Academic and Research Skills for Law

Course Description

This unit introduces students to the fundamentals of skills development and the basic elements of research, this includes researching case law and statutory law and helping students understand how to read cases and statutes. Students will explore academic writing and approaches to academic writing as well as developing skills such as completing citations and references for their work.

Course Objectives

This unit introduces students to the fundamentals of skills development and the basic elements of research, this includes researching case law and statutory law and helping students understand how to read cases and statutes. Students will explore academic writing and approaches to academic writing as well as developing skills such as completing citations and references for their work.

Key Topics

1. LO1: Understand how to research case law
2. LO2: Understand how to research statutory law
3. LO3: Be able to apply the skills of legal citation
4. LO4: Be able to identify personal strengths and areas for development in relation to academic research and writing skills

Course Outline

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1 Understand how to research case law
2. 1.1 Explain what is meant by case law.
3. 1.2 Identify examples of case law.
4. 1.3 Explain how case law precedent is followed by other courts.
5. LO2 Understand how to research statutory law
6. 2.1 Explain where to find legislation.
7. 2.2 Identify reasons why the statute was created and what function it is meant to perform.
8. 2.3 Identify whether a statue or section is in force.
9. 2.4 Identify supporting material inside a statute.
10. LO3 Be able to apply the skills of legal citation
11. 3.1 Plan and structure various types of legal assignments.
12. 3.2 Explain the role of legal citation in academic assessments.
13. 3.3 Accurately reference legal citations in written text.
14. LO4 Be able to identify personal strengths and areas for development in relation to academic research and writing skills
15. 4.1 Identify and record development needs and specify priority areas for development.
16. 4.2 Describe the range of approaches to learning and study used.
17. 4.3 Explain the importance of independent learning skills.
18. 4.4 Create a plan for further improvement.