LWMHSP-Sourcing the Past

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Rosemary Auchmuty
Email: R.Auchmuty@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to develop and enhance students’ ability critically to evaluate and analyse legal historical sources and the methodological issues which arise in using them. It aims to further develop their understanding of how the creation, availability and form of sources shapes our understanding of legal history and the outcomes of legal historical research.

Aims:
This module aims to develop and enhance students£ ability critically to evaluate and analyse legal historical sources and the methodological issues which arise in using them. It aims to further develop their understanding of how the creation, availability and form of sources shapes our understanding of legal history and the outcomes of legal historical research.

Assessable learning outcomes:

After completing the module, students will:

• be able to analyse and critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of three types of legal historical source;


• be able to analyse and critically evaluate the methodological implications which arise from the use of the sources and how they shape the outcomes of research;


• be able to synthesise wide-ranging material and to articulate arguments effectively and clearly in writing an assessed essay;


• develop their knowledge and understanding of an area of legal history in which they are interested.

Additional outcomes:
This module will also encourage the development of independent learning, as well as communication skills and personal responsibility.

Outline content:
Students will research and write a 12 page essay considering the strengths and weaknesses of three types of source which they are using in research for their dissertation, the methodological implications arising from the use of such sources, and how they shape our understanding of the past.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching and learning is primarily in the form of regular supervision, supplemented by classes according to student interest and staff availability.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision		2
Guided independent study:		198
Total hours by term		200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
12 page essay (formulated in accordance with the School of Law£s Assessed Work Rules) on three types of source which they are using in the dissertation.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres 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 (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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:
50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
As for the original assessment, but a mark in a passed element can be carried forward.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022