LW2REL-Religion and Law

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Ms Sharon Sinclair-Graham
Email: sharon.sinclair-graham@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This second-year option is designed to help students understand the intersectionality of law with a variety of different areas of religion and how different religions impact on the law.  It looks to cultivate critical understanding of the role of religion in law. 

Aims:

The module to aims to provide both theoretical and critical knowledge of this intersectionality and will provide a wide ranges of perspectives of religious freedom within the English Legal System as well as International Human Rights. 

You will examine the interrelationship between law and the other social and cultural elements whilst adopting key employability skills required of a good law student.

Specific topics may change on a yearly basis.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate a good understanding of the law and definitions of religion from varying socio-legal perspectives.


• Recognition of freedom of religion and its impact on the English Legal System and interaction with key legislation


• Students will also develop research and critical analytical skills especially when interpreting cases and legislation.


• Students should be able to identify the relevant principles of law and how these are used in the contexts of society


• Demonstrate an ability to apply core legal and transferable skills, particularly skills of legal research, analysis, writing, and oral presentation to definite factual situations and problems


• Identify fundamental legal rules and apply these rules when considering legal issues


• Formulate and evaluate more complex legal arguments.

Additional outcomes:

• Students will develop research skills and technology skills in preparing for and completing these exercises


• Students will improve their presentation, communication and debating skills


• Students will be required to work in groups in workshops, so will improve their teamwork skills

Outline content:

Lectures will deal with the following topics over the course of the module:

• Influence of Religion on Healthcare Law


• Shari'a Law and Women's Rights


• Religion and International Human Rights


• Children and Religion in Family Law


• Religion and Charity Law


• Religious Exemptions and Freedom of Conscience


• Discrimination on the basis of religion and ethnicity


• Gender and Religion


• Race and Law


• Religion and Feminism


• Answering Problem Questions

These topics may be subject to change based on the availability of lecturers.

Global context:

This module looks at religion from many different countries and how these religions impact on the global stage as well as national law.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The students will have a combination of lectures and workshops.  The workshops will work with students on solving problems and identifying the law and how it interacts with religion in specific cases.  The lectures will be an introduction to the subject matter and students are then encouraged to undertake research prior to their workshop.

Workshops will be larger groups of 30 students per group.

Autumn Term

There will be a 2-hour lecture every other week starting in week 1 of the Autumn Term then a lecture in week 3, 5, 7 and 9 – Total hours = 10 hours

Autumn – 2-hour seminars in week 2, 4, 8, 10 – Total Hours = 8 hours

Spring Term

In the Spring Term there will be a 2 hour lecture every other week starting in week 1 then a lecture in week 3, 5 , 7, 9 and 11 – Total hours = 12 hours

Spring – 2-hour seminars in week 2, 4, 8, 10  - Total Hours = 8 hours

Drop Ins- Week 11 of each term – 1 hour online

Assessment – Individual  Presentation – 3 -hour additional seminar in week 11 Autumn Term.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10	12
Seminars	8	8
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	72	70
Preparation for presentations	10	10
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	70
Oral assessment and presentation	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Individual Presentation – 3 minutes long – Week 11

Presentation in class – week 11 Autumn Term – Extra Session to be scheduled.

Pre-seen Problem Question – To be submitted the first week of Summer Term after Easter – limited to 5 pages

Formative assessment methods:

Problem Question plan to be handed in week 7 (Spring Term) for feedback – this will be based on the summative problem question – this will be limited to 1 page

Problem Question to be released in Week 5 of Spring Term

Penalties for late submission:

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:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

A pre-seen problem question worth 100% - restricted to 5 pages.

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: 11 September 2023