PLYMOUTH LAW SCHOOL
Undergraduate Law Assessment
Staff Guidance
· UG Programmes – Assessment Policy
· Assessment Maps (programme summary of assessment types and weightings by Stage)
· Assessment Tariff
· Assessment Setting, Marking Criteria and Coursework Feedback Sheets
· Staff Resources
Appendix A: SEEC Level Descriptors
Appendix B: UG Law Submission and Feedback Form
UG Programmes - Assessment Policy
During preparation for validation it was confirmed that JASB placed no requirements on assessment in FLKs. However, tutor meetings at all three stages agreed that the programme should retain examination as a valid means of assessing a range of learning outcomes and the ability to work under pressure in time constrained conditions.
Two particular factors underpinned the development of the assessment policy for the new programmes
1. it was noted that student feedback indicated a general feeling that the amount of assessment was too high, creating difficulties in ensuring adequate attention could be paid to all assessment tasks, particularly examination; and
2. The new programmes across Stages 2 and 3 generated an increase in the number of modules (because of reduced credits in the FLKs) and that this would naturally further increase the amount of assessment if patterns were unchanged.
It was therefore agreed that it was important to reduce the amount of summative assessment across both Stages and the programme as a whole as a means of making the student workload more manageable generally and of ensuring there was appropriate space in the programme to embed a range of formative assessment and feed-forward opportunities, particularly essential to prepare students for formal examination assessment.
It was therefore agreed that
· FLK modules will generally be assessed by way of examination, the exceptions being Legal Skills and Systems (Stage 1) and Land Law (Stage 2) where focus will be on case analysis and developing research skills thus assessment is coursework based;
· Electives will generally be assessed by means of coursework
Generally, modules will have
· one element of assessment (examination or coursework);
· comprised of one piece of assessment.
A module may have more than one piece of assessment if this is
· linked to learning outcomes e.g. a study log to show the development of research; and/or
· is utilised for a specific teaching and learning purpose such as providing interim feed-forward to assist in preparation of the main assessment task e.g. a research plan/ proposal
· All modules will offer formative assessment with feed-forward opportunities.
UG Law Programmes: Assessment Maps
Stage 1 LLB (Hons) Law (for Business and CCJS replace CLI with relevant core module)Module Title / Coursework / Examination / Additional information
Learning the Law
(6 week intensive module) / N/A / 100% / One hour objective questions and short answers paper (formative assessment opportunities include e.g. Perception; websites associated with core texts; in-class exercises with immediate feedback).
Early point of assessment offers opportunities to reinforce learning and understanding; signpost and encourage use of resources; and to identify students that may be ‘at risk’ with deployment of a Student Recovery Plan.
Legal Systems and Skills / 100% / N/A / Portfolio to include a range of tasks including a case reading analysis. Some will require prior independent research using a variety of legal sources which will be guided as means of developing research skills. (Note: process of developing research skills continues Land Law, Stage 2.)
Constitutional and Administrative Law / N/A / 100% / 3 hour exam requiring demonstration of written communication skills and ability to discuss /analyse; judicial review question will be a problem question being suited to systematic problem based techniques. Discussions continue on having a seen or part seen paper and a compulsory question. Preparation will be embedded into tutorials with rolling feedback throughout the module’s delivery and targeted revision support.
Contract Law / N/A / 100% / 3 hour exam of two sections, one comprising MCQ/ objective questions/ and short problem scenarios, the other of a compulsory question (requiring research and problem solving/ application skills) and a range of other problem questions of which two should be attempted. Preparation includes three formative MC tests followed by in-class discussion. Tutorials will include timed test essays.
Contemporary Legal Issues / 100% / N/A / Coursework divided into two elements with 70% for a research paper selected from a choice provided or on an area developed by the student in discussion with the tutor. 30% will be devoted to a study log which will be a reflective weekly diary of the independent research undertaken during Term 1 to encourage autonomous learning, development of research skills and the opportunity to offer interim feedback.
