Module Title:Legal Research and Communications
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 5
NFQ Level:6
Module Delivered In 2 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: Lectures - communication of knowledge and ideas from the lecturer to the student. Problem Solving Exercises - student will work as part of a team and will work together to resolve various legal scenarios. Class Discussion/Debate - Students will be encouraged to actively participate in the class sessions which will develop their analytical and communication skills. E-Learning - The module will be supported with on-line learning materials. Self-Direct Independent Learning - the emphasis on independent learning will develop a strong and autonomous work and learning practices.
Module Aim: The aim of this module is to give students a thorough grounding in legal research and communication skills, giving them the ability to gather, assemble and competently communicate legal information.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Gather, analyse and assimilate legal information from various sources.
LO2 Read and comprehend legal information, and communicate that comprehension in written and verbal form.
LO3 Correctly reference legal sources.
LO4 Apply legal theories to problem scenarios/case studies through research, critical analysis and reasoning.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Legal Research - Sources of Law
• The Constitution • Legislation o The Irish Statute Book – Acts of the Oireachtas and Statutory Instruments o Locating and Understanding Legislation • Common Law/Case Law o Proper use of citation o Finding a case from a citation o Reading and analysing a case o Unreported cases o Determining whether a case has been affected by later authority • EU law • International Law • Scholarly Writings/Journals/Articles, including citation of cases/articles • Electronic sources of law
Legal Communications
• Latin and French Terms Commonly Used in Legal Writing. • Writing Letters, Essays, Assignments & Case Notes • Addressing Problem scenarios • Organization and Presentation of Written Work • Referencing including citations, bibliographies, footnotes, endnotes and plagiarism. • Style of Writing: Accuracy, Relevance & Brevity • Oral and Non-Verbal Communication Skills including presentations
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment100.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Other Assessment 1 The student will be required to source given • Articles from the Constitution • Pieces of legislation (both Acts and Statutory Instruments) • Cases • Provisions of EU Law (including Treaties, legislation and ECJ Decisions) • International treaties/Conventions • Scholarly Writing 1 10.00 n/a
Short Answer Questions Referencing and Abbreviation Assessment 3 20.00 n/a
Other Assessment 3 The student will be required to read and write a case note (in accordance with given guidelines) on a decision from the Irish High or Supreme Court. (The actual decision will differ each year.) 2,3 20.00 n/a
Other Assessment 4 Here the students will be given a number of cases to read and a hypothetical problem scenario to solve using principles decided in those cases. The students will be required to draft a legal opinion on the legal issues and likely outcome to the problem scenario. This will be a group project building upon team work skills. 3,4 30.00 n/a
Other Assessment 5 The student will be required to prepare and deliver an oral presentation 2 20.00 n/a
No Project
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 4.00
Independent Learning Time 15 Weeks per Stage 5.13
Total Hours 125.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Every Week 1.00
Total Hours 1.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_BBLEG_C_1 Higher Certificate in Arts in Legal Studies 1 Mandatory
CW_HHLAW_B OLD Honours Bachelor of Laws Degree - LLB 1 Mandatory