Law with a Foundation Year - LLB (Hons)

This module will help you to develop some of the foundational skills necessary to effectively study law in HE. You will be introduced to a range of substantive legal principles in England and Wales and right from the outset you will be asked to consider the nature and role played by law in our society today. In this module you will start to enhance your appreciation of the law making process and principles that form the UK’s constitution and develop your ability to identify and distinguish between primary and secondary sources of legal information.

This module will help you to develop the essential academic skills required to be successful in Higher Education. Within a supportive class environment this module will help you to develop basic research skills, academic writing and reflection skills. Acquiring these skills will aid your transition to the higher levels of study associated with your chosen degree programme.

During this module you will be required to maintain a learning diary to reflect upon the enhancement of your own academic skills development. The majority of taught sessions will involve interactive discussion and activities led by the module tutor. Certain sessions will introduce you to services and resources available to you at BCU.

This module will equip you with the essential skills required to be successful in Higher Education. Within a supportive class environment this module will help you to develop the professional presentation, time management and team working skills that will be needed in your subsequent study at BCU and in graduate employment. Acquiring these skills will aid your transition to the higher levels of study associated with your chosen degree programme and increase your self-awareness, confidence and assertiveness.

This module will help you to develop some of the foundational skills necessary to effectively study law in HE. Through your awareness of the important role played by cases and legislation (Learning the Law module) you will appreciate how you can use such sources to construct appropriate legal argument both orally and in writing. This module will focus on the practical nature of legal practice whereby you will be introduced to basic court procedure and the legal skills required to present a case effectively in court.

This module will help you to develop some of the foundational skills necessary to effectively study law in HE. In the module you will begin to appreciate the constituent parts of both cases and legislation in order to become aware of the part played by these primary sources in the development of either new law or amendment of existing legal principles. Possessing the ability to read cases and legislation will directly help your higher level study of law throughout this 4 year programme.

The Foundation Practice Project module is a practical piece of extended work related to your chosen degree. It will require you to apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout your current level of study and will enhance your ability to work individually and as part of a team. During the project you will be given the space, time and facilities to support deeper appreciation for your specialisation and you will be encouraged to demonstrate creativity in the design, planning and execution of a project.

Criminal Law 1: Fundamental Concepts & Crimes Against Persons is a core module and part of one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge that must be successfully completed by a law graduate in order to proceed to the next stage of training for entry into the legal profession.

The rationale for its inclusion in the LL.B programme is to provide you with a comprehensive overview of common criminal offences against persons and defences under English law, as largely prescribed by domestic statutes and common law (case law).

Torts 1: Fundamental Concepts & Trespass to the Person and Negligence is a core module and part of one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge that must be successfully completed by a law graduate in order to proceed to the next stage of training for entry into the legal profession.

The rationale for its inclusion in the LL.B programme is to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the more common tortious wrongs and associated defences and remedies under English law.

Contract Law 1: Fundamental Concepts & Creating Contracts is a core module and part of one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge that must be successfully completed by a law graduate in order to proceed to the next stage of training to qualify into the legal profession.

The rationale for its inclusion in the LL.B programme is to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the substantive Law of Contract; giving a foundational review of the legal concepts and principles involved when two parties make an agreement. This module will also address certain aspects of the English Legal System including European Law and Equity in the context of the module topics.

Criminal Law 2: Process, Property Crimes & Problem Solving is a core module and a part of one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge that must be successfully completed by a law graduate in order to proceed to the next stage of training for entry into the legal profession.

The rationale for its inclusion in the LL.B programme is to provide you with a comprehensive overview of common criminal offences against property, general defences and criminal justice process issues and personnel.

Torts 2: Property Reputation and Privacy is a core module and part of one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge that must be successfully completed by a law graduate in order to proceed to the next stage of training for entry into the legal profession.

The rationale for its inclusion in the LL.B programme is to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the more common tortious wrongs and associated defences and remedies under English law.

Contract Law 2: Breach, Remedies & Advocacy is a core module and part of one of seven foundations of legal knowledge that must be successfully completed by a law graduate in order to proceed to the next stage of training to qualify into the legal profession.

