Module manager: James Greenwood-Reeves
Email: J.R.H.Greenwood-Reeves@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Students must have passed LLB Level 1.
| LAW1200 | Foundations of Law |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is designed to introduce students to a law and society (or socio-legal) approach to the study of law, to teach them to recognise the importance of social context to legal analysis, and to equip them with the skills required to undertake socio-legal analysis and research.
Socio-legal (or law and society) approaches look at the law in the context of broader social and political theories and issues. The aim of this module is to introduce students to the diverse traditions and methods that come under this umbrella, as well as to the idea of situating law within its context.
By the end of the module students will be able to:
- identify a socio-legal approach and understand the reasons behind a socio-legal approach and method;
- critically discuss the law in terms of the different social contexts covered in the syllabus;
- demonstrate analytical and independent study skills;
- demonstrate effective oral communication and presentation skills;
- demonstrate ability in group work and in AV & IT skills.
The module content will build upon the theoretical insights covered in Foundations of Law at level 1. The module will open with a discussion of the socio-legal approach, what a socio-legal method involves, and how to ‘do’ law and social theory.
It will then proceed to exemplify this in relation to concrete examples. Specific topics will vary but will engage with the research interests of the School’s Centre for Law & Social Justice, namely disability, mental capacity, race, gender, social class, social care, access to justice, and discrimination.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Private study hours | 82 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 15 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 97 | ||
A formative assessment opportunity will be provided.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| In-course MCQ | Formative: MCQs (mid-semester 1, same time as the summative Qs get released) | |
| Assignment | Summative: Coursework | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team