Module overview
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the importance of procedure and its relationship with the substantive law;
- the nature and value of 'discretionary justice';
- historical influences on the current law;
- the role of socio-legal research;
- the main areas of law governing family life primarily concerning relationships between children, parents and the State;
- relevant policy documents on law reform, including consultation papers and reports from Government departments and the Law Commission.
- the family traditions and values of other societies, and minorities in British society, as a method of introducing a comparative law perspective and recognising human rights issues;
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- analyse, interpret and evaluate complex material;
- formulate an effective, reasoned and structured argument;
- communicate and present written arguments supported by appropriate evidence.
- effectively apply knowledge to solve practical problems;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- communicate in writing an understanding of family law, its application to the solution of legal problems and the formulation of effective argument with clear and accurate use of language and legal terminology and demonstrating an appreciation of academic integrity.
- identify and locate primary and secondary legal sources relevant to family law, specifically those pertaining to regulation of the relationships between children, family and the State;
- analyse and assess legal materials by way of statutory interpretation, case analysis and review of secondary materials to identify, comprehend and evaluate fundamental legal principles and their impact upon contemporary issues;
- produce effective, reasoned and structured responses to a given statement or proposition, which are adequately supported by reference to legal authority;
- from a given factual scenario: identify the relevant legal facts and legal issues raised; explain the law applicable to the identified legal issues; apply the relevant law to the given facts; examine uncertainties in the law and its application to the given facts and evaluate alternative approaches and arguments; provide adequate support by reference to legal authority;
Syllabus
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Wider reading or practice | 10 |
Follow-up work | 10 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 50 |
Lecture | 20 |
Revision | 40 |
Completion of assessment task | 10 |
Tutorial | 10 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Other Resources. he resources required are the books listed, together with access to the statutory and case law material central to the module. That material is available via the electronic resources provided by the School and the Library, especially though access to the legal databases: Westlaw, Justis and LexisNexis. Specific attention is drawn to the Family Law related materials available via Jordans (a leading Family Law publisher), which the University subscribes to. In addition, extensive use of Blackboard (https://blackboard.soton.ac.uk/) is made to support you in your learning. Examples of the current set texts are provided below, but inevitably this list changes on an annual basis. The books on this reading list will be useful for studying all of the three Family Law modules.
Textbooks
Harris-Short, S., Miles, J., and George, R. (2015). Family Law: Text, Cases and Materials. Oxford University Press.
Herring, J. (2017). Family Law. Pearson.
Gilmore, S. and Glennon, L. (2018). Hayes and William’s Family Law. Oxford University Press.
Lowe, N and Douglas, G. (2015). Bromley’s Family Law. Oxford University Press.
(2018). Blackstone’s Statutes on Family Law 2018/19. Oxford University Press.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Mock Examination
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Your tutor will provide individual feedback on your work, and thematic feedback regarding the cohort will also be placed on Blackboard. Follow up discussions are available with your tutor, to discuss feedback and ways in which you can improve.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External