| Unit name | Learning from the US Constitutional Experience |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWD20050 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Stafford Smith |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) | |
| 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?
When the US Constitution was drafted in the 1780s, it was essentially a critique of how UK law was applied in the age of George III. Many of those 18th Century criticisms remain true of the UK today, a fact that is little recognised. The University encourages you to plan your life in law with an eye to how you will help improve the system, rather than merely work within it. This course will provide a very practical discussion of how the law really works (or does not) for you and the people you wish to help.
How does this Unit fit into your Programme of Study?
This is an optional subject that allows you to learn how the law operates in other countries both to channel the political system, and protect individual rights. Meanwhile, the best way to understand the basics of UK Constitutional and Criminal law is to see how they have been the subject of criticism. The US Constitution provides a framework that canvases both subjects, but the Unit will also look at the parallel experiences of other countries in Europe and Asia. The course will also lead you towards opportunities for practical experiences in the US and elsewhere.
An overview of content
Each class will address a different facet of individual rights, and constitutional structure, with a critical eye on how it is applied in the UK as contrasted to (particularly) the US. The course will be framed around the professor’s 40 years of practical experience in death penalty and civil rights litigation in the US.
The purpose of this unit is to show students how the legal studies performed in Year 1 apply in the real world, while challenging the students not to accept the status quo. The UK legal establishment is sometimes complacent when it comes to practical application, and the students’ careers should be focused on improving everything we are asked to do.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit a successful student will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a variety of asynchronous and synchronous activities.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Students will write and submit drafts of their research project for feedback at set points during the course.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
1 x Coursework with a specified word count (100%)
Students will write a research project either individually or in pairs, as learning to work together is an important part of effective practice, as well as being more enjoyable for some people. This will assess all of the intended learning outcomes for this unit.
When assessment does not go to plan
The reassessment will take the same format as the original summative assessment.
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. LAWD20050).
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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
