Introduction to Studying Law
Learn how to read critically and develop an academic argument in the field of law and prepare for studying it at university.
11,835 enrolled on this course
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
2 hoursLanguages
English, Italiano, Español, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Italiano100% online
How it works
Introduction to Studying Law
Develop the skills you need to prepare for studying law at university
This three-week foundation law course will provide you with a taster of the legal concepts, academic English and research project modules found on the International Foundation Programme in law. Ultimately it will prepare you with the skills you need to begin a degree in the field of law.
You’ll learn how to read critically, make notes and develop an academic argument based on a contemporary current affairs issue. You’ll also explore how the law impacts on your everyday life and consider the difference between legal, moral and social duties.
Get an introduction to law and prepare yourself for studying law
Firstly, you’ll understand how the law impacts on elements of your everyday life, and will gain a critical awareness of the relationship between legality and morality.
You’ll then learn how to critically read a text and make meaningful notes, and will learn how to develop an argument within an academic context, preparing you for studying at university or law school.
Choose a research methodology using sampling and questionnaire techniques
The third and final week of the course will introduce you to various research design approaches.
You’ll learn how to select an appropriate research methodology for a specific research problem using a range of sampling, quantitative and questionnaire techniques - a valuable and useful skill for your undergraduate law studies.
Learn from legal experts at the University of Law
The University of Law is one of the UK’s longest-established specialist providers of legal education. With a rich heritage and a reputation for innovation and contemporary teaching practices, they continuously focus on developing the best legal minds.
Syllabus
Week 1
English Language and Study Skills
Welcome to the International Foundation Programme in Law
A short video introduction to the course, which is based on the International Foundation Programme (IFP) at the University of Law. The video is delivered by Helen, our National Director for International and Pathway programmes.
Introduction
The IFP will develop your English language, academic and study skills in preparation for a degree in Law and this is the focus of week 1. Please start by reading the introduction and learning outcomes below.
Critical Thinking and Critical Reading
What does it mean to think and read critically? Why is it important? Find out in this section.
The Expansion of Heathrow Airport
An overview of this controversial proposal and a chance to give your initial views.
Critical Reading and the RADAR Framework
Read two texts about the proposed Heathrow expansion and evaluate them using the RADAR framework.
The Arguments For and Against Heathrow Expansion
Read about the arguments for and against the expansion of Heathrow Airport and practice your note-taking skills. Then contribute to a debate about whether the expansion should go ahead.
Completion of Week 1 and Introduction to Week 2
Now that you have completed your first week, Helen will introduce you to the second week, Legal Concepts, which is led by Mandy.
Week 2
Introduction to Legal Concepts and Skills
Introduction
This week will introduce students to the law, its influence on our daily lives and the impact of legal, social and moral duties.
What is Law?
This Module introduces a number of important legal concepts and some of the skills that you will need to develop in order to excel in your legal studies.
A Day in the Life of the Law
Students will consider how the law influences their daily lives and provide an example of a real life situation in which they did something that was governed by the law.
Law in the Real World
Students review photographs that show different ways in which the law interacts with our daily lives and answer three questions about each.
Legal, Moral and Social Duties
Students learn about the difference between legal, moral and social duties.
The Right to Die
Students will consider the legal and moral implications of an important legal case.
Completion of Week 2 and Introduction to Week 3
Well done for completing the Legal Concepts week. Now Helen will introduce the final week- Research Skills- which is led by Babar.
Week 3
Research Skills
Week 3: Introduction to Research skills
In this module, you will explore the importance of quantitative research strategies and appropriate sampling methods/techniques.
Sampling
Students will be able to understand the basic concept of; sampling, target population, technical terminology and why sampling is important.
Sampling Methods
Students will learn the difference of probability and non-probability sampling and be able to distinguish between the different key sampling techniques.
Questionnaire
Students will learn the concept of questionnaire techniques of data collection in which each person is asked to respond to the same set of questions in a predetermined order.
Questionnaire Design
Students will learn the concept of questionnaire techniques of data collection in which each person is asked to respond to the same set of questions in a predetermined order
Completion of Week 3
Well done for completing the third week. You have now finished this IFP Law mini-course.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Understand how the law impacts on elements of everyday life
- Gain a critical awareness of the interplay between law and morality
- Learn to critically read a text and make meaningful notes
- Develop an argument in an academic context
- Select an appropriate research methodology using a range of sampling and questionnaire techniques
Who is the course for?
This course is designed specifically to enable international students to improve their academic English, to learn about law and to develop all the necessary skills needed for successful undergraduate study.
Who will you learn with?
Senior Tutor for International and Pathway Programmes at the University of Law. Over thirteen years of teaching and academic management experience, gained in the UK, South Korea and Hungary.
Amanda teaches law on the International Foundation Programme. Specialising in dispute resolution for over a decade, Amanda sits as an arbitrator and speaks and publishes on ADR and diversity issues.
Babar is lecturer for International Foundation. He specialises in teaching students from a range of disciplines and ability of proficiency in teaching diverse subjects with over ten years’ experience.
I have worked in international education for over twenty-five years and enjoy working with students from all over the world. I hope you enjoy our short Law and Business courses here on FutureLearn.
Who developed the course?
The University of Law
The University of Law is one of the UK’s longest established specialist providers of legal education, believing that students should learn in a realistic, professional and contemporary context.
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Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Buy this course
$54/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Subscribe & save
$349.99 for one year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Start learning today
Free
Try this course - with limits
- Limited to 3 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
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