Stage 2 LLB (Hons) All programmes– CORE (80 credits)
Title / Coursework / Practical / Examination
Dispute Resolution Skills / 25%
Letter writing / 75%
Range of oral skills assessments e.g. client interviewing, mediation & advocacy
European Union Law / 100%
Formal exam period; objective style questions on area of independent/ guided research; focus on problem solving skills (open book)
Land Law / 100%
20% researched case note
80% research project and diary/ research log
Tort Law / 100%
Formal exam period; focus on problem solving skills to ‘real-life’ scenarios
Stage 2 LLB (Hons) Law – ELECTIVES (40 credits) (for CCJS and Business use relevant core modules)
Title / Coursework / Practical / Examination
Company Law
(core LLB Law with Business) / 100%
2 x 50% case note and a selected research paper
Consumer Law / 35%
Report on group presentation / 15%
Group presentation / 50%
20% on-line test Term 1
30% in-class seen case study
Environmental Law / 100%
Assessment of two parts with focus on research and analysis in first and problem solving skills in second
Human Rights
(core LLB Law with CCJS) / 100%
Research paper on title from selection or of student’s choice
Media and Information Law / 100%
30% three short analytical commentaries
70% research paper
Planning Law / 100%
2 x essays (40% and 60%) focus on research, analysis and application
Succession Law / 100%
Assessment of two parts with focus on research and analysis in first and problem solving skills in second
WBL / 100%
Reflective logs and portfolio of evidence demonstrating work undertaken, feedback and evaluative reflection
Stage 3 LLB (Hons) All programmes – CORES (40 credits)
Title / Coursework / Practical / Examination
Criminal Law / 100%
Formal exam period; including independently researched area assessed by seen question; focus on problem solving and critical evaluation skills
Equity and Trusts / 100%
Formal exam period; open book; requirement to attempt at least one essay and one problem question testing analysis/ evaluation application skills
Stage 3 LLB (Hons) All programmes – ELECTIVES (80 credits) (for CCJS and Business use relevant modules)
Title / Coursework / Practical / Examination
Carriage of Goods by Sea / 100%; essay with focus on research critical evaluation
Commercial Law / 100% Formal exam period; includes compulsory question testing research and independent study skills
Company Law / 100%; 2 x 50% case note & a selected research paper
Conflict of Laws / 100%; assignment with focus on independent research, analysis and evaluation skills
Consumer Law / 65%; 30% research project & 35% report on presentation / 15%
Group presentation / 20% In-class case study (Term 1)
Dissertation / 100%; 20% research plan/ literature review &
80% dissertation
Employment / 100%; 50% essay with focus on research and evaluation skills & 50% problem question with focus on application skills
Environmental Law / 100%; assessment of two parts with focus on independent research and analysis in first and problem solving skills in the second
Family Law / 100%; assessment of two parts with focus on problem solving skills to factual scenario in the first and independent research on topic of choice in the second
Human Rights Law / 100%; research paper on title from selection or of own choice
Immigration, Nationality & Refugee Law / 100%; 2 x essays 50% from selection with focus on independent research, analysis and problem solving skills
International Criminal Justice / 100%; research project on topic of choice with focus on research and evaluation skills
Law, Literature & Film / 100%; 2 x essays 50% on area of choice or from selection with focus on independent research and analysis/ evaluation skills
Marine Insurance & Admiralty Law / 100%; essay with focus on independent research and critical evaluation skills
Media and Information Law / 100%; 30% three short analytical commentaries &
70% research paper
Planning Law / 100%; 2 x essays (40% and 60%) with focus on research, analysis and application
Public International Law / 100%; 10% research proposal & 90% research project with supervision on topic of choice with focus on research and analysis/ evaluation skills
Sex, Power & Legal Control / 100%; formal exam period; seen exam requiring prior preparation including research
Work Based Action Research for Law / 100%; independently researched project in format to address client’s needs
WBL / 100%; reflective log evidence portfolio demonstrating work undertaken, feedback and evaluative reflection
Assessment Tariff
During preparation of validation 2012-3, it was noted that Module Records identified a range of different types of assessment (summative and formative). In terms of summative there was the potential for inconsistency between modules of equal credit size. It was suggested that more of a defined, explicit strategy/ tariff was necessary, and this would be best at the ‘stage’ level thus ensuring consistency whilst recognising the developmental process particularly between Stage 1/ level 4 and Stages 2&3/ levels 5 & 6. The following tariff was consequently agreed between tutors at the stage level.
