Module: Introducing Law

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Introducing Law
Module Code	LG142 (ITS) / LAW1010 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Law & Government
Module Co-ordinator	Tanya Ní Mhuirthile
Module Teachers	James Gallen
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only
Repeat quiz, alternative case upon which to write the essay/casenote, requirement to submit a video presentation as is relevant

Description

: This module introduces students to important legal concepts and guides students on how to find, use, and understand key legal sources. The module equips students with important research skills that are fundamental in conducting legal research. It also focuses on developing essential transferable skills that will enable students to write, cite, and present legal arguments with clarity. On completion of the course, students will be equipped with essential research skills and be aware of the main foundations and features of both the common law legal system and the basic principles of Irish Law.

Learning Outcomes

1. Reference work according to strict academic standards
2. Describe, and explain foundational concepts in Law
3. Put forward an argument and use evidence to defend it
4. Analyse and evaluate others' arguments
5. Apply knowledge to a novel puzzle, and in so doing create new knowledge
6. Gather and apply data to questions in law

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	10	No Description
Tutorial	10	No Description
Assignment Completion	36	No Description
Directed learning	10	No Description
Independent Study	184	No Description
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Substantive Material
1. Law and Morality 2. Law and Justice 3. Sources of Law 4. Hierarchy of Courts 5. Precedent 6. Legislative Process 7. Legislative Interpretation 8. The EU 9. International Legal Organisations 10. Legal Professions

Skills Material
1. Case brief 2. Citations – OSCOLA 3. How to write an essay? 4. How to write a problem question? 5. How to use JustisOne 6. How to prepare for a presentation 7. Engaging with academic work

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Group presentation	Students are paired randomly within their tutorial group at the outset of the module. At the beginning of each tutorial one group presents a discussion of a court case that is currently reported in the press. They follow this presentation with a short 150 words reflection in a journal entry on Loop. Students will not receive a grade for this, but it is based on pass/ fail. To pass they need to have arrive prepared at the tutorial to present their case and submit the written	5%	n/a
Completion of online activity	Each week, students are set six tasks they must complete. This includes watching lectures, attending workshops (when relevant), reading the assigned reading, preparing responses to tutorial questions, posting 100 words in the journal in response to the tutorial questions and participating in the tutorial. They will be awarded 1% per week for successful completion of these tasks.	10%	n/a
Loop Quiz	Students must complete an online quiz focused on correct use of the OSCOLA citation system	25%	n/a
Essay	Students must complete a 1000 word essay casenote on an assigned case.	60%	Week 6

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Tanya Ní Mhuirthile, Catherine O’Sullivan and Liam Thornton: 2016, Fundamentals of the Irish Legal System: Law Policy and Politics, 1, Thomson Roundhall, Dublin,

Other Resources

None