LAW30630 French Law Dissertation

Academic Year 2023/2024

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 Trimester (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 the analysis that they intend to adopt. Their Supervisor may also be consulted during their office hours where appropriate. Students are requested to submit an abstract (200-250 words) and a short bibliography about their dissertation topic in week 4 of Spring Trimester (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 Brightspace.

Further instructions will be given in the Module Handbook which will be posted on Brightspace.

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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 legal French.

Indicative Module Content:

The topic of the dissertation is chosen by the students so there is no overall indicative content for the module. The annual Module Handbook will contain suggestions of dissertation titles to assist students in their choice. The Module Handbook will also indicate the topics which were chosen by students in the previous year.

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 trimester, in particular:
- During the two-hour 'contact time' at the start of the trimester where the Lecturer/Supervisor 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/Supervisor's consultation hours to ask more specific questions about their assignment.
- Throughout the trimester, students are encouraged to organise their time ('autonomous student learning') and work on their dissertation regularly from week 1 until the 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.


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


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Abstract (200-250 words) and short bibliography (3 to 4 references) Week 4 n/a Graded No

20
Essay: Dissertation (5,000 words) Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

80

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/Supervisor on relevant questions asked by the student.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21 Tues 17:00 - 18:50