Stage 1:
· Coursework
Legal Skills and Systems portfolio = 2500 words in total
Contemporary Legal Issues = 2000 words research essay + study log
· Exams
Learning the Law (intensive introductory module) = 1 hour objective question paper at end of 6 week period
Contract and Constitutional Administrative Law (30 credits) = 3 hour examinations scheduled during formal examination period
· Overview of summative assessment points
20 credits of assessment are completed within the first 6 weeks providing an early opportunity to reward good performance, offer constructive feed-forward advice, signpost services if required, and identify at ‘risk students’ (for those that do not pass this assessment, support measures will be introduced as part of a Student Recovery Plan before an early resit opportunity is offered at the start of Term 2); an additional 40 credits of assessment are completed by the end of Term 2; leaving 60 credits of examination assessment to be the focus of attention during the revision and examination period.
Stages 2 and 3: Tariffs are generally as follows
· 20 credit modules with 100% coursework = 4,000 word maximum (or equivalent if more than one piece of assessment)
· 20 credit modules with 100% examination = one 3 hour exam (or equivalent)
Assessment Setting, Marking Criteria and Coursework Feedback Sheets
Assessment setting
See the University’s Good Practice Guide in Assessing Students (link to pdf file below) with useful advice on
· the process of setting assessment itself both summative and formative;
· the setting of assessment criteria;
· innovative assessment;
· inclusive assessment;
· self-assessment and reflection;
· marking reliably; and
· feedback
http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/files/extranet/docs/TLD/Assessment%20guidelines%20March09.pdf
Within UG Law programmes please note we also generally require coursework based assessment to be published at the start of each module in the relevant Module Outline. This will include as a minimum
· clear instructions;
· marking criteria;
· reference to the Law Coursework Manual for format, submission and referencing guidance (unless not applicable); and
· deadlines for submission.
The assumption is that assessment deadlines will not be changed once the module has begun but if necessary will be notified to the Faculty Support Office, Programme Manager, and students by announcement, email and postings on Tulip.
Marking criteria
These must reflect the learning outcomes of the module and its level in accordance with the relevant SEEC level descriptors (see Appendix A). Note the Good Practice Guide above offers advice on setting appropriate assessment criteria and there are links to additional resources on helping create suitable marking criteria and engaging students in understanding them in the Staff Resource section below.
Submission and Feedback Form
UG Law programmes utilise a standard submission/feedback form for summative coursework assessment, which students are instructed to attach to their submissions.
The forms are available from the Faculty Support Office, Level 3 CKY and 20 PV (foyer and staff room).
A pdf version of the form will be circulated annually by the Programme Manager.
The UG law form facilitates anonymous submission and marking except for assessment where this is not applicable such as personal development planning; practical assessments (including oral exercises and presentations); research plans/ proposals followed by supervision; dissertation; and WBL portfolios.
Additional individual feedback sheets tailored to specific modules/ methods of assessment can be used if necessary – please discuss arrangements with the Programme Manager and/or Administrator.
Sample Staff and Student Resources
For Plymouth University Teaching and Learning website generally: See http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/directorates/tld
For Plymouth University T&L events, including teaching workshops covering areas such as research informed teaching, feedback, large group teaching: See http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=32213 email
For Pedogogic Research Institute and Observatory (PedRIO): See http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/research/pedrio/Pages/default.aspx
For the Plymouth Law School UG Law Coursework Manual:
· Updated annually and circulated via the Programme Manager to staff and available for new Stage 1 students in hard copy and electronically on Tulip programme pages for all other Stages
· Offers guidance on format requirements; submission instructions; plagiarism; and referencing (including compiling bibliographies)
For a site offering access to OER materials generally but including educational ones for HE see ‘Jorum’ at http://resources.jorum.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/31/search