The rationale for its inclusion in the LL.B programme is to provide you with a comprehensive overview of Consumer Rights, Discharge, Unconscionability and Remedies in relation to the Law of Contract. It will also develop your skills in the analysis, research and construction of legal arguments both in writing and oral presentation. This module will also explore knowledge and skills related to the English Legal System, including Alternative Dispute Resolution, Advocacy and Law of the European Union.

Constitutional & Administrative Law is a core module and one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge that must be successfully completed by a law graduate in order to proceed to the next stage of training to qualify into the legal profession.

This module will explore the UK constitutional framework including sources of law, institutions, and key constitutional principles. It will enable you to develop a critical understanding of the UK constitutional institutions involved in the legislative process, including accountability mechanisms. You will explore UK administrative law which is concerned with review mechanisms which hold the Executive to account. You will also develop critical problem-solving skills by applying administrative law mechanisms to everyday problem scenarios.

Land Law is a core module and one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge that must be successfully completed by a law graduate in order to proceed to the next stage of training for entry into the legal profession.

The aim of this module is to provide an intellectually stimulating and academically rigorous education in Land Law which will be approached through a critical examination of the historical, political and economic elements of the discipline. Alongside the accumulation of knowledge, you will also engage in activities which will enable you to refine your analytical skills and ability to apply the rules to solve legal problems.

Professional Skills and Practice is a compulsory module providing you with an opportunity to develop your employability skills and also acting as a preparation for the programme’s optional placement modules which can be studied later in the programme.

In accordance with the programme’s philosophy and aims, the module is practice-led and knowledge based and is experiential by design. It will equip you with simulated experiences of legal practice skills such as interviewing, advising, negotiation, advocacy, communication skills, both written and oral, interpersonal skills (including team-working skills), the ability to prioritise and to work to strict deadlines.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is an optional module that forms one of your choices on the programme to provide an examination of methods of resolving disputes other than by means of litigation. ADR is a popular method of both domestic and international dispute resolution, often involving cross-border disputes. Processes central to ADR include negotiation, mediation, arbitration and adjudication.

Company Law is an optional module that forms one of your choices on the programme to provide a review of the limited company. It is one of the most important concepts in English law; it is the foundation of the business economy. You will develop a sound knowledge of the substantive and procedural aspects of company law with a practical understanding of the legal aspects of setting up and running private limited companies and their importance. This module will provide you with an appreciation of business organisations; offering a solid foundation for those wishing to progress to professional qualification courses and key transferable skills essential for employment.

Employment Law and Practice is an optional module that forms one of your choices on the programme and will provide a grounding in the principles of Employment Law, concentrating on the foundational areas of the subject.

Having studied the module you will appreciate the practical importance in Employment Law of the function of both the common law and of statute, and will have a grounding in the key areas of law relating to the employment contract and employment status, dismissal and equality rights.

Medical Law and Ethics is an optional module that forms one of your choices on the programme to provide an introduction for you to the ever-growing body of law concerned with the regulation of health care practice and some of the ethical dilemmas advances in medical science can generate within society. As the title implies Medical Law and Ethics invites you to explore the complex relationship between the law and ethics within a medical context. This relationship, where these elements meet, will be the focus of your studies.

This is an option module that is compulsory for students on the LLB with American Legal Practice pathway. It involves an examination of the way in which the US Constitution allocates powers between the federal government and the several states and explores the way in which the exercise of these powers is mediated by the Supreme Court. Studying this module will enable you to develop a critical understanding of the role of the Supreme Court as the final guardian of the Constitution.

The Individual and the US Constitution is an optional module for students studying the LLB (Hons) Law and a compulsory module for students on the LLB with American Legal Studies pathway. This module explores how the US Constitution protects the rights of the individual citizen against both the federal government and several States. It also considers the way in which these rights are mediated by the Supreme Court. You will develop a critical understanding of the role of the Supreme Court as the final guardian of the Constitution and the place of rights-based discourse in American political life.

Citizens’ Advice Placement is an optional module positioned at semester 2 of level 5. Students will apply at the end of level 4 to be considered, via formal application and interview, for placement with Citizens’ Advice (CA). If successful, a student will receive CA training over the summer period, usually for 2 days per week. A student will thereafter be placed with a local CA office and will attend for 1 day per week throughout the whole of level 5. The student will study the core Professional Skills and Practice module in semester 1 of level 5, learning complementary skills, and may opt to take this module in semester 2 in order to obtain appropriate credit upon successful completion of the placement and the module’s assessments.

