Law: the individual and the state
On this page
This course builds on the knowledge and skills developed in Understanding law (W200) and examines a further two Foundations of Legal Knowledge: public law and criminal law. Public law considers the relationship between citizen and state; the structure of state institutions; how government action may be challenged (judicial review); the legal values that determine a citizen’s rights and duties; and an outline of civil liberties law. Criminal law considers criminal liability in the context of particular criminal offences; the requirements of specific defences; areas where criminal law is considered flawed; and proposals for reform. The course deals principally with the law of England and Wales.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Law.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | W201 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 9 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
This second-level course is for students who already have a good knowledge of the English legal system and method building on the knowledge and skills developed in Rules, rights and justice: an introduction to law (W100) and Understanding law (W200). It covers two of the Foundations of Legal Knowledge: (1) Public Law (sometimes known as Constitutional and Administrative Law) and (2) Criminal Law. The course is split equally between these two areas.
The course will enable you to:
- understand how public power can be subjected to law; the role of fundamental values; how the power of institutions can be defined; how the law defines the state and allocates power within the UK
- understand how procedure can be an element of control; how conflicts between institutions are resolved; how conflicts between the state and individuals are resolved; how the law defines and protects human rights
- understand how a legal approach to analysis of public power differs from other approaches (historical or political)
- understand the limits of legal controls on public power (political and social context)
- understand the principles of criminal law; what conduct and state of mind must be proved for a person to be convicted of a criminal offence
- define the elements of particular crimes such as murder, burglary and theft
- understand the requirements of defences including infancy, insanity, duress, intoxication, loss of control and diminished responsibility
- be able to apply the legal concepts you encounter to factual scenarios, developing your skills of analysis and problem solving
- acquire the confidence to reflect critically on the current state of the law, appreciating that in many areas the criminal law is widely felt to be flawed or inconsistent; and be aware of proposals for reform.
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
- assimilate and organise extensive factual and legal material, and present a reasoned, coherent and personal view
- 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
This course will be a good choice if you have taken Understanding law (W200) and intend to obtain a qualifying law degree or if you have studied the law before, and want to develop your understanding of public and criminal law. This could be either out of general interest or because some legal knowledge would be useful in your work.
The course assumes that you already have a grounding in the English legal system and up-to-date awareness (though no in detail) of the Foundations of Legal Knowledge (e.g. criminal law, law of obligations (contract and tort)). If you haven’t studied for some time, we strongly advise you to take Rules, rights and justice: an introduction to law (W100) before starting this course. If you haven’t studied law before, we strongly advise you to take Understanding law (W200) first.
This is a Level 2 course and so builds on your Level 1 study with The Open University or from equivalent work at another university. 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.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The written study material is available in a comb-bound format and written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. The study 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 publication Meeting your needs.
You can also find information about accessible study 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.
Study materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials and access to certain legal databases. Access to a website that offers online resources and course news.
You will need
This course may offer online tutorials in the future, in which case you will need a headset with a microphone and earphones to take part.
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 2005 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 be allocated a tutor who will give you guidance on your work, and will offer academic support wherever he or she can. Your tutor will assess and give feedback on your course assignments. We expect to offer group tutorials which may be face to face or, in some sparsely populated areas may be offered online. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Although you are not obliged to attend any of these, you are strongly encouraged to take part.
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 complete all the assessment as it is an integral part of the teaching. The substitution rule will not apply for this course.
Professional recognition
This course 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. You can view or download our Recognition leaflet 3.13 Law for further information. 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.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Law.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | W201 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 9 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
A fantastic combination of the three Public Law areas; Crime, Administrative and Constitutional Law very well presented and nicely condensed ...
Read more
A fantastic combination of the three Public Law areas; Crime, Administrative and Constitutional Law very well presented and nicely condensed ...
Read more
Your questions
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Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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