LAU12410 Introduction to Law A

Module Learning Outcomes with embedded Graduate Attributes   

On completion of this module, students should be able to: 

• Identify and analyse the main sources of law in the Irish legal system and the relationship between them. 
• Display an understanding of the common law nature of the Irish legal system. 
• Describe the Irish courts system. 
• Apply legal principles and case law in order to solve a variety of legal problems.  
• This course involves an introduction to the study of law and is specially tailored for non-law students. 
• Any aspect of this module may be changed during the academic year, subject to the discretion of the module lecturer. 

Module Content   

The Irish Legal System: Structure and Key Features 

The module provides a foundation to the study of law. Before any in-depth analysis of any type of law subject, you need to have a fundamental understanding of how the legal system works and of the basic legal vocabulary involved. This first part of the Introduction to Law module provides you with this knowledge, paying particular attention to five topics: 

1. The Constitution 
2. Legislation 
3. The Irish Courts System  
4. Access to the Courts 
5. EU law 

Challenges of Studying Law 

• Very information dense 
• You are required to remember, describe, and explain a range of sources of law including cases 
• No tutorials for this subject – you have to (a) attend lectures and (b) participate 
• Independent reading 
• You will need to take charge of your own study – do not wait until the end of the semester to start looking at this subject. You will be overwhelmed! 

Teaching and Learning Methods (including details of supervision)  

• All materials will be posted in advance on blackboard  
• Lecture and Socratic dialogue