-solving skills, and transferable skills.
- Produce graduates capable of working in the field of private legal practice, ‘in house’ legal practice, public policy, regulation, enforcement, research, academia etc. Produce graduates who can conduct independent research and construct coherent, well-written papers.
- Produce graduates who can conduct independent research and construct coherent, well written papers.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Improve language accuracy and fluency to C1 level
A2: Recognise and use the appropriate lexical and discourse structures of their subject area
A3: Understand the concept and importance of critical thinking in an academic context
A4: Recognise and apply the fundamental doctrines and principles of the law as they pertain to the differing specialities of the modules taken.
A5: Understand the substantive issues of law necessary for the successful study of Law at Masters level.
A6: Demonstrate knowledge of the social, cultural, economic and political context in which the law develops.
Learning methods
A1-A5 are acquired through large group interactive classes, which encourage dialogue between the students and teacher and between the students, and through seminars which allow for dynamic interaction based on directed, pre-set reading. A1 – A5 are reinforced by the formatively assessed Foundation Essay and independent research for the dissertation.
Students are expected to undertake thorough and in-depth independent research for modules and, in particular, the dissertation, which involves the analysis of primary and secondary sources. They are required to submit research of high quality which involves not only a thorough analysis of law but also of the economic, cultural, political and societal actors which underpin it. The analysis will involve a variety of legal documents that range from national laws to international conventions and it is based on the referencing of a wide range of resources which include reports, articles, books as well as conference papers and national and international case law. The essays in question form an original piece of research and require a high level of skills. Students will also be tested on their understanding and knowledge in examinations for some modules, to showcase their ability to think on-the-spot without support of secondary material.
Assessment methods
A combination of assessment methods will be used. Testing the knowledge-base for A1 – A5 is through unseen examinations, take home examinations, module essays, the foundation essay and the dissertation.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Use language accurately and appropriately, using a variety of lexis, grammatical structure and communication strategies
B2: Demonstrate an awareness of the language and discourse structure of their subject area
B3: Synthesise information from a variety of sources with appropriate acknowledgement and integrate this into presentations or written work
B4: Create a structured argument based on appropriate research methods
B5: Develop the ability to be reflective and independent learners
B6: Develop the ability to organise their time in an efficient and effective manner
B7: Identify accurately the issue(s) which require researching.
B8: Apply relevant primary and secondary legal sources.
B9: Reason critically, identify, analyse, and solve problems.
B10: Recognise, rank and collate items and issues in terms of relevance and importance.
B11: Produce a synthesis of relevant doctrinal and policy issues in relation to a topic.
B12: Make a critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments.
B13: Present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions.
B14: Demonstrate and exercise independence of thought.
Learning methods
Skills B1 through B9 are obtained and developed through discussion groups and large group interactive classes where there is an emphasis on group discussion and practical problem solving (hypothetical and actual). B5 and B6 are also enabled through lectures. All skills are complemented by class-independent reading undertaken by students in the light of guidance by lecturers and discussion tasks. Intellectual and cognitive skills are also acquired through written and oral feedback on coursework. In addition, learning is enhanced by formative assessment of Skills B1 and B3. B7 - B9 are learned through in-class discussion.
In addition, the dissertation requires students to identify a precise research question, to apply primary and secondary legal and other relevant resources, to critically assess major legal questions and problems and to suggest solutions or take side in a debate. The analysis involves legal, political, historical, cultural as well as doctrinal matters and requires the students to make reasoned arguments which should be well-referenced in literature and jurisprudence. They are required to criticise the existing parties to major debates as well as to take sides and choose between contrasting views. The dissertation is a demanding piece of independent research which requires a high level legal analysis.
Assessment methods
A combination of assessment methods will be used, which will enable the students to demonstrate successful development of all B skills. Some modules will be assessed through unseen exams, take home exams, and some through essays. Independent working is also assessed through the dissertation (B9).
C: Practical skills
C1: Demonstrate a range of academic skills, including effective note-taking, summarising, paraphrasing and quoting, accurate listening skills and active participation in class discussion.
