Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LH Dissertation on a Prescribed Legal Topic
School	Birmingham Law School
Department	Law
Module Code	08 22348
Module Lead	Sean Coyle
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Full Term
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Project supervision-5 hours Guided independent study-195 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	A list is distributed showing the areas from which topics may be chosen, indicating the members of staff willing to supervise dissertations in each area. The topic for an essay is formulated with the agreement of a member of staff who will act as the student's supervisor and is subject to the formal approval by or on behalf of the Head of School. Students are allowed to write only one such dissertation.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module the student should be able to: Demonstrate advanced level of legal research and writing skills as follows: Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the area chosen as the dissertation topic, both specifically and its wider context; Apply the acquired knowledge to produce an analytical account of the dissertation topic; Engage in informed critical analysis of the law covered by the specialist area selected for the dissertation; Retrieve up-to-date information on the dissertation topic, by use of paper and electronic sources; Make a personal and reasoned judgment based on an informed understanding of standard arguments in the area covered by the chosen dissertation topic; Use word-processing and standard library and information retrieval systems; Demonstrate proficiency in the use of English language and legal terminology, both orally and in writing; Interact, engage and discuss academically with the supervisor at an appropriate level and to share academic views about the selected topic.
Assessment	22348-01 : Dissertation : Dissertation (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: One 6,000 words essay (100%) Reassessment: Resit failed component(s)
Other	None
Reading List