Studying at York
Introduction to Law & Society - LAW00002C
Module summary
The broad purpose of the module is to give you an opportunity to consider law in a variety of contexts, or, to put it another way, to consider the relationships between law and other disciplines. We will consider law in its social and political contexts, and will ask how those contexts shape the law, and how those contexts are shaped by the law.
In this module you will encounter a variety of different perspectives on law and the legal system. This will include the ideas of classical social theorists such as Durkheim, Weber and Marx, through to more contemporary perspectives such as feminist legal theory and critical legal studies. You will also be encouraged to consider the roles played by the various ‘gatekeepers’ of law, such as the police and the judiciary, and question the extent to which law is embedded within social structures including class, gender, race and ethnicity. In addition, you will explore a number of different methodological approaches to the study of law and legal systems, and you will work on a proposal for a hypothetical research project. This will involve you considering how to choose a research topic; how to undertake a literature review, how to formulate a set of research questions; and how to choose an appropriate methodology for the undertaking of legal research.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Spring Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
- To provide students with knowledge and understanding of some of the fundamental principles of the legal system
- To provide students with knowledge and understanding of the key institutions and personnel involved in law
- To develop a critical understanding of the role and function of law in society
- To introduce students to various methodological approaches to the study of law and legal systems
- To develop and practise skills related to identifying, retrieving and discriminating among sources of law and sources of information relevant to law
- To develop and practice skills related to synthesising and analysing a variety of information sources in order to develop further knowledge, construct arguments and draw conclusions supported by appropriate authority
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module you should be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of some of the fundamental principles and institutions of the legal system of England and Wales
This requires you to be able to describe key aspects of what is sometimes known as 'legal method', including the institutions which are responsible for making legal decisions, (for example, courts), the nature of and relationships between various sources of law and the personnel involved in the development and application of law.
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a variety of roles played by law in society
This requires you to be able to describe and evaluate relationships between law and the wider world; for example, how law does and does not protect rights; how law ascribes responsibility; how law and legal institutions reflect broader social, political and philosophical positions.
- identify various methodological approaches to the study of law and legal systems
This requires you to be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of legal research methodology (including, for example, doctrinal, socio-legal and comparative approaches to legal research), and to consider some of the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches.
- identify, retrieve and discriminate among sources of law and sources of information relevant to law
This requires you to be able to undertake basic research of sources of law and sources relevant to law, and to understand the significance, authority and credibility of the sources in question.
- synthesise and analyse a variety of information sources to develop further knowledge, construct arguments and draw conclusions supported by appropriate authority
This requires you to be able to develop arguments around issues involving law and to support your arguments with reference to relevant sources.
- demonstrate an awareness of the significance of academic integrity and an ability to act with academic integrity
This requires you to understand and to act in accordance with some of the values which underpin scholarship and your responsibilities as a legal scholar and a member of a learning community, with particular reference to appropriately acknowledging the work of others on whose work you draw to support your learning.
- demonstrate a positive contribution to the learning and development of your own critical thinking skills and those of others by regular attendance and active participation in the learning activities on the Introduction to Law and Society module
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Formative feedback is provided to students (i) via feedback during learning activities in roundtables and (ii) during and after immediately after the ILS Conference in Week 1 of the Summer term.
Indicative reading
P. Harris, An Introduction to Law (7th edn, Cambridge University Press 2007).
S. Roach Anleu, Law and Social Change (2nd edn, Sage 2010).
C. Elliott and F. Quinn, English Legal System (15th edn, Pearson Education 2014)