An introduction to law in contemporary Scotland
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| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown.
Summary
This course looks at law making in contemporary Scotland. It considers the role of both the Scottish Parliament and Courts in law making, looking at the structure of the court system and the role of the judiciary. It explores the relationship between the law making power of the Scottish and Westminster Parliaments. It introduces you to some specific areas of Scots law, including the law relating to human rights and children. This course will be of particular interest to anyone needing an overview of the Scottish legal system, and will provide an excellent beginning for students who want to understand how modern Scotland works.
Course content
The course begins by asking you to think about the question What is law? It introduces you to the legal history of Scotland before moving on to look at the role of the Scottish Parliament in the law-making process and its relationship with the Westminster Parliament. You will then be introduced to the structure of the court system in Scotland. This includes an overview of court procedure, how different courts relate to each other and the role of the judiciary.
The course moves on to consider specific topics such as child law where you will learn about parental rights and duties and The Children’s Hearing System. You will also explore employment law, human rights and unlawful conduct.
As part of your studies you will be provided with opportunities to develop your general study skills, including those specifically relevant to studying law. Throughout the course you will undertake a number of activities to develop both your knowledge and skills. The course ends with a conclusion that brings together your knowledge and skills by looking at a number of legal topical issues.
During the course, you’ll learn to define and use some legal terms and concepts; and to identify characteristics of a legal argument. As well as some specific legal skills, you will learn to:
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- take notes efficiently and effectively
- select and summarise material in our own words
- apply information accurately and carefully to a well-defined problem
- apply appropriate knowledge and skills to the solution of an issue
- analyse tasks and make plans for tackling them
- identify and critically evaluate relevant information
- communicate effectively in an appropriate and accurate written form.
Vocational relevance
The course develops vocationally orientated skills that are transferable to the job market: good written and communication skills; critical thinking; ability to analyse, synthesise, reflect on and present arguments; and problem solving.
An introduction to law in contemporary Scotland is designed to provide an introduction to the law and legal system in Scotland, and is not part of the direct route to qualification as a solicitor in Scotland. It does however provide an excellent foundation for a wide range of further study with The Open University.
Entry
As this is a Level 1 introductory course, we do not require you to have prior experience of studying Scots law. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Outside the UK
Please note that this course is only concerned with the law of Scotland.
Qualifications
W150 is an optional course in our
- BA (Honours) Business Studies (B04)
- BA (Hons) Leadership and Management (B54)
- Certificate in Business Studies (C63)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Business (E42)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Leadership and Management (E43)
- Foundation Degree in Business (G07)
- Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management (G08)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material may be available. Some components may not be fully accessible using a screen reader. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
A study calendar, course manuals, assessment guide and course website.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor with whom you can communicate by email, telephone and post, who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper. The end-of-course assessment (ECA) must be submitted on paper.
These pieces of assessed work are an essential part of the course and you should attempt all of them. You will be given more detailed information about assessment and feedback when you begin the course.
Professional recognition
If you are intending to use this course as part of the free choice for the LLB, and you hope to enter the legal professions, you should read carefully our Recognition leaflet 3.13 Law. There are different entry regulations into the legal professions in England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. You should read the Recognition leaflet as it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet these requirements.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2010. We expect it to be available at the same time once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Law.
Study explained
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- Level
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- Study explained
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Student Reviews
I disagree with the previous comment posted here. The course was in it's first presentation last winter and, as with ...
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Very poor. Course materials badly proofread with many errors. Weak tutoring. Not recommended. Buy Walker, Scottish Legal System, instead: enjoy ...
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The W150 Course Team is disappointed to learn that this student was not satisfied with their study experience. OU course ...
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