Module: Foundations of Legal Research

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Foundations of Legal Research
Module Code	LG143
School	School of Law & Government
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Goran Dominioni Semester 2: Goran Dominioni Autumn: Goran Dominioni
Module Teachers	Goran Dominioni
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Coursework Only
As original

Description

This module aims to introduce students to important legal doctrines and enable them to understand how to find, use and understand key legal sources. The module aims to equip students with important skills in terms of how to undertake library-based and empirical legal research. The module aims to acquaint students with the key concepts and philosophical foundations that underlie legal reasoning and the function and role of law in social life. The aim is to develop analytical techniques at the beginning of the programme, which will be developed as students progress through their degree. Small-group seminars will enable students to develop these skills.

Learning Outcomes

1. Locate and utilise core legal sources in order to solve practical legal problems.
2. Locate and analyse case law and legislation.
3. Use legal databases
4. Undertake legal research both in terms of traditional library based research and empirical work (qualitative and quantitative).
5. Critically appraise the key concepts underlying legal reasoning.
6. Critically appraise the philosophical foundations of contemporary law.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Tutorial	18	No Description
Group work	100	Legal Research and Writing
Assignment Completion	100	Legal Comprehension
Assignment Completion	100	Legal Research Skills
Independent Study	33	No Description
Total Workload: 375

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

Indicative topics
Uncovering legal sources-how to use the law library. The use of legal databases and the Internet as a tool of legal research. Legal comprehension-reading legislation and case law, preparing case notes. Academic writing and research. Introduction to legal research methods. Quantitative legal research- interviewing, focus groups, case study research skills. Quantitative legal research- compiling and analysing statistical data, introduction to STATA. The process of law reform. Understanding legal reasoning. Law, justice and rights-the social bases of law; law as an instrument of social change; laws as an integrative mechanism; law, power and ideology

Activities
Students will be expected (via the guidelines, links and suggested readings on Moodle) to read case law and legislation, academic articles and core texts; participate in class discussions and keep abreast of ongoing developments in this area of law.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Practical/skills evaluation	Research skills	30%	Once per semester
Project	Legal Comprehension	30%	Once per semester
Group project	Legal Writing and Presentation Skills	40%	Once per semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Cotterrell: 0, The Sociology of Law: An Introduction (latest ed),
Higgins & Tatham: 0, Successful Legal Writing (latest ed),
Banaker & Travers: 0, Theory and Method in Socio-Legal Research,
Hamilton: 0, Statistics With STATA,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

BCL	Bachelor of Civil Law (Law & Society)

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