LA984-60 Dissertation, Research and Writing Seminar
Introductory description
The aim of the module is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to develop critical reading, writing and research skills in preparation for undertaking independent research and writing up academic work.
This module brings together experts from the Law School, Library and Student Careers and Skills.
The module is taught in Term 1 and Term 2 with revision sessions in Term 3.
Note that LLM IDLHR students will take this module as a 0 CAT module, with their dissertation assessed instead through LA951.
Module aims
The Legal Research and Writing Skills module is a core component of the taught LLM programme. It is designed primarily to prepare students for the research and writing requirements associated with the dissertation element of the LLM programme. However, students will also find it useful in relation to other independent research and writing tasks encountered during the course of the programme.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Mastering Your Masters
Developing and Applying Critical Reading Skills
Developing Research and Writing Skills
Choosing a Dissertation Topic
Conducting a Literature Survey
Good Academic Practice
Choosing Your Dissertation Topic
Dissertation Planning
Project Planning and Management
Specialist Dissertation Research
Building, Structuring and Articulating Arguments
Working with Feedback
Peer Learning
The Future of Academic Research
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- By the end of the module, students will have acquired knowledge of how to conduct legal research and write an academic dissertation of approximately the same length as a law review article
- Will be able to identify suitable research issues
- Formulate appropriate research questions; find, evaluate and use relevant information sources; undertake a critical analysis of literature relevant to a chosen research topic
- Develop a sustained written argument
Indicative reading list
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Research element
It is designed primarily to prepare students for the research and writing requirements associated with the dissertation element of the LLM programme. However, students will also find it useful in relation to other independent research and writing tasks encountered during the course of the programme.
Subject specific skills
No subject specific skills defined for this module.
Transferable skills
No transferable skills defined for this module.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 12 sessions of 1 hour (2%) |
| Seminars | 6 sessions of 1 hour (1%) |
| Practical classes | 2 sessions of 1 hour 30 minutes (0%) |
| Private study | 579 hours (96%) |
| Total | 600 hours |
Private study description
No private study requirements defined for this module.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100% | |
|
8-10000 word dissertation |
||
Feedback on assessment
Feedback via Tabula
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of TIMA-L981 Postgraduate Social Science Research
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 1 of TLAA-M3PJ Postgraduate Taught Advanced Legal Studies
- Year 1 of TLAA-M223 Postgraduate Taught International Commercial Law
- Year 1 of TLAS-M3P7 Postgraduate Taught International Economic Law
- Year 1 of TLAS-M221 Postgraduate Taught LLM in International Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation