LWMHSP-Sourcing the Past

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Rosemary Auchmuty
Email: R.Auchmuty@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to develop and enhance students’ ability critically to evaluate and analyse legal historical sources and the methodological issues which arise in using them. It aims to further develop their understanding of how the creation, availability and form of sources shapes our understanding of legal history and the outcomes of legal historical research.

Aims:
This module aims to develop and enhance studentsô€€’ ability critically to evaluate and analyse legal historical sources and the methodological issues which arise in using them. It aims to further develop their understanding of how the creation, availability and form of sources shapes our understanding of legal history and the outcomes of legal historical research.

Assessable learning outcomes:
After completing the module, students will:

• be able to analyse and critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of three types of legal historical source;
• be able to analyse and critically evaluate the methodological implications which arise from the use of the sources and how they shape the outcomes of research;
• be able to synthesise wide-ranging material and to articulate arguments effectively and clearly in writing an assessed essay;
• develop t heir knowledge and understanding of an area of legal history in which they are interested.

Additional outcomes:
This module will also encourage the development of independent learning, as well as communication skills and personal responsibility.

Outline content:
Students will research and write a 12 page essay considering the strengths and weaknesses of three types of source which they are using in research for their dissertation, the methodological implications arising from the use of such sources, and how they shape our understanding of the past.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching and learning is primarily in the form of regular supervision, supplemented by classes according to student interest and staff availability.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
12 page essay (formulated in accordance with the School of Lawô€€’s Assessed Work Rules) on three types of source which they are using in the dissertation.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: