External summary

Global law is a scholarly and professional discipline that applies a global perspective to legal theory and practice. At Edinburgh, students will learn to think about legal issues, structures and problems beyond the boundaries of any particular legal system, yet rooted in the understanding of the complexity and challenges of the globalised society we live in. Students will thus benefit from a particularly strong focus on comparative and transnational legal methods. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of global problems, there are links with the other disciplines across the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Students will also learn in the University and beyond, developing their global perspective and networks through a compulsory third year abroad at programme-specific partner law schools that span six continents.

Educational aims of programme

??         develop a sophisticated and critical understanding of law from a global perspective and its links with related academic fields;

??         develop a deep understanding of the role of law and lawyers in historic and contemporary processes of globalisation and transnationalisation, including those of slavery and colonialism, from perspectives across the Global North and South;

??         advance knowledge and understanding of the theories and methods which underpin the study and practice of global law;

??         develop academic skills and personal transferable skills which have vocational relevance;

??         develop a foundation upon which graduates of the programme will be able to build future professional development and make an effective and critically-informed contribution to the development of more inclusive, equal and just societies.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

A student should be able to demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of:

1.    the forms, concepts, actors, and methods of Global Law as a scholarly and professional discipline and in its wider context,

2.    legal concepts, sources, principles, procedures, and institutions from a global perspective, encompassing what is traditionally understood as public and private law while at the same time interrogating the traditional boundaries of these areas of law

3.    the major legal theories relevant to understanding Global Law, and be able to apply critical theories to contemporary global problems

4.    legal rules, principles, and doctrines relevant to a variety of fields of legal practice belonging to different legal systems and an appreciation of the interrelationship between these legal systems from a pluralist perspective,

5.    what is means to have a global perspective on law,

6.    diverse legal regimes such as civil, common, customary and religious law, and understand comparative methods,

7.    the role of legal professionals in translating law across different contexts

8.    legal analysis and legal reasoning relevant to law in a global context, and

9.    the historical, political, cultural, and socio-economic frameworks, as well as the complex and dynamic nature of these, in which legal rules in a global context operate

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

A student should demonstrate the following graduate attributes by the end of the LLB Honours programme.

To demonstrate an advanced ability to:

1.    Differentiate between and use appropriately primary and secondary sources of law, and identify, retrieve and use relevant and appropriately up-to-date legal information using paper and electronic sources by using sources that are up-to-date from relevant paper and electronic repositories; using sources that are appropriate to the context; using recognised methods of citation and reference; using sources that are current at the point of assessment; using sources to support arguments and conclusions.

2.    Apply knowledge and understanding of law to complex situations in a global context, in order to provide argued conclusions to concrete legal problems (actual or hypothetical)

3.    Identify accurately the issues which require to be researched, and to formulate them clearly.

4.    Analyse, evaluate, and interpret primary and secondary legal sources relevant to the topic studied, including through transnational and comparative legal methods.

5.    Critically analyse and use existing legal rules and advocate for legal reform.

6.    Recognise and rank arguments and evidence in terms of relevance and importance by: managing a volume of legal sources and to select key materials to construct answers to problems; identifying the legal problem from the information provided; addressing problems by reference to relevant material; bringing together and integrating information and material from a variety of different primary and secondary sources; applying knowledge and analysis of the law creatively to solve legal problems by presenting a range of viable options from a set of facts and law; and presenting, and evaluating, arguments for and against propositions.

7.    Demonstrate awareness that arguments require to be supported by evidence, and therefore to produce a synthesis of relevant evidence (e.g. doctrinal and policy issues) in relation to a topic in order to allow the student to present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions, while recognising ambiguity and dealing with uncertainty.

8.    Make a critical judgment of the relative and absolute merits of particular arguments and solutions.

9.    Apply knowledge and analysis to complex legal, socio-legal and ethical issues in a global legal context.

By virtue of completing an Honours dissertation in the Fourth Year of study, students should additionally be able to:

10.  Independently identify and develop an appropriate project for research.

11.  Explain and justify research methods and theoretical frameworks used in that research where appropriate.

12.  Manage an extended period of time independently to achieve disparate goals, working under their own initiative and taking responsibility for time management and in an independent active and self-directed way.

