Family Law

University of Reading

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Family Law

  • Host University

    University of Reading

  • Location

    Reading, England

  • Area of Study

    Legal Studies

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

  • Course Level Recommendations

    Upper

    ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

    Hours & Credits

  • ECTS Credits

    10
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    6
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    8

  • Overview

    Module Provider: School of Law
    Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
    Level:6
    Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
    Pre-requisites:
    Non-modular pre-requisites:
    Co-requisites:
    Modules excluded:
    Module version for: 2014/5
    Module Convenor: Dr Annika Newnham
    Email: a.newnham@reading.ac.uk
    Summary module description:
    Aims:
    This module aims to provide students with a working knowledge of the private law relating to the family and to family breakdown, including the law of family financial provision. It aims to give students the opportunity to develop their research skills and the habit of independent, critical thought, in particular by encouraging them to consider critically the continuing agenda of family law reform.
    Assessable learning outcomes:
    By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
    ? explain how the law responds to situations involving marriage and other family partnerships, divorce, domestic violence, the care of children after family breakdown, and financial provision following family breakdown;
    ? apply the law by analysing and discussing concrete problem situations;
    ? appraise critically the law and policy in this field, and to explain and assess the various possibilities for reform;
    ? organise their material and communicate their arguments effectively in the context of this emotionally charged subject, in the written examination.
    Additional outcomes:
    Students will also be expected to demonstrate, in tutorials, the following skills:
    ? effective oral communication of legal argument;
    ? the ability to work as part of a team in the discussion and communication of legal argument.
    Outline content:
    ? Trends in Family Law and Policy
    ? Formal partnerships: Marriage and Civil Partners; Informal partnerships: Cohabitation
    ? Divorce and separation
    ? Domestic violence
    ? Financial provision on the breakdown of relationships
    ? The basic principles of the Children Act 1989, and arrangements for children on the break-up of the family
    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    All lectures will take place in the Autumn Term. All tutorials will be held in the Spring Term. The tutorials will include teamwork exercises. There will be one non-assessed essay.
    Contact hours:
    Autumn Spring Summer
    Lectures 20
    Seminars 10
    Guided independent study 60 100 10
    Total hours by term 80.00 110.00 10.00
    Total hours for module 200.00
    Summative Assessment Methods:
    Method Percentage
    Written exam 100
    Other information on summative assessment:
    One three-hour examination paper. Three questions to be answered from a selection of questions.
    Formative assessment methods:
    One non-assessed written assignment to be completed during the Autumn term.
    Group presentations in Spring term seminars.
    Penalties for late submission:
    The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
    where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
    where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
    The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
    You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
    Length of examination:
    One three-hour examination paper. Three questions to be answered from a selection of questions.
    Requirements for a pass:
    40% overall
    Reassessment arrangements:
    See School Guide (Programme Assessment).
    Last updated: 22 October 2014

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Some courses may require additional fees.

Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.

Please reference fall and spring course lists as not all courses are taught during both semesters.

Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.

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