LLB Law (graduate programme) learning and assessment
The study of law involves much more than learning legal principles and rules.
A central aim of LLB Law (graduate programme) is to develop the traditional skill of 'thinking like a lawyer'. However, we recognise that to understand, use and apply the law involves the development of generic transferable intellectual skills.
We promote expertise in analysis, synthesis, logical argument, research techniques and methodology, organisation of information, and oral and written presentation of materials throughout the degree programme.
A broader contextual approach, where we examine the law as a social institution and in its relationship with the real world, also complements our legal programme.
LLB Law (graduate programme) is demanding: you need to be both enthusiastic and dedicated to your studies. You will do much of your preparatory work independently, and there is a large amount of reading and information to assimilate.
While we provide learning support through an induction week for new students and subject tutors offers structured guidance about study skills, LLB Law is geared towards the self-motivated and independent learner. You will also carry out a substantial piece of independent research in your final year.
The Law Library within the Brotherton Library is integral to the working life of both students and staff in the Department with over fifty thousand volumes, and extensive holdings covering Commonwealth, American and European Law as well as English law.
The library offers further support through electronic access to legal materials; the library has plenty of workspace and includes a large computer cluster.
Teaching methods
We use a variety of teaching methods within the programme.
We employ the traditional university medium of lectures, tutorials and seminars, but many modules offer additional innovative teaching methods.
We teach criminal law in the second year by the case-class method, instead of lectures. Case-classes originated in American law schools. They take the form of a dialogue, based on cases prepared in advance, between the teacher and the students.
The Legal Skills module in the first year involves students working in groups to research a case based on actual legal documents, drafting pleadings (a statement of claim or defence), preparing a brief to counsel and applying the practical skills of negotiation and advocacy.
Interactive computer-based packages and learning materials increasingly supplement formal teaching. We incorporate the IOLIS package of computer-based learning in law into the teaching programme, together with on-line resources specifically prepared by Leeds staff.
Assessment
The School assesses some modules by examination only and, increasingly, some by coursework alone.
Where we assess a module by examination and coursework, the proportions of marks for each component of assessment may vary from subject to subject, but the standard pattern is for 25 percent of the marks to be allocated to course-work, and 75 per cent to the examination.
A number of modules have a component of assessment derived from a group-work project as well as assessment of individual work. Assessment of oral participation and presentation in seminars is further feature in some modules.
The Library
The Library website also provides easy access to electronic resources, which include databases, journals, books and archives.
IT provision
The University has over 35 IT computer clusters, six of which are open 24 hours a day.