13.  Produce a piece of work which is creative with a high standard of analysis, displaying a systematic and discriminating understanding of the literature of the field, and building substantially upon knowledge and analysis developed in earlier years of the programme.

14. Carry out independent research, formulating and presenting arguments, and synthesising doctrinal,theoretical and policy issues

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

To demonstrate an advanced ability to:

1.    Act independently in planning and undertaking tasks in areas of law which he or she is studying or has already studied and be able to work to deadlines.

2.    Undertake independent research in areas of law which he or she has not previously studied starting from legal sources (both paper-based and electronic) without reference to a reading list.

3.    Creatively problem solve and think critically and reflexively about global law and how it can be applied to solving complex and dynamic global challenges.

4.    Reflect on his or her own learning, and to seek and make use of feedback

5.    Work collaboratively in groups to test, modify, and strengthen his or her individual views.

6.    Think critically about law and its place in global society.

7.    Develop a curiosity for learning and a passion to engage globally and locally.

8.    Develop informational and digital literacy and think critically about appropriate sources of information and evidence.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

To demonstrate an advanced ability to:

1.    Understand and use the English language proficiently in relation to legal matters, systematically structure academic writing, express views and ideas succinctly, pursue an argument with proper care and attention to academic literature and with proper recognition of counter-arguments

2.    Present knowledge or an argument in a way which is comprehensible to its intended audience, directed to the concerns of that audience (both orally and in writing) 

3.    Read and discuss legal materials which are written in technical and complex language.

4.    Use the internet and e-mail appropriately for a professional environment, including specifically the ability to exchange documents electronically; and to conduct efficient searches of websites to locate relevant information.

5.    Where relevant and as the basis for an argument use, present and evaluate information provided in numerical form.

6.    Use language proficiently in relation to legal matters and specifically to use appropriate legal terminology in work, adopting recognised methods of citation and reference.

7.    Communicate information (including discussing technical and complex legal materials), ideas, advice and choices in an effective manner (appropriate to the context, whether that be to the general public or other experts, individually or with others) by: giving oral presentations which address a specific issue within a prescribed time frame; listening and questioning effectively; giving and receiving feedback and responding effectively to others; and ensuring that all communications (both oral and in writing) are relevant and appropriate.

8.    Communicate in plain English, using legal terminology where appropriate.

9.    Contribute effectively in group work, working collaboratively on projects as part of a team in order to reach defined goals and outputs.

10.  Demonstrate an ability to address the resolution of disputes, determining where is appropriate to deploy various adversarial and non-adversarial skills.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

To show an advanced ability to:

1.    Work effectively with others in groups, contributing, understanding, and valuing diverse experiences, skills, and thinking of each group member.

2.    Display an informed knowledge and understanding of the social, historical, economic, moral and ethical contexts in which law operates at a global level, including its colonial legacies, and how law responds to these social, historical, economic, moral and ethical contexts by displaying legal knowledge in association with related policy, underlying social conditions, professional ethical issues and moral issues; and to respond to changes in law that arise from these contexts (for example by being able to remain up to date in considering primary and secondary material).

3.    Demonstrate an ability to organise and prioritise time and effort effectively in the performance of the student???s work.

4.    Have the confidence to make informed decisions based on their knowledge and understanding and their personal and intellectual autonomy, reflecting on their roles as knowledge seekers and producers, and how this is relevant throughout their professional lives.

5.    Understand the transmission of knowledge across different boundaries, including languages and cultures.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

To show an advanced ability to:

1.    Work effectively with others in groups, contributing, understanding, and valuing diverse experiences, skills, and thinking of each group member.

2.    Display an informed knowledge and understanding of the social, historical, economic, moral and ethical contexts in which law operates at a global level, including its colonial legacies, and how law responds to these social, historical, economic, moral and ethical contexts by displaying legal knowledge in association with related policy, underlying social conditions, professional ethical issues and moral issues; and to respond to changes in law that arise from these contexts (for example by being able to remain up to date in considering primary and secondary material).

