Law with American Studies (with a study abroad year) LLB (Hons)

Program Overview

This LLB program offers a unique combination of law and American Studies, providing insights into the relationship between the legal systems of the US and UK. With a focus on critical thinking and practical skills, students are prepared for careers as solicitors, barristers, or in related fields. The year abroad experience in prestigious American institutions further enhances their understanding and global perspective.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This LLB program combines legal studies with American Studies, offering a unique perspective on the relationship between the US and UK legal systems. The program aims to develop students' understanding of the history, politics, culture, and literature of the Americas, while also providing a strong foundation in law. The program includes a year abroad, allowing students to experience a new culture and legal system firsthand. The University of Sussex boasts a wider range of prestigious American partner institutions than any other program in England, including UC Berkeley and Georgetown. Students will be taught by research-active faculty and become part of a vibrant community with an active student law body. The program also benefits from strong links with leading law firms, who sponsor student competitions in national and international mooting, criminal advocacy, client interviewing, negotiation, mediation, and legal debating. The program is accredited by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), satisfying the academic component of Bar training and acting as a gateway to further qualification as both a solicitor and a barrister.

Outline:

The program is structured as a major/minor course, with Law as the major subject (75% of study time) and American Studies as the minor subject (25% of study time).

Year 1:

• Core Modules:
• American Political Culture
• Contract Law 1
• English Legal System
• Tort Law 1
• Contract Law 2
• Justice, Equality and Society
• The Look of America
• Tort Law 2

Year 2:

• Core Modules:
• Land Law 1
• Public Law I: Constitutional and Administrative Law Advanced
• Race and Ethnicity in US History
• Land Law 2
• American Cities
• Options:
• Business Law and Practice
• Canadian Constitutional Law in Comparative Perspective Advanced
• Power, the State and the Individual (Advanced)

Year 3 (Study Abroad):

• Students spend their third year studying at one of the University of Sussex's partner institutions in the US or Canada.
• Partner institutions include:
• UC Berkeley and UCLA
• Tulane University in New Orleans and the University of North Carolina
• Georgetown University and George Washington University, Washington, DC.

Year 4:

• Core Modules:
• American Studies Dissertation
• Criminal Law 1 (Advanced)
• European Union Law
• Criminal Law 2 (Advanced)
• Options:
• A wide range of options are available, covering specialized areas of law, including:
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Anti-Corruption Law and Practice
• Aspects of Commercial Law
• Charity Law and Governance
• Child Law
• Company Law 1
• Competition Law: International Perspectives
• Criminology
• Employment Law - Foundations
• Fashion Law
• Foundations of Environmental Law
• Global Business Law and Regulation
• Hate Crime and the Law
• Human Rights 1: International and Regional Frameworks
• Immigration & Asylum Law
• Intellectual Property: Copyright and Related Rights
• International Trade Law
• Law and Resistance 1
• Law of Evidence
• Law, Gender and Sexuality
• Law, Politics and Economics of Regulation
• Media Law and Regulation
• Perspectives on Healthcare Law
• Principles of Islamic Law
• Principles of Public International Law
• Professional Negligence
• Short Dissertation A
• Sports Law 1
• Transnational Commercial Litigation
• Clinical Legal Education
• Dissertation
• Aboriginal Law
• Adult Family Law
• Advanced Contract Law in Practice
• Canadian Administrative Law
• Commercial Sales Law
• Company Law 2
• Comparative Family Law
• Competition Law and Markets
• Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Law
• Crime and Punishment
• Global Business Law and Regulation (Spring)
• Global Business Law and Regulation Advanced
• Global Perspectives on Terrorism and Counter Terrorism B
• Globalisation, Law and Sustainability (Adv)
• Globalisation, Law and Sustainability (Advanced)
• Human Rights 2: Critical Perspectives
• Intellectual Property: Industrial Property
• International Business Transactions
• International Economic Disputes
• Internet Law and Regulation
• Land, Property and Environment
• Law and Development
• Law and the Entertainment Industry
• Law and the Welfare State
• Law of Succession
• Legal Education: Theory and Practice
• Legal Ethics and Professional Conduct
• Protest Law
• Public International Law in Current Affairs
• Tax Law and Policy
• The Criminal Process
• The Legal Regulation of Sexual Relationships

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Essays: Students are required to write essays to demonstrate their critical thinking, research, and analytical skills.
• Presentations: Students may be required to give presentations to showcase their communication and public speaking abilities.
• Mooting: Participation in mooting competitions allows students to develop their advocacy skills and legal argumentation.
• Client Interviewing: Students may be assessed on their ability to conduct client interviews effectively.
• Negotiation and Mediation: Students may be assessed on their negotiation and mediation skills.
• Dissertations: Students are required to complete a dissertation in their final year, demonstrating their ability to conduct independent research and write a substantial piece of academic work.

Teaching:

The program employs a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Lectures provide students with a comprehensive overview of key legal concepts and principles.
• Seminars: Seminars offer a more interactive learning environment, allowing students to engage in discussions and debate with their peers and faculty.
• Workshops: Workshops provide students with practical skills training, such as mooting, client interviewing, and negotiation.
• Small Group Tutorials: Small group tutorials provide students with personalized support and guidance from faculty.

Careers:

Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to pursue a variety of legal careers, including:

• Solicitor: Graduates can qualify as solicitors by completing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
• Barrister: Graduates can qualify as barristers by completing the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).
• In-House Lawyer: Graduates can work as in-house lawyers for public limited companies or government agencies.
The program also equips graduates with transferable skills that are valuable in a range of non-legal careers, such as:
• Multinational Companies: Graduates can work in multinational companies, utilizing their legal knowledge and communication skills.
• Broadcast Media: Graduates can work in broadcast media, applying their legal expertise and communication skills.
• Public Relations: Graduates can work in public relations, leveraging their communication and interpersonal skills.
• Human Resources: Graduates can work in human resources, drawing on their legal knowledge and understanding of employment law.
• Policy Development: Graduates can work in policy development, utilizing their analytical and research skills.
• Politics: Graduates can pursue careers in politics, applying their legal knowledge and understanding of government.

Other:

• The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the legal systems of both the US and the UK.
• The program emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, research, and analytical skills.
• The program offers students the opportunity to develop their communication, advocacy, and interpersonal skills.
• The program provides students with a strong foundation for a successful career in law or a related field.
• The program is taught by experienced and research-active faculty.
• The program benefits from strong links with leading law firms.
• The program is accredited by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).