IF1NUL1-Research and Writing Skills (Legal English) 1 (NUIST-Reading Academy)

Module Provider: International Study and Language Institute
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: LW0LAWNU Introduction to the English Legal System
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: IF1NUL2 Research and Writing Skills (Legal English) 2
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Mr Sebastian Watkins

Email: s.a.watkins@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is delivered at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology.  It will build on the Foundation Year module, an Introduction to the English Legal System, to further develop your spoken and written English Language skills in a legal and academic context in order to enable you to study Law more effectively at university level.

Aims:

The aims of this module are to develop your:

• range of legal and academic vocabulary


• reading comprehension skills in an academic legal context


• ability to make effective use of sources in your written work


• research skills in a legal and academic context

In addition, the module hopes to develop your:

• ability to communicate legal ideas effectively in spoken English


• listening comprehension skills in a legal and academic context

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completing this module, you should be able to:

• use a broader range of legal and academic vocabulary and fixed phrases more accurately


• summarise and paraphrase information from written texts on legal topics more effectively


• communicate more effectively in written English on legal topics

Additional outcomes:

On completing this module, you should also be able to:

• follow and take notes in academic lectures more effectively


• present your ideas more effectively in spoken English


• participate more effectively in seminars

Outline content:

The module will be based on selected units from English for Law in Higher Education Studies by Jeremy Walenn. The development of your written and spoken English, and your legal academic study skills, will be within the context of topics such as Landmarks in law, Crimes and civil wrongs, Computers in Law, the Theft Act, Contract Law and Employment Law. This legal contextualisation of the key skills and language covered in the module will therefore serve to consolidate or deepen your u nderstanding of a range of legal issues, many of which will form part of your concurrent or future Law modules.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The principal method of instruction will be classroom-based learning, employing an interactive  learner-centred methodology, in which group and pairwork will form an integral part. Learners will be expected to participate actively in class.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Practicals classes and workshops	64
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	5
Wider reading (directed)	5
Advance preparation for classes	5
Preparation for presentations	1
Preparation for seminars	5
Revision and preparation	15
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Class test administered by School	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One written test to take place in the final week of the semester

Formative assessment methods:

One in-class practice written test

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• 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[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/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.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-sit of class test (100%)

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 21 August 2020