L 1

Welcome and Course Overview

• This week marks the final lectures for the course on law and legal theory.

• Focus on linking themes and ideas from Semester One to Semester Two.

• Aim is to unify content and build a foundational basis for critical analysis.

Key Themes and Questions

• Core questions from Semester One:

  • What is the law?

  • Who is it for?

  • Who makes it?

  • What do we want the law to be?

• These questions serve as foundational assumptions for critical analysis.

• Shift from abstract questions in Semester One to concrete examples in Semester Two.

Assessment Preparation

• Important outcomes for this week:

  • Understand course connections and themes.

  • Preparation guidance for ILLT assessment and formative assessment.

  • Advice on approaching essay questions and coursework format.

• Coursework will require an eight-page essay, understanding of assessment criteria is vital for marking.

Support and Well-being Resources

• Resources are available for assessment preparation and student well-being.

• Need for support during exams is acknowledged particularly for students with specific learning differences.

• Importance of knowing available support options before assessments are due.

Class Descriptors and Academic Misconduct

• Discussion on class descriptors (e.g. 2:2, 2:1, First, Fail) and their meaning in terms of marking criteria.

• Emphasis on academic misconduct and importance of understanding what is considered acceptable and unacceptable in coursework.

Key Timelines and Dates

• Formative assessment to be released on March 28.

• Formative submissions due by April 14 with feedback to follow.

• Summative coursework titles will be released in March, with a submission deadline in early May.

Themes for Coursework

Legal Validity and Morality

• Continual exploration of the relationship between law and morality.

• Discussions on validity and questions of justice and fairness within legal frameworks.

• Referencing key theorists (e.g., Hart, Radbruch, Dworkin) to frame arguments.

State Sovereignty and Individual Rights

• Examination of the role of state power in the formation of law.

• Individual rights versus state enforcement highlighted through case studies (e.g. Splintin Explorers).

• Questions of equity and justice explored in light of state power versus individual rights.

Understanding the Legal System

• Distinction between law in principle versus law in practice.

• Recognition that legal writing does not always align with practical outcomes.

• Examining the intersection of legal sources, morality, and societal implications.

Coursework and Essay Writing Strategies

• Emphasis on critical reflection linking to various themes covered throughout semesters.

• Use of seminar readings to structure the majority of arguments in the essay.

• Suggested format for the essays:

  • Introduction: Outline the key points and stance on the topic.

  • Body: Critical discussion of readings, providing examples.

  • Conclusion: Summarize key arguments without introducing new points.

Annotated Bibliography for Formative Assessment

• Task requires a two-page annotated bibliography covering selected sources.

• Aim is to ground critical voice with specific literature in the annotated bibliography.

• Importance of clarity and critical engagement with sources emphasized.

• Expectation to analyze arguments critically, presenting balanced views while reaffirming one's own perspective.

Final Tips for Coursework Success

• Avoid last-minute submissions and ensure compliance with formatting guidelines (size, spacing, margins).

• The use of OSCOLA referencing for citations is mandatory.

• Advice on structuring essays and presenting arguments clearly, emphasizing critical analysis and structured debate.

• Conclusion should reflect the main arguments presented, avoiding the introduction of new information.