Unit name | Law and State |
---|---|
Unit code | LAWD10012 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Dr. Psygkas |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The unit aims to introduce students to the main legal and political institutions of the UK and international orders of which it is a part; to consider their respective roles in the law-making process, and to understand their interrelationship. Topics include: states and constitutions; parliament; international law; the EU; law-making and judicial interpretation; the executive; regional and local government; the regulatory state.
By the end of this unit, a student will be able to describe the structure of the United Kingdom’s constitution and its major institutions of government, as well as their functions and the principles which underpin them.
In particular, a student will have knowledge of the distinctive features of the British constitution and its place within its multi-layered context of international law, European Union law and human rights law. S/he will be able to describe the institutions of the state and the role of the constitution in regulating relationships between citizens and the state, between states themselves and between states and supranational institutions. The historical development of Parliament, its position of supremacy in law-making, and the relevance of this concept today are all covered. A student will be able to explain the nature and accountability of the Crown, Government Ministers, the cabinet and central government departments. S/he will understand the relationship between the Parliament at Westminster and devolved governments as well as the role of regulatory bodies in governing, including the relationship between central and local government. Finally, S/he will be able to explain the constitutional position and role of the judiciary.
Students will be equipped to engage in the analysis of complex judicial decisions with multiple opinions. They will be able to analyse, synthesise and offer critical evaluation of information, as well as to expound systematically in writing the material in its political and historical context. Oral communication and presentation skills are also developed but only assessed formatively.
Nine 2-hr seminars with additional lectures by the unit coordinator and outside speakers. Drop in sessions.
Two summative pieces of coursework of 2,000 words, each contributing 50% to the final mark. One compulsory piece of formative assessment, 1,000 words in length.
• I. Loveland, Constitutional Law, 6th ed., Oxford University Press, 2012. • J. Jowell & D. Oliver, The Changing Constitution, Oxford University Press, 7th edn., 2011. • Tomkins, Public Law, Oxford University Press, 2003. • Eric Barendt, An Introduction to Constitutional Law, Oxford University Press, 1998. • T. Bingham, The Rule of Law, Penguin, 2011.