LW3RWC: Research Writing Credit

Module code: LW3RWC

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr David Wilde, email: d.c.wilde@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): This module is only available to LLB students, or with permission of the Module Convenor. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The Research Writing Credit is a piece of assessed written work which allows a student independently to research a selected topic and produce an extended critical essay, after a lengthy period of reflection. The module allows the School to evaluate a student’s ability to research a topic, critically analyse it, develop an argument, use and cite legal and other materials correctly and to do so within a specified number of pages (and to a specific format).

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Identify and apply research agendas
2. Work independently
3. Develop an analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critique of a topic
4. Write in conventional legal style, including correct citation practice

Module content

During the option selection process for the final year, a wide range of possible titles covering a diversity of legal research areas will be published. Students will select three titles they wish to write on in order of preference. A list which title each student has been allocated will then be published at the start of the summer preceding the final year: titles will be assigned to students who do not make a selection.

Essays must be submitted by the required date, which will be specified when the titles are distributed.

Students must comply with the School of Law Assessed Work Rules, as set out in the LLB Programme Handbook.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

One piece of introductory reading on the research topic will be indicated.

There will be one general lecture each term: on researching and writing the essay.

Otherwise, no assistance will be provided by any member of staff with respect to the essay, beyond the introductory reading and general lectures. No drafts or plans of essays may be submitted to any member of staff.

Study hours

At least 2 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 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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/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.

Reassessment

Additional costs