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LAW2111: EMPLOYMENT LAW

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 2
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2023/24
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Law

Prerequisites

  • Introduction to English Law and Legal Method (LAW 1121) and Law of Torts (LAW 1051) and EU Constitutional Law (LAW 1061) and Contract Law (LAW 1071) and The Individual and the State (LAW 1081) and UK Constitutional Law (LAW 1091) (any of these modules may be taken as co-requisites).

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with a sound understanding of the legal provisions governing the employment relationship.
  • To enable students to develop an insight into current issues and possible future developments in employment law
  • To provide students with the opportunity to develop proficiency with online legal research tools.

Content

  • Introduction to employment law.
  • The role and nature of the institutions of employment law
  • The nature of the employment relationship - employment status.
  • The contract of employment
  • Termination of employment at common law - wrongful dismissal.
  • Unfair dismissal
  • Redundancy and reorganisation
  • Family-friendly policies
  • Discrimination at work.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Students should be able to:
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of the existing law on the employment relationship.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Students should be able to:
  • Apply the existing law to given factual scenarios and advise accordingly
  • Analyse and evaluate the existing law in light of the legal, social, economic and political questions raised
  • Engage in informed debate concerning future changes in the law

Key Skills:

  • Students should be able to:
  • Demonstrate developed analytical and writing skills, including the ability to work independently and to take responsibility for their own learning.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures are used primarily to impart knowledge - and also to suggest approaches to evaluation and critical analysis;
  • Tutorials will be used to develop and enhance students capacity for legal-problem solving in a particular factual situation, evaluative critical analysis and their appreciation of laws' linkage with broader fields of enquiry;
  • Assignments (formative) are used both to develop problem-solving skills, the ability to engage in sustained evaluation of proposed schemes of reforms, and the ability to evaluate the law in a critical and contextual way.
  • Summative assessment comprises one unseen examination. The examination tests the ability to focus on relevant legal issues and organise knowledge and argument appropriate to questions raised. The examination questions will provide the means for students to demonstrate the acquisition of subject knowledge and the development of their problem-solving skills.
  • Students will be supported and encouraged in the development of their research and writing skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures20Weekly1 hour20 
Tutorials5Normally: two in Michaelmas, three in Epiphany1 hour5Yes
Preparation and Reading175 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: ExaminationComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written examination3 hours100yes

Formative Assessment

2 essays of 1,500 words each.

More information

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