Introductory description
This module seeks to give a considered overview and coherent picture of the rules and principles governing the operation of government and administration in the UK
All of us are involved in one way or another with government and administration in this country, whether as students receiving education, students seeking entry into the country for purposes of study, university teachers, whose salaries come via the University Funding Council (a quango) from government, or as citizens or aliens - in themselves words of constitutional import - seeking to exercise certain rights (another constitutional word).
Module web page
Module aims
The module seeks to give a considered overview and coherent picture of the rules and principles governing the operation of government and administration in the UK: how we have arrived at where we are, why the rules and principles are as they are, and what future developments we should be aware of.
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.
The introduction of the Human Rights Act 1998, devolution for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and a Freedom of Information Act has a major significance on the United Kingdom's Constitution.
Reform of the House of Lords and the creation of a Ministry of Justice, reform of the Office of Lord Chancellor are also considered.
We also examine the impact of the European Union on UK domestic law.
The module is not and cannot be taught in a political and public affairs vacuum - the intermingling of law, politics and
society will occur throughout.
The module is not, however, a module in politics; you will be assumed to know the essentials about government and politics in the UK.
Special attention is given to judicial review and the role of the Administrative Law Court.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Formulate an understanding of the main characteristics of the UK's constitution including administrative law
- Consider the role of Parliament and accountability
- Describe and assess the role of the UK's Parliament, courts and the doctrine of the separation of powers.
- Explain the main elements of public law, EU law, police powers, central and local government,
- Evaluate the role of UK sovereignty and the rule of law
- Explain the role of conventions;
- Explain and analyse administrative law including good administration
- Assess reform of the UK Constitution.
Indicative reading list
A. W. Bradley, K. D. Ewing, Christopher Knight, Constitutional and Administrative Law 16th edition, Harlow: Pearson
Publishing, 2015
Mark Elliott, Robert Thomas, Public Law, 2nd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014
View reading list on Talis Aspire
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 |
36 sessions of 1 hour (12%)
|
| Seminars |
14 sessions of 1 hour (5%)
|
| Private study |
250 hours (83%)
|
| Total |
300 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 B3
|
Weighting |
Study time |
Eligible for self-certification |
|
Online Examination
|
100%
|
|
No
|
- Online examination: No Answerbook required
|
Feedback on assessment
Face to face feedback by student request in October. Generic feedback provided via Moodle.
Past exam papers for LA201
Courses
This module is Core for:
-
Year 3 of
ULAA-ML34 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M300 Undergraduate Law
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M105 Undergraduate Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M106 Undergraduate Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M104 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M108 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M10A Undergraduate Law with French Law (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M10C Undergraduate Law with German Law (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M110 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (3 Year)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M111 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (3 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M112 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (4 Year)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M113 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (4 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M114 Undergraduate Law with Social Sciences (3 Year)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M115 Undergraduate Law with Social Sciences (3 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 2 of
ULAA-M116 Undergraduate Law with Social Sciences (4 Year)
This module is Core optional for:
-
Year 4 of
UIBA-MN34 Law and Business Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 5 of
UIBA-MN37 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
This module is Optional for:
-
UIBA-MN34 Law and Business Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 3 of
MN34 Law and Business Studies Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 4 of
MN34 Law and Business Studies Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 3 of
UIBA-MN31 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
-
UIBA-MN32 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
-
Year 3 of
MN32 Law and Business Studies (Four-Year)
-
Year 4 of
MN32 Law and Business Studies (Four-Year)
-
UIBA-MN35 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
-
Year 3 of
MN35 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
-
Year 4 of
MN35 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
-
Year 5 of
UIBA-MN36 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
-
Year 3 of
ULAA-ML33 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
-
UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 2 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 3 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 4 of
UPHA-V7MX Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Unusual option for:
-
UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 2 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 3 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 4 of
UPHA-V7MX Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Core option list A for:
-
Year 2 of
UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
This module is Option list E for:
-
Year 2 of
UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law