Module Title:Introduction to Law and Practice (77-406222)

Module Title:Introduction to Law and Practice (77-406222)

Task 1: Blog (Weighting: 30%)

Students are required to write a law blog on ONE of the following topics:

Human Rights are inadequately protected in the UK under the terms of the Human Rights Act 1998.

The Human Rights Act 1998 gives strong protection to core civil and political liberties.

UK terrorism laws are effective in keeping the UK and its citizens safe.

UK terrorism laws are counterproductive in attempting to keep the UK and its citizens safe.

Article 2 ECHR is a vital mechanism in ensuring that the UK state protects its citizens.

Article 2 ECHR places an unreasonable and unworkable burden on UK state institutions.

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Format

Your work must be submitted using a Microsoft Word file format (doc or docx).

Filenames should use only letters, numbers, hyphens and underscores, and should be less than 72 characters in length.

Your work MUST NOT be password protected.

Your work must be double-spaced.

If you have a learning contract that tutors must take account of when marking your work, please include appropriate wording on your script. Contact Disabled Student Support on 0114 225 3964 for further advice if required.

Footnote referencing using only the OSCOLA referencing method MUST be used for this assessment task; the Harvard or APA referencing systems are NOT permitted.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your work is successfully submitted. Always check your email receipt and that your work is viewable via the submission point following each submission.

The word limit for this assessment is 1,800 words. Please note that if your work exceeds this limit, it will be marked up to the word limit only.

The following WILL NOT be included in your word count:

Materials listed in your bibliography, table of cases, table of statutes, or footnotes. Only references should be placed in your footnotes (case citations, statutes, journal articles etc). Any material other than the above which is contained in your footnotes is poor academic practice for the purposes of this assessment and will be disregarded by the marker.

The title of the assessment.

The following WILL be included in your word count:

EVERYTHING in your main text, from the first word you write to the last word. This includes:

case names

statutes and section numbers

quotations

other authority contained in the main text

headings (if used)

The number of words you have used in the assessment must be stated at the end of the main body of your answer.

Submission Arrangements for coursework

The date and time of the submission of your work for this assessment can be found on Blackboard.

For this assessment, you must submit an electronic copy of your completed work by the deadline. Please note the following:

Your work must be submitted via Blackboard - please refer to the Module Blackboard site for further details on how to upload your work.

If you have submitted the wrong work, or need to submit an updated version of your work, Blackboard allows this to be done, but only your final (pre-deadline) submission will be marked.

Coursework sent by fax or by email will not be accepted.

You must retain an electronic copy of your work. Failure to produce a copy on request will result in a mark of zero for the assessment task.

Submission means that a validly formatted electronic copy, in MS Word format, has been submitted in the correct method via Blackboard, by the deadline set. Failure to do so will result in a mark of zero being awarded.

If you are experiencing personal difficulties which may impact on your assessment performance and/or your ability to meet the assessment deadline, you should contact Academic Administration staff via Hallam Help as soon as possible on 0114 225 2543 or via email to: ! SAS Academic Administration - Dept of L&C (SSH) ssh-SASacademicadminLC-mb@exchange.shu.ac.uk.

By submitting your work, you certify that it is your own work, and that the work of other people is duly referenced and acknowledged in accordance with the University's Academic Misconduct Policy. Please note that:

You are required to familiarise yourself with the University's Academic Misconduct Policy (go to ShuSpace, then Rules and Regulations, then Conduct and Discipline). Academic misconduct can have serious repercussions for your academic (and later, professional) career. Please note that all students' work will be subjected to plagiarism checks using text matching software.

Advice on referencing can be found on the module Blackboard site under the Assessment content area.

Assessment Criteria:

Understanding of the topic and identification of the relevant legal issues.

Clarity and accuracy in description of the law and its context.

The ability to conduct appropriate academic legal research.

Selection and use of primary and secondary sources.

Quality of writing, with particular focus on spelling, grammar and syntax.

Presentation of referencing in conformity with the OSCOLA referencing conventions.

Structure and presentation.

Effective conclusions drawing together the key themes/issues.

Pass Descriptor:

In order to pass the assessment, an answer must:

Identify the main issues relevant to the topic.

Demonstrate basic understanding of the key legal issues and context.

Provide evidence of adequate independent research.

Make use of appropriate primary and secondary sources.

Adopt a coherent structure and be written in a manner commensurate with a minimum standard acceptable for an English law degree.

Be presented in line with academic conventions and comply with the required method of referencing (OSCOLA).

Mode of Feedback:

Feedback on your coursework will comprise:

1.Rubric: in the form of a completed assessment rubric (mark matrix) which indicates your performance against the applicable assessment criteria. This rubric will be available via My Grades on the module Blackboard site.

2.Individual feedback: in the form of individualized written feedback on your performance in the assessment task which will comment on the specific strengths and weaknesses of your answer, along with identifying any areas for potential future improvement.

3. One-to-One feedback: on your performance in the assessment is available by attending a coursework feedback seminar or by arranging a meeting with your tutor.

Extensions and Extenuating Circumstances:

If you are unable to meet the assessment deadline, you are advised to complete one of the following forms: either an EER1 or a RRAA. Please also be aware of the differences between Exceptional Extension Requests and a Request to Repeat an Assessment Attempt(go to Students.shu.ac.uk, then Rules and Regulations, then Illness and Difficult Circumstances (https://students.shu.ac.uk/regulations/illness/index.html). Where possible we strongly advise you to speak to Student Services staff (see contact details below) in such circumstances, so that the correct support and advice can be given.

Further Support

Further assessment information can be found on the Module Blackboard site in the content area called Assessment.

If you have any queries relating to the assessment, please contact Alan Reid on 0114 225 6542 or a.s.reid@shu.ac.uk.

Please note: Tutors are not allowed to answer direct questions on the substance of the assessment or comment on drafts or plans.

If you are experiencing personal difficulties which may impact on your assessment performance and/or your ability to meet the assessment deadline, you should contact Student Services staff via the Helpdesk as soon as possible on 0114 225 2543 or via email to: hotcstudentservices@shu.ac.uk.