LLB (Hons) Law with Politics

Compulsory

Introduction to Law and its Study

This module provides you with a basic introduction to law and the key skills for studying it. In particular, you'll develop your ability in academic writing, problem solving and research.

Systems of Justice

Develop your understanding of law as a fundamental social institution. You'll reflect on your understanding of justice, with reference to contemporary social issues.

Criminal Law

Develop a strong understanding of criminal law in England and Wales. You'll focus on topics like property offences, non-fatal offences against the person, defences and inchoate offences.

Public and European Law

In this module you'll study the law governing the UK state, the institution of the European Union and the nature of the legal relationship between the UK and the EU.

British Political History since 1945

The UK's political history after World War Two: from Eden to the EEC and from Wilson to the 'Winter of Discontent', encounter the people, ideas and policies that have shaped modern Britain.

Introduction to Comparative Politics

This module introduces Comparative Politics, one of the major building blocks for the study of Politics. It introduces “the study of the state” and some of the main concepts used by politics scholars, like political culture, political parties, executives, legislatures and constitutions.

Compulsory

Obligations I – The Law of Tort

Study the general framework and key concepts of the law of tort. Among other things, you'll consider the grounds of liability and evaluate the role of tort law in modern society.

Obligations II - The Law of Contract

Examine contract formation and enforceability, factors that may render a contract void, the interpretation of contractual terms and potential remedies for breach of contract.

Real-World Law

Developed in partnership with a leading commercial law firm, and taught by practising solicitors, arbitrators, mediators and advocates, you will focus on understanding law in a commercial setting through interactive workshops, finding solutions to legal issues using a range of practical skills.

European Union Law

You'll consider the operation of the internal market and how to access it; the state of Brexit negotiations; and alternative models for continuous partnership with the European Union.

Optional

Rethinking Political Economy

Rethinking Political Economy enables students to explore plural perspectives drawn from the history of ideas in political economy from its early development in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to the contemporary rethinking of political economy. Particular focus is placed upon the confrontation both of historical power imbalances, notably the relocation of the previously marginalized perspectives of female political economists to the very centre and cutting edge of the discipline, and urgent issues of human development, notably inequalities in income and wealth, and mitigation of and adaptation to human-induced climate change

Electoral and Voting Systems

You will study in depth the basic principles and the workings of a variety of electoral and voting systems used in the UK and around the world. You will explore the implications of electoral and voting systems for democracy and political representation. Your assessment in the form of a policy brief will prepare you for future interactions with policy-makers.

British Government

In the age of Brexit who governs Britain? Discover the workings of the British state and where power lies. From the uncodified constitution, the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet government to Whitehall, English local government, Scottish and Welsh devolution to the great parties of state: the Conservative Party and the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. Encounter the traditions, institutions and political parties which govern Britain.

Understanding America

The aim of this module is to provide a general introduction to the political culture and institutions of the United States of America and the environment in which those institutions operate. Having considered these domestic issues, the module examines the USA’s international role and behaviour. It draws students’ attention to the complex relationship between these domestic and international aspects of American politics.

Understanding the European Union

The EU has a population of almost 450 million people and host the world’s the largest single market. The module identifies the main EU institutions and explains where power lies in EU decision-making. EU policies which will be assessed include environmental/climate policy, Economic Monetary Union (EMU) and the Single European Market (SEM). The module focuses also on the EU’s relations with the UK (pre- and post-Brexit), USA, China and Global South countries. The EU has emerged as an environmental leader on the international level and has frequently tried to use its ‘market power’ to transfer its goals, norms and values to the international level. The EU’s impact therefore goes well beyond the territory of its currently 27 Member States.

Compulsory

Land Use and Regulation

Develop insight into the issues surrounding the use and regulation of land. You'll cover topics such as co-ownership, leases, and private and public regulation of land use.

Trusts: Managing for Others

This module will introduce you to the legal concept of the trust and help to develop an understanding of the role the device plays in facilitating and regulating the management of wealth for others.

Optional

Employment Law

Explore the role of law in the workplace. You'll consider the protection offered by employment law, work contracts, remedies available to wronged workers and discrimination in the workplace.

Medical Law and Ethics

Get to grips with controversial issues which often make the headlines. You'll explore the ethical conflicts behind the legal principles of topics including abortion and assisted dying.

Family Law

This module covers the study of relationship formation and breakdown, the cohabiting family, same sex relationships, the fiNAcial aspects of relationship breakdown and children. You'll experience applying the practical aspects of family law to problem questions.

Law Clinic

Experience law in practice, advising real clients with real problems, researching legal issues and writing letters of advice under the supervision of professionally-qualified members of staff.

UK Politics in an Age of Austerity and Brexit

Examine contemporary debates on economic, social and political renewal. You'll cover topics such as: Brexit, austerity, foreign policy and the future of the welfare state.

The Contemporary House of Commons

The Contemporary House of Commons module provides a distinctive opportunity not only to study the role of the House of Commons in the UK political system, but also to engage with practitioners, to develop skills of advocacy and to engage in research of primary sources, and to do so through small-group extended seminars, ensuring continuous engagement with fellow students and with the module leader, who is also parliamentarian.

Politics of the Environment

Analyse attitudes towards the environment and the politics of the environmental movement, pressure groups, political parties, states, the EU and international organisations.

Parliament in the UK: Approaches to Reform

Parliament in the UK: Approaches to Reform provides students with an opportunity to assess Parliament in the content of a constitution in flux, to debate the merits of constitutional reforms, and to engage with practitioners, to develop skills of advocacy- not least through an adversarial debating format – and to engage in research of primary sources, and to do so through small-group extended seminars, ensuring continuous engagement with fellow students and with the module leader, who is also parliamentarian.

Comparative Legislatures

Examine how legislatures fit within systems of government. You'll explore the Westminster model, US Congress, and the Brazilian, German, South African and Chinese parliaments.

Democracy and Legitimacy in the European Union

This module focuses on the theoretical and empirical context in which democracy and legitimacy have become existential challenges for the European Union.

BRICS: Emerging Powers in International Affairs

Discover challenges facing the five emerging powers (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) in the shifting power structures of international affairs.

Criminal Evidence

Learn how the law balances the defendant's interests, with respect for victims and witnesses. Topics include the right to a fair trial and the process of collecting evidence.

Force, Conflict, and Security

This module explores the approach of international law to the regulation of the resort to force by States (including the general prohibition contained within the UN Charter, self-defence and Security Council authorisation), and to the regulation of hostilities in the context of those armed conflicts which continue to occur.

Sex(uality), Gender and the Law

Develop a critical overview of key aspects in the field of sex, sexuality, gender, religion and the law. You'll explore opportunities for the study and evaluation of the latest research, enhancing your understanding of inclusion, exclusion and the situatedness of knowledge.

Dissertation

You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up your own project on a topic you choose, supported by your dissertation supervisor.