Course Details in 2023/24 Session

Module Title	LI Decolonising Legal Concepts for Graduates
School	Birmingham Law School
Department	Law
Module Code	08 33523
Module Lead	Emma Oakley
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-15 hours Seminar-5 hours Supervised time in studio/workshop-5 hours Guided independent study-175 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Decolonising Legal Concepts critically examines key legal constructs in their social, economic, historical and political contexts. It will equip students to reflect critically on the way legacies of empire, inequality and oppression intersect with and continue to inform law’s subjects, objects, and its construction. The module will do this by examining, both theoretically and empirically, critical questions such as: Who/what is a person under the law? What is the public (interest/domain)? What is the United Kingdom and how did it come about? What is the nation state and how did it come about? What is the rule of law and how is it (if at all) distinct from or linked to domination? What is law enforcement and how is (if at all) distinct from or linked to illegitimate coercion? Students’ interrogation of these concepts will be concretised through historical and contemporary case studies. As such, this module will complement students’ doctrinal learning, understanding, and use of legal concepts by providing them with the tools to recognise and reflect upon their social, economic, historical and political underpinnings.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate a good understanding of theoretically and empirically informed postcolonial, decolonial and other relevant critiques of key legal concepts. Exhibit an ability to apply those critiques to concrete issues. Evaluate diverse viewpoints on individual topics, drawing on relevant legal materials and scholarship. Develop arguments that synthesize diverse viewpoints on individual topics, drawing on relevant legal materials and scholarship. Reflect critically on legal concepts in their social, economic, historical and political contexts, including through case study analysis.
Assessment	33523-02 : Essay : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: One 3,000 words essay (100%) Reassessment: Resit failed component(s)
Other
Reading List