- Course Code
- LS 1521
- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr A Perry
Pre-requisites
None.
Overview
The course will cover: the concept of constitutional law and constitutions; human rights as a control on government; UK constitution and sources of the UK constitution; Parliamentary supremacy; the rule of law; the separation of powers; Human Rights Act 1998 & European Convention on Human Rights and their operation in practice; freedom of information; composition, powers and functions of the UK Parliament and government; devolution and its impact on the UK; composition, powers and functions of the Scottish Parliament and government; local government in Scotland; right to protest; role of the courts in public law; freedom of expression.
Structure
3 one-hour lectures per week and a programme of 4 one-hour tutorials during the course.
Assessment
1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (75%) and continuous assessment (1,500 word essay) (25%).
Resit: 1 two-hour examination (75%) and in-course assessment (25%) (carried forward from previous sitting).
Formative Assessment
WebCT quizzes on key topics which allow students to test their knowledge and understanding and to obtain feedback on their answers. Each quiz can be taken as many times as the student wishes and can be used as revision tools.
Feedback
Formative assessment
Feedback is to be provided as part of the answers to questions in the WebCT quizzes.
Summative assessment
Essay - feedback is to be provided on an individual basis by comments on each student's essay. A feedback sheet will be produced that will contain details of the appropriate approach and information concerning commonly encountered errors. There will also be a feedback session for the whole class where the feedback will be discussed and questions answered.
Exam - individual feedback on performance in available on request.