7H014E - Independent Study in Law 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 0
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | 7H014E | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Independent Study in Law | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | ||
| Faculty Group: | Law | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Law | ||
| Module Leader: | Rachel Thomas | ||
| Module Team: | Hannah Menard, Adam Collins, Hayley Brain | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2026 | Final Year of Intake: | 2031 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 15 | Credit Level: | 7 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100485 - law | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 0 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2026 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2032 |
Module Aims
To equip students with a sound understanding of advanced legal research methods, source evaluation and legal writing.
To develop students' ability to investigate, analyse and evaluate a legal issue through independent research.
To enhance students' ability to communicate reasoned and evidence-based conclusions on issues relating to intellectual property law, policy or practice
Content Summary
The module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth investigation of a legal issue relevant to intellectual property law, policy or practice through independent research and critical analysis. Students will select a research topic from an approved list of areas offered by the teaching team or, with the agreement of the Module Leader, propose an alternative topic aligned to the aims of the programme. Building on knowledge and skills developed elsewhere on the programme, students will identify and refine a focused research question, conduct a structured review of relevant primary and secondary sources, and apply appropriate legal research methodologies to evaluate complex legal, policy and practical issues.
The module places particular emphasis on the development of advanced legal research skills, including database searching, source evaluation, literature review techniques, legal writing and evidence-based analysis. Through supported independent learning and academic supervision, students will develop the ability to formulate research problems, synthesise diverse sources and construct well-reasoned legal arguments. The module contributes to the overall aims of the programme by fostering intellectual independence, critical reflection, learner autonomy and the effective communication of research findings within academic and professional contexts
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Workshop | 3 |
| Supervision | 3 |
| Independent Study | 132 |
| Directed Study | 12 |
| Total Hours Selected | 150 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Critically analyse and evaluate the law, policy and scholarship relevant to the chosen area of study. |
| LO2 | Conduct independent legal research using appropriate methodologies and sources and communicate reasoned and defensible conclusions in response to a defined research question. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Project | Synchronous, Online, Individual | 0 | 3000 | 100 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Project | ✔ | ✔ | |