3.    Demonstrate an ability to organise and prioritise time and effort effectively in the performance of the student???s work.

4.    Have the confidence to make informed decisions based on their knowledge and understanding and their personal and intellectual autonomy, reflecting on their roles as knowledge seekers and producers, and how this is relevant throughout their professional lives.

5.    Understand the transmission of knowledge across different boundaries, including languages and cultures.

Programme structure and features

Honours Degree:

The Honours degree takes 4 years to complete and requires students to achieve 480 credits in total.  Students will normally take 240 credits of ordinary courses (SCQF level 8) in years 1 and 2. 120 worth of credits (SCQF level 10 equivalent) are taken whilst on a compulsory year abroad in year 3, and the remaining 120 credits (SCQF level 10) of Honours courses, including the Dissertation in Law, in year 4.

Ordinary Courses ??? years 1 and 2:

In year 1 students will study 50 compulsory credits in Global Law related subjects and 10 to 30 further elective credits in Global Law related subjects, and will have 40 to 60 credits of elective credits to select from across the School of Law and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science.

In year 2 students will study 70 compulsory credits and 10 to 30 further elective credits in Global Law related subjects, and will have a further 20 to 40 credits of elective credits to select from across the School of Law and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science.

In total, across years 1 and 2, students will take a minimum of 160 credits of Global Law-related subjects in the School of Law.

            Compulsory Study Abroad ??? year 3:

            Students will undertake a compulsory year studying abroad and will have a choice from a wide range of international partner institutions. Students will study a 10 credit compulsory online course in advanced legal writing, whilst on the year abroad.

            Honours Courses ??? year 4:

Students will study 60 compulsory credits in Global Law related subjects, including the 40 credit Dissertation in Law, and will have 60 credits of elective credits to select from across the School of Law and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science.

Entry Requirements:

The standard entry requirement is:

??         SQA Highers: AAAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.

??         A Levels: A*AA - AAA.

??         IB: 39 points with 666 at HL - 37 points with 666 at HL.

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

??         SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.

??         A Levels: ABB.

??         IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

??         SQA: Highers: English at B, at first attempt.

??         A Levels: English Literature, English Language or combined English at B. English Language and English Literature GCSE, both at A or 7, are accepted in place of A Level English.

??         IB: HL: English at 5.

Teaching, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Practices:

Methods of teaching and learning in the Law School vary from subject to subject but, in general, formal lecturing provides the teaching framework in years 1 and 2 complemented by small group tutorial sessions.  Tutorials usually comprise 12-14 students and thus give students an important opportunity to engage directly with their tutor.  Lectures and tutorials are replaced at Honours level by two-hour seminars in which students are expected to discuss and explore topics in more depth.

While Ordinary courses tend to focus on building student knowledge and applying that knowledge to problem-solving, Honours is more concerned with critical analysis, structured and coherent argument, and independence of thought.

Courses can be assessed by a diverse range of methods, including exams, essays, and practical skills-based assessments; and often take the form of formative work which provides the student with on-going feedback as well as summative assessment which is submitted for credit.

Progression Requirements:

In order to ensure continuation from one year of study to the next without the need for an extension to the total period of study, a full-time student must normally achieve a minimum of:

??         80 credit points by the end of Year 1

??         240 credit points by the end of Year 2

??         360 credit points by the end of Year 3

??         480 credit points by the end of Year 4

Modes of Study:

This is a full time programme. Students who do not make satisfactory progress may need to take a part-time catch up year.

Exit Awards:

The Undergraduate Certificate or Undergraduate Diploma of Higher Education may be attained by students who leave the University without completing a degree programme, where the student meets the requirements of one of these qualifications as set out below.

Students for the Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education must have attained a minimum of 120 credit points gained from passes in courses of this University which count towards graduation.

Students for the Undergraduate Diploma of Higher Education must have attained a minimum of 240 credit points. At least 120 credit points must be gained from passes in courses of this University counting towards graduation and at least 90 of the 120 credit points gained from courses passed at this University must be in courses at level 8 or above.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Teaching and Learning Strategies employed at the University of Edinburgh consist of a variety of different methods appropriate to the programme aims.  The graduate attributes listed above are met through a teaching and learning framework (detailed below) which is appropriate to the level and content of the course.

