Employment law and practice
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This course considers the characteristics of modern employment law relating to individuals. It looks at the characteristics of a contract of employment and issues relating to claims for breach of contract, unfair dismissal and redundancy. It also examines discrimination legislation relating to employment rights, and how the law has developed ‘family-friendly’ rights to employees. This course will be of interest if you’re seeking to develop your experience and understanding, or if you’ve taken Understanding law (W200), as it builds upon skills developed in that course. 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 | W221 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 9 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| 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 is a 30-credit course suitable for study if you have an interest in the area of employment law and practice, or as part of the free-choice element of the LLB. W221 is suitable for study if you already have a good knowledge of the English legal system and method, and may be of particular interest if you have taken Understanding law (W200) or Rules, rights and justice: an introduction to law (W100), which introduces you to the English legal system but not to online legal research.
The course considers the development and characteristics of the modern employment relationship. It explores the rules that have developed to distinguish an employee from other workers, the formation of the contract of employment, terms of a contract of employment, the consequences of a breach of the contract of employment and the available remedies. Also considered are the rules relating to claims for wrongful dismissal, unfair dismissal and statutory redundancy. Statutory rights of individual employees, such as protection from different forms of discrimination and the provision of family-friendly rights have recently been consolidated and strengthened and the course covers developments in this area. Employment law is heavily influenced by the EU and social policy and their impact on the growth of this dynamic area is also considered. In addition to this knowledge and understanding you will be provided with the opportunity to develop a range of associated skills including:
- the basic principles of drafting the terms of a contract of employment
- organise and assimilate legal, numerical and factual material and provide reasoned advice about such material
- problem solving by identifying material facts and legal issues, applying legal principles and exceptions to find solutions
- distinguish similar factual situations by reference to legal principles
- identify issues which require researching and use paper and electronic primary and secondary legal resources.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course and you will need the study skills required for this level of study, which may have been obtained either from Level 2 study with the OU or from another university.
While this course can be studied on a stand-alone basis it assumes that you already have knowledge and understanding of the English legal system. We strongly advise you to study both Rules, rights and justice: an introduction to law (W100) (if you are a non-graduate) and Understanding law (W200) before starting this Level 2 course.
Please note that W221 covers online legal research which is not taught in W100 but is covered in W200.
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. The study materials (excluding text books) may be available on CD-ROM in 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
Two course manuals, a case book. Access to a course website that offers forums, resources for learning, news items and access, via the OU library, to legal databases for research purposes.
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 2005 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 cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
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 study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Your tutor will also run online tutorials that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to take part in. You will probably have about 25 hours of such tuition.
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) and end-of-module assessment (EMA) 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 or EMA on paper.
The end-of-module assessment (EMA) is a project.
Professional recognition
If you are intending to count this towards the free-choice element of 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 2012. 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 | W221 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 9 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| 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.
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Your questions
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