LW0LA1M: Introduction to Foundations of Law (English Legal System)

Module code: LW0LA1M

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: F

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Chang Wang , email: chang.wang@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE 1 MODULE FROM (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 24 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The overarching educational aim of this module is to introduce students to the conceptual legal framework for the study of law which will facilitate the recognition and appreciation of the overall mosaic of public and private laws with the legal system.  

In this module, students will be provided with the fundamental grounding of the main principles of the English Legal System and the basic concepts of criminal law. ​  ​ 

In addition to the imparting of legal knowledge, this module encourages students to not only engage in evaluating and analysing legal issues, selecting relevant materials to produce legal arguments encompassing policies, existing practices, and knowledge, but also to include theorising and critiquing legal concepts. ​

Specific topics may change on a yearly basis. 

The Module Lead at the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Malaysia is Alamelmangai Ananthakumar, 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure, personnel, and functions of the English legal system.​ 
2. Apply techniques of ordered thinking and the skills necessary to solve legal problems in criminal law.​ 
3. Formulate legal arguments clearly and succinctly and draw appropriate conclusions.​ 
4. Evaluate the awareness of the changing nature of law in society. 

Module content

An introduction to some basic principles of the constitution: sources, parliamentary sovereignty; the rule of law; separation of powers. These principles provide a background to a more detailed study of the English legal system: sources of law to include the legislative process, statutory interpretation, judicial precedent, common law and equity, EU law, the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998 and institutions of the English Legal System.  This module also introduces to the students the basic elements of criminal law, proceedings, the hierarchy of the courts, the judiciary, and the jury.   

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

There will be a 4-hour lecture (3 hours on campus and 1 hour online) per week for a total of 11 weeks (total 44 hours per semester) supported with 10 tutorial sessions 2 hours per session per week (total 20 hours per semester).  

The tutorial sessions will focus on formative activities (for example including debates, problem questions, group presentations) which the students will need to prepare in advance and bring to the relevant tutorial. We will be encouraging questions and peer review from the observing students. There is an expectation of whole-class participation.  

Brief description of T&L methods:  In addition to the hours listed below, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA)

Study hours

At least 64 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Level 3 (i.e. foundation modules for Part 0) and Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

• Blackboard Online Quiz to assess knowledge and understanding of the subject matter 
• Essay & Problem Question Outline Writing 

Reassessment

Additional costs