Equity and the Law of Trusts is a core module and one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge that must be successfully completed by a law graduate in order to proceed to the next stage of training to qualify into the legal profession. The broad aim of this module is to provide you with an intellectually stimulating and problem-based education in Equity and the Law of Trusts.

The module will provide you with a sound basis of knowledge needed in order for you to apply the relevant legal concepts and principles. It will contribute towards your continuing professional development by learning through the application of law to concrete legal problems.

Law of the European Union is a core module and one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge that must be successfully completed by a law graduate in order to proceed to the next stage of training to qualify into the legal profession.

This module is designed to familiarise you with the Law of the European Union, combining the study of theoretical and practical elements and the procedural and substantive foundations. In conjunction with the programme’s philosophy and aims the module will enable you to appreciate the EU aspect of the wider international legal framework within which UK law resides, and to evaluate the way in which UK law relates to it.

The aim of this module is to provide a framework for you to undertake a substantial piece of disciplinary-relevant research. It is founded upon Birmingham City University’s teaching and learning philosophy which integrates theory and practice.

American Legal Practice (ALP) is an optional module that forms one of your choices on the LL.B. (Hons) and LL.B. (Hons) Law with American Legal Studies programmes. It provides experience of a fusion of law and practice in an international context. You must apply to undertake a placement. The rationale for its inclusion in the programme and the LL.B. Law with American Legal Studies pathways is to provide you with an overview of the American justice process (with a particular focus on criminal proceedings) and an opportunity to develop key legal skills through a practical internship and factually-based research and writing exercises. In so doing, the module engages with relevant legal concepts and practical lawyering skills relevant to the application of due process protections in the American justice system and advances your ability to undertake effective American legal research, referencing and writing.

This intellectually stimulating and exciting module engages with the law and practice of the United Nations for resolving international crisis situations. It provides students with critical knowledge of the UN. Charter, international humanitarian law and international human rights law, for solving humanitarian disasters. It presents an overview of the Charter of the United Nations and engages with the International Bill of Rights and associated international legislation.

Legal Advice & Representation Unit is an optional double module (40 credits) positioned across Semesters 1 and 2 of level 6. Students will apply at the end of level 5 to be considered, via formal application and interview, to undertake the module in the law clinic or via a placement either with Citizens Advice (CA), with another pro bono advice provider or with a firm of solicitors.

Evidence, Proof and Argument is an optional module that forms one of your choices on the programme to provide a comprehensive overview of the rules of criminal evidence and procedure. This module will sufficiently prepare students to progress onto one of the legal vocational training courses or to seek employment within the criminal justice system.

Family Law is an optional module that forms one of your choices on the programme to provide you with a grounding in the principles of Family Law.

You will concentrate on the foundational areas, including the law relating to marriage and separation, divorce and financial matters, and children disputes, to include the involvement of local authorities. After studying the module you will appreciate the importance of how statute and the developing case law continually impacts on family lives.

Intellectual Property Law is an optional module that forms one of your choices on the programme to give a general overview of the ways in which a person’s ideas, inventions, business reputation and creations can be protected both nationally and internationally. In this module you will examine the reasons behind intellectual property laws including a review of copyright, patents and trademarks. You will also examine emerging issues in intellectual property law.

American Criminal Procedure and Evidence provide you with a comprehensive overview of the American criminal justice process. This module will therefore examine due process protections afforded to individuals, under the U.S. Constitution, who are alleged to have committed or have been convicted of crimes. In so doing, you will engage with political, historical and social concepts relevant to the application of these due process protections in the American criminal justice system and this will advance your ability to undertake effective American legal research and referencing.

America & International Legal Issues is an optional module that is required to be undertaken as part of your pathway to provide an opportunity to study how America engages with specific aspects of international law and its foreign relations.

You will study how America interacts with international law by reviewing a series of case studies covering aspects of human rights law, environmental law, international trade law, international criminal law and humanitarian law. This module will examine how America’s legal order has responded to the lack of ‘outward-facing’ provisions in the US Constitution; providing you with an opportunity to analyse how America views international law and how it seeks to avoid influential international legal developments.