Understanding law
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| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This introduction to the creation and application of English law begins by asking ‘What is the law?’; teaches you to find, read, interpret and apply the law; and introduces the techniques of practical legal research. Ideal if you’re considering a legal career, it provides a brief overview of constitutional principles, criminal law, human rights, and the law of contract and tort. You will then study the terminology and sources of law, legal research and the workings of the EC in depth. The other foundations of legal knowledge are covered by our courses W201, W300 and W301. The course deals principally with the law of England and Wales.
Course content
This second-level course forms a compulsory part of the LLB degree and is suitable for study by those who have taken Rules, rights and justice: an introduction to law (W100) or those who have an interest in law and have experience of Level 1 study.
At least a third of the course is devoted to EC law, reflecting its ever increasing relevance both to businesses and to individuals. You will consider the supremacy of EC law, the single internal market, social policy, consumer protection and the freedom of movement of workers, goods and services. This is a dynamic and much debated area and you will explore the relevant legal principles, the reasons for their development and what changes may mean for the future.
The course has been designed to develop and raise your legal awareness and provide you with an in-depth knowledge of key aspects of the legal system in England and Wales, an understanding of legal methodology and the principles and methods of legal research.
In addition to knowledge and understanding, the course will provide you with an opportunity to develop subject specific and general study skills suitable for study at Level 2. These include:
- the ability to identify relevant facts and issues and apply legal principles in an orderly way
- the ability to assimilate and organise extensive factual and legal material, and present a reasoned, coherent view
- to evaluate and make critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments
- assimilate and present arguments based on course manuals, standard text books and wider directed reading
- appreciate and demonstrate the techniques of legal argument
- access, comprehend and use paper based and online legal resources.
Entry
The course is suitable for a broad range of students and will be a good choice if you:
- have a general interest in the law or would like to increase your legal knowledge and understanding
- would find some legal knowledge useful in your work
- intend to study other areas of the law as part of a qualifying law degree.
You are not required to have studied law before, but this is a Level 2 course. If you are new to study at university level, or are returning after some time, we recommend that you first study Rules, rights and justice: an introduction to law (W100). 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 England and Wales.
Qualifications
W200 is a compulsory course in our
- Diploma in English Law (E06)
- Diploma in Law and French (E09)
- BA (Honours) Business Studies (B04) (with Law)
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (B05)
W200 is an optional course in our
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
The written course material is available in a comb-bound format and written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. The course materials (excluding text books) may be available on CD-ROM in Adobe (PDF) format. Some components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. You will need to spend time using a personal computer and the internet. 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
Course books, other printed materials, DVD and access to certain legal databases.
You will need
A DVD player.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows 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. Please note that you can use an Apple Mac or Linux computer if you can run Windows using Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. There will be a study day on the use of a law library (including library exercises), which will be held at one of the College of Law’s five branches in Guildford, Birmingham, London, York and Chester. If you intend to gain a qualifying law degree, you should attend this day. We expect to offer group tutorials which you are strongly encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
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.
You must complete all the assessment as it is an integral part of the teaching. The substitution rule does not apply for this course.
Professional recognition
This course, together with the other three compulsory 60-point law courses and a further 120 points from Open University courses or from transferred credit, can contribute to a degree that is recognised as a qualifying law degree. It is acceptable for completing the academic stage of training as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales, as long as you comply with the requirements of the Professional Bodies. Ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for 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 February 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.
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An undergraduate course in Business and Management and Law.
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Student Reviews
A very interesting course. Involves a lot of reading and studying law involves a completely different way of working to ...
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I thought the course was extremely interesting and enjoyed doing it very much. I specifically enjoyed the areas on European ...
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