C2: Identify, select and gather information using relevant sources, including the library and online searches
C3: Read and evaluate sources critically and offer views based on evidence
C4: Present an argument in oral presentations; plan, draft and revise written assignments in an appropriate style, referenced according to academic conventions.
C5: Identify, select and retrieve up-to-date legal information, using both paper and electronic sources
C6: Use and apply legal terminology and legal concepts
C7: Plan and undertake tasks in areas of law already studied, and undertake independent research in areas of law not previously studied, starting from standard legal information sources
Learning methods
A precise use of legal terminology is at the centre of the relevant analysis. The students are required and taught as to how to analyse a field of law which is quite well researched in the past and yet to be able to submit an original piece of work; it involves their ability to criticise, analyse, compare, explain well-researched questions or aspects of law which are yet relatively unexplored.
Skills C1 and C2 are developed through preparation for seminars and the large group interactive classes, and through research for the Foundation Essay and Dissertation.
In addition to traditional research methods, students are expected to use the internet and legal databases when researching their assessed work in order to find primary and appropriate secondary sources, either in on-line or paper format.
Skills C3 and C4 are developed through seminars by way of the medium of problem solving and group discussion.
Skill C4 is particularly developed through the Foundation Essay and Dissertation.
Skills C1 - C4 are developed in seminars, large group interactive classes, and the Foundation Essay, which assessment reinforces their learning by students.
Inclusivity is achieved through the use of Moodle to communicate resources and teaching materials, through different styles of teaching and learning and through different types of assessment, for example through ‘open book’ essays and the dissertation.
Assessment methods
A combination of assessment methods will be used. Some modules will be assessed through exams and some through essays/problem questions. Skills C1 - C4 are assessed through summative take home exams, unseen exams, module essays, the foundation Essay and the Dissertation.
Inclusivity is achieved through the use of Moodle to communicate resources and teaching materials, through different styles of teaching and learning and through different types of assessment.
D: Key skills
D1: Communication - A fundamental aim of the course is effective communication in English; orally, through class participation and presentations, in writing and reading. Skills in the communication of arguments and ideas in a range of different contexts is a specific objective. Students must be able to write clear, concise structured reports. They must also be able to work with the English language proficiently in relation to legal matters and present knowledge or an argument in a clear, coherent and relevant manner.
D2: Information Technology - An ability to perform a variety of word-processing operations and to use the Internet for research. Students use PowerPoint for presentations and communicate with tutors by email e.g. sending drafts of work as attachments. Students are also required to use Moodle. Ability to locate and use on-line catalogues and databases.
D3: Numeracy - N/A
D4: Problem solving - An ability to identify and evaluate various source materials, to apply concepts and solve problems, and to work out objectives and priorities. Students should be able to apply knowledge and understanding in order to make judgements and offer solutions in a range of contexts and analyse a reasonably complex set of facts and apply relevant law thereto.
D5: Working with others - Pair and group work are an integral part of the course, and peer evaluation is also built in. There are opportunities for group projects in some modules.
D6: Improving own learning and performance - Students are encouraged to keep both learner diaries and records of their own learning and to work independently. Students should have the ability to work to briefs and deadlines; take responsibility for their own work; reflect on their own learning and performance and make constructive use of feedback.
Learning methods
Skills D1, D3 and D4 are acquired through seminars where students debate legal issues and problems, as well as the Foundation Essay, and the Dissertation.
Skill D3 will be developed, where necessary, in modules and assessments where students are required to read figures and statistics in the context of various empirical studies.
Skills D2, D4 and D5 will be gained in particular through the Foundation Essay and the Dissertation.
Skills D1 – D5 will be learnt through writing summatively assessed and formative course essays and take home exams, the Foundation Essay, and through the consequent feedback, both written and that obtained in oral sessions. Skill D5 is developed through continual oral feedback in learning and teaching sessions to stimulate self-reflection and personal learning development, including through researching and writing the dissertation.
Assessment methods
Skills D1 – D5 are assessed through essays, take home exams, unseen exams and the dissertation, including D3 where necessary.