Teaching and Learning Activities:

In Year 1:

Lectures

Tutorials and/or workshops

Problem and skills-based learning activities

Peer group learning

Participatory and experiential learning

Library exercise

Independent study

LawPALS ??? peer assisted group learning sessions for new law students

One to one meetings with student advisors and group meetings with cohort leads

In Year 2:

Lectures

Tutorials and/or workshops

Problem and skills-based learning activities

Peer group learning

Participatory and experiential learning, such as mock legal debating (mooting)

Independent study

One to one meetings with student advisors and group meetings with cohort leads

In Year 3:

Year 3 is spent abroad studying at an overseas institution

Teaching and learning activities will vary with the institution but should include:

Seminars

Lectures

Problem and skills-based learning activities

Peer group learning

Independent study

One to one meetings with student advisors and group meetings with cohort leads (online)

In Year 4:

Seminars

Problem and skills-based learning activities

Peer group learning

Independent study

One to one meetings with student advisors and group meetings with cohort leads

Meetings with dissertation supervisor

Facilities

The Law and Europa Library is situated within Old College, and the Main Library is 5 minutes away.  There are 3 microlabs in Old College for use of law students, where students have access to the School of Law???s online legal research resources.

Assessment methods and strategies

Courses can be assessed by a diverse range of methods and often take the form of formative work which provides the student with on-going feedback as well as summative assessment which is submitted for credit.

In Year 1:

Class tests

Oral presentations

Assessed mooting or other practical skills-based activities

On-line assessment

Coursework

Written examinations (seen and unseen)

In Year 2:

Class tests

Oral presentations

Assessed mooting or other practical skills-based activities

Coursework

Written examinations (seen and unseen)

In Year 3:

Year 3 is spent abroad studying at an overseas institution

Assessment activities will vary with the institution but should include:

Oral presentations

Assessed mooting or other practical skills-based activities

Essays

Written examinations (seen and unseen)

In Year 4:

Oral presentations

Assessed mooting or other practical skills-based activities

Essays

Written examinations (seen and unseen)

Dissertation

Career opportunities

The Global Law LLB does not provide a qualification to practice law in Scotland or elsewhere. Rather, the degree provides legal and non-legal skills to act, adapt, mobilise, innovate, and succeed in a global legal environment. Graduates may also go on to qualify and practise law in other jurisdictions, in Europe and elsewhere, in accordance with the relevant local conversion requirements and any further study required in the non-Scottish destination jurisdiction. The careers office and cohort lead will be able to provide you with further guidance.

It is an excellent grounding for a wide range of careers in areas such as:

legal services

International organisations

financial services

politics

journalism

public policy

civil society and advocacy work

government work

The Global Law LLB programme provides a range of useful skills in logic and rhetoric, transferable to other academic and professional fields.

Other items

Student Adviser

Student Advisers will be the first point of contact for an allocated group of students, to assist them with their studies. They will work closely with Student Support Services across the University, as well as key academic and professional services colleagues, to ensure students are fully supported, particularly when they require help.

Cohort Lead

Cohort Leads are a key part of the Student Support ecosystem and take the lead on: Welcome, induction and transition, Community building and Academic support.

These leadership roles provide the connection between students and their programme through the provision of group-based welcome and transition activities. The coordination of programme based community building activities is a key part of facilitating a student???s sense of belonging to their programme, School/Deanery and the wider University.

This post works closely with professional services colleagues as the lead academic for each individual student within the student support ecosystem.

LawPALS

The transition from school or college to university can be challenging, especially in the demanding field of law. The Law School ensures that all students are given the support and encouragement they need during the first year of study and beyond.  All first-years are automatically guaranteed direct access to a wealth of experience and information from advanced LLB undergraduates as part of the Law Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (LawPALS).

Law Students??? Council

The Law Students' Council exists to represent the views of students to the staff and management of the School of Law.

Further information is provided on the Law School website

http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/teaching/undergraduate