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Law & Society - LAW00047I

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  • Department: The York Law School
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

Building upon the Introduction to Law & Society (ILS) module, that is compulsory for all first year students, the optional Law & Society module seeks to provide insight into some more advanced contexts and critical perspectives on this dynamic and ever changing relationship.

The different contexts (or 'topics') of law will differ from year to year and relate to some of the latest research being undertaken by academics in YLS, and beyond, with the inclusion of occasional guest speakers. Topic ideas include: legal history, environmental law and animal conservation, mental health law, human trafficking and the final frontier of space law.

A deeper understanding of some of the prominent critical perspectives of law will also be achieved in relation to doctrinal versus pluralistic approaches, intersectional feminist theories, critical race theories and Marxist thinking.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

1. Demonstrate deep knowledge and understanding of some of the fundamental principles and institutions of the legal system of England and Wales

2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a variety of roles played by law in society

3. Identify various perspectives and methodological approaches to the study of law and legal systems

4. Identify, retrieve and discriminate among sources of law and sources of information relevant to law

5. Synthesise and analyse a variety of information sources to develop further knowledge, construct arguments and draw conclusions supported by appropriate authority

6. Demonstrate an awareness of the significance of academic integrity and an ability to act with academic integrity

Module learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate deep 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.

2. 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.

3. Introduce various perspectives and 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, appreciating the nuances of doctrinal, and critical perspectives of legal research), and to consider some of the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 50
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 50

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 50
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 50

Module feedback

Formative feedback is provided to students: (i) in the form of feedback during plenary and workshop sessions and (ii) from tutor and peer feedback during the student conference proceedings.

Summative feedback is delivered in written form provided by: (i) comments on the oral delivery of a 10 minute presentation during the student conference and (ii) on the written report that students produce on a research project of their choice. This feedback will be delivered within the policy turnaround time.

Indicative reading

Simon Halliday and Patrick Schmidt, Conducting Law and Society Research: Reflections on Methods and Practices (CUP, 2009)

James Penner and Emmanuel Melissaris, McCoubrey and White's Textbook on Jurisprudence (OUP, 2014)

Max Travers, Understanding Law and Society (Routledge, 2010)


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.