| Unit name | Advanced Obligations |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWD20048 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. McCunn |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
LAWD10011 Law of Tort LAWD10008 Law of Contract |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This unit builds on your previous studies of tort and contract law. It introduces you to a range of advanced issues in the law of tort, contract and unjust enrichment in order to develop your understanding of the law of obligations more broadly. The unit explores topics that are crucial for legal practice, and is specifically designed to draw out the ways in which they relate to each other in the real world. You will also use a variety of analytical methods in order to gain a broader perspective on the law of obligations. You will assess the theoretical foundations of the law; compare English law to the law of other jurisdictions; and evaluate and critique the current state of the law.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This is an optional unit which follows and expands on the core Law of Tort and Law of Contract units in Year 1. You can choose to study it if you are particularly interested in tort and contract law or related fields, and would like to know more about them. It also acts as a bridge to units in Year 3/4, and, in particular, offers a foundation for students wishing to write a Final Year Research Project or Dissertation on the law of obligations.
An overview of content
This unit will introduce students to advanced issues in obligations law, as well as new ways to think about the law. This will include the analysis of comparative and historical materials; empirical and socio-legal research; and theoretical and critical literature. Students will also consider how the relationship between legal doctrines plays out across a range of problem scenarios in legal practice.
Topics studied on the unit could include: privity of contract and pure economic loss; penalty clauses and exemplary damages; defamation, privacy and non-disclosure agreements; duress, undue influence and unconscionability; relational contract theory; nuisance and Rylands v Fletcher; product liability; bailment and property torts; and the law of unjust enrichment.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will deepen their knowledge of obligations law, gaining a more rounded understanding of tort, contract and unjust enrichment and the relationships between them. Students will develop new skills for legal practice by examining how different legal doctrines can apply in key problem scenarios. They will also learn to use a wide range of methodologies and analytical lenses to evaluate and critique the law.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this unit a successful student will be able to:
• Describe and explain the legal rules applying to a selection of issues in the law of obligations
• Select and apply statutory provisions and case law to problem scenarios relating to the law of obligations
• Identify and appraise overlaps between the law of tort, contract and unjust enrichment
• Articulate and assess arguments relating to the application of the law of obligations
• Analyse and critically evaluate the law of obligations, including proposals for the reform of the law
7 x 1-hour lectures: these sessions will be guided by the lecturer, who will introduce new concepts and materials. They may involve traditional lecture-style delivery, small-group discussions, Q&A sessions, problem-based learning and skills sessions. These will be supplemented with consolidation sessions, feedback sessions and revision sessions.
7 x 2-hour seminars: these sessions will enable you to deepen your learning alongside your peers. They may involve small-group discussions, Q&A sessions, problem-based learning, class debates, skills sessions, essay planning, analysis of academic literature, and other formative exercises. You will be expected to prepare for their seminars by completing a variety of asynchronous tasks, including listening to podcasts, watching videos, engaging in directed reading and participating in discussion boards.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
A formative assessment task will be set early in Teaching Block 2. This will consist of two questions, of which you will be expected to answer one. The total word count for the assessment will be 1,500 words. The questions will be of a similar format to the summative assessment (see below), and you will be provided with both group and individual feedback by your tutor.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit will be assessed by Timed Assessment in the summer assessment period. The assessment will include four questions, of which you will be expected to answer two. The total word count for the assessment will be 3,000 words. Questions may include both problem questions and essay questions, and individual questions will cover multiple topics from across the unit (for example, you may be expected to discuss issues in both contract and tort law).
When assessment does not go to plan:
The re-assessment will take the same form as the assessment task. You will be offered a Timed Assessment of a similar format during the reassessment period.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. LAWD20048).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
