LAW30630 French Law Dissertation

Academic Year 2020/2021

The course constitutes the last French law module in the BCL Law with French Law programme. It is a non-taught module and students are asked to write a 5,000 words dissertation in the French language on a topic agreed with their supervisor. It is designed to provide students the opportunity to conduct an independent piece of research in French law. A methodology seminar will advise students on how to write their dissertation. This seminar will take place the first week of Spring (Seminar 2h/Week 1).Students will arrange to meet with their supervisor to discuss in a more detailed manner their approach to the dissertation, the literature and analysis that they intend to adopt. Supervisors may also be consulted during their office hours where appropriate. Students are requested to submit an abstract (200-250 words) and short bibliography of their dissertation in week 3 of Spring (Specified Learning Activities: pre-submission and meetings with supervisor up to 4h/Week 3). Students will have a three-month span to research and write up their dissertation (Autonomous Student Learning/Submission Week 12). This module will use Blackboard.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, diligent students should: 1. have developed the ability to conduct research in the French legal literature 2. have developed the ability to critically compare certain features of the French legal system with features of other legal systems, including the Irish legal system 3. be able to produce a legal piece of research in French 4.be able to express themselves fluently in written French.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

2
Specified Learning Activities

4
Autonomous Student Learning

114
Total

120
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a non-taught module. However, students must adopt an active learning approach throughout the semester, in particular:
- during the two-hour 'contact time' at the start of the semester where the lecturer explains the methodology of the dissertation, students must come prepared having thought about a possible topic and about questions on the methodology especially its comparative aspect;
- during the 'specified learning activities', students must avail of the lecturer's consultation hours to ask more specific questions on their topic.
- throughout the semester, students are encouraged to organise their time ('autonomous student learning') and work on their dissertation regularly from week 1 to week of submission.

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Modules in French Public Law and French Private Law in Years 1, 2 and 3 (year abroad in a French university)* of the BCL Law with French Law programme.

* or substitute modules offered during Autumn Trimester of 2020-21 due to the impossibility of exchange during this period.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
LAW37580 - Research Module 10cr


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Dissertation (5,000 words) Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

80
Assignment: Abstract submission (300-400 words) Week 4 n/a Graded No

20

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback will be given during T2 to students in LAW30630 French Law Dissertation prior to their final submission, in two forms: - A formal feedback on their abstract submission no later than week 6; - An informal (oral) feedback when the student attends consultation hours with the lecturer on relevant questions asked by the student.