Curriculum development

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Department of Law and Criminology Learning and Teaching Strategy: 2010-2015

1 Department of Law and Criminology

Departmental Learning and Teaching Strategy 2010-2015

The Learning and Teaching Strategy of the Department of Law and Criminology builds upon the University’s mission and aims for learning and teaching as outlined in its Learning and Teaching Strategy for 2007-2010, the University’s E-learning

policy and its Employability strategy, and upon the Department’s previous Learning

and Teaching Strategy. The achievements under the previous departmental strategy are shown alongside the current plan. The current departmental strategy, which has been approved by the Departmental Board on 26 January 2010, is the outcome of consultation within the Department, discussion in a teaching discussion seminar and in the Department’s Learning and Teaching Committee. It takes into account issues raised by students both via departmental channels and in the results of the annual National Student Surveys.

The strategy reflects the implementation of the institutional strategy in the specific context of the disciplines of law and criminology and takes into account evolving departmental imperatives and priorities. It reflects the Department’s ongoing commitment to excellence in all aspects of teaching, and its affirmation of the importance of research-led teaching. Although itemised under a number of headings the overall approach is intended to be a holistic one with a focus on increasing student engagement and student-centred learning.

Curriculum development

As may be seen, the period of the last strategy saw a considerable increase in new modules offered on our degree schemes, in particular but not exclusively on the new Criminology Degree schemes. We see 2010-2015 as a period to consolidate our achievements and to review our curriculum. The aims for this period are as follows:

1. During 2010, conduct a review of all undergraduate elective modules in the Department as regards the frequency with which they should run (annually or in alternate years), whether we have gaps in our curriculum which should be addressed, whether any additional modules should be added, whether any existing modules should be restructured or removed. Fed into this discussion will be staff suggestions as to additional modules which would enhance the curriculum and / or lead to greater research-led teaching, student views and preferences regarding possible new modules. This review will also need to assess whether resources exist to provide additional modules and whether the timetable (and availability of teaching rooms) can sustain the addition of new modules.

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2 2. As soon as is feasible in light of staff resources, to run those criminology

modules which have been approved but not yet been offered.

3. As numbers increase on the newly approved Distance Learning Masters in Human Rights and Humanitarian law, to review the range of modules offered and to increase the number of elective modules available.

4. To add to the number of elective modules available on the Distance Learning Masters in Environmental Law and Management.

5. To keep under review the range of modules available on the Distance Learning Masters in International Business Law and in Information

Technology Law in order for the scheme to remain vibrant and attractive. 6. We will continue to encourage our students to take up the opportunity to

spend time studying abroad under our ERASMUS and other exchange agreements.

Curriculum development

2004-2009 plan Achievements under 2004-2009 plan

Develop new criminology modules to enhance the Criminology degree scheme

400 credits worth of modules were approved for the Criminology degree schemes during this period.

Consolidate research training modules in criminology

Modules CR1 and CR3140 on research skills have been made core for the criminology degree

schemes. Devise new DL modules in

environmental law and management to enhance the LLM in Environmental Law and Management

The following modules have been approved during this period: Environment and Human Rights; Environmental Aspects of Global Energy and Policy; International Business, Environment and Human Rights; International Marine Environmental Law.

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3 Curriculum development

Explore collaborative Erasmus initiatives

We continue to maintain links with the following Universities:

Masaryk University, Brno;

Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder); Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Université

Catholique de Louvain; Université Lumière Lyon; University of Malta; Universidad de Oviedo Univesersitè de Rennes; Universidad de Salamanca; University of Utrecht

Universitiät Wurzburg

New links were developed with the following Universities:

Universytet Wroclaw, Poland; University of Helsinki, Finland; University of Silesia, Poland; University of Budapest, Hungary; University of Bergen, Norway.

As part of ongoing review of the curriculum to consider the range,

suitability and extent of the methods of assessment currently in use.

Increasing diversity in our methods of assessment was discussed and pursued during this period. The assessment in the new Readings in

Criminology module includes an oral presentation. In 2008, the assessment for Legal Process was amended to include the assessment of an oral mooting exercise; this entered into operation in 2009.

An additional element of assessment was approved in 2008 for Land Law in order to promote early student engagement with the module; this entered into operation in 2009.

Portfolio Renewal

1. Having introduced a number of new schemes, on-campus and Distance learning, during the last period, 2010-2015 will be a period of consolidation and review of the existing schemes. All new schemes will be reviewed to ensure that learning aims and objectives and recruitment levels are being achieved.

2. In light of resources, we will consider the feasibility of on-campus masters degrees in Law and Criminology.

3. In light of resources, we will consider the feasibility of providing further ‘themed’ specialist versions of our general LLB scheme.

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4 4. We will review intake on all schemes in order to identify and determine the

viability of any schemes with a low intake.

5. We will receive the findings of the working party which was established in 2009 to explore the possibility of greater integration between the LLB and the Legal Practice Course.

6. We will establish a working party to explore the feasibility and possible content of a non-qualifying law degree in the area of law and society or law and policy.

Portfolio Renewal

Develop the portfolio of criminology schemes by introducing an

undergraduate degree scheme in law and criminology and in criminology and

psychology and explore the feasibility of an on-campus masters’ course in criminology reflecting the Department’s research interests

In addition to the BScEcon Criminology Degree (M900), the following new schemes involving Criminology were approved:

 BA (Law with Criminology) (M1M9 major/minor)

 BScEcon Criminology with Applied Psychology (M9C8 single honours)  Joint Honours BScEcon Psychology and

Criminology (CM89)

It was not considered feasible during this period to launch an on-campus masters course in criminology.

Introduce a LLM in International Business Law by DL by October 2007

Distance Learning Masters in International

Business Law was approved and started to run in 2009.

Explore possibility of extending the portfolio of DL Masters’ courses by developing schemes in Human Rights and

Humanitarian Law by 2008 & Applied Criminology by 2009

Distance Learning Masters in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law was approved and started to run in 2009.

It was considered that it was not feasible to develop a DL Postgraduate scheme in Applied Criminology during this period.

Establish a working party to investigate the

feasibility of an integrated three year LLB/LPC programme

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5 Welsh Medium Teaching

1. With an additional Welsh-medium postgraduate studentship, we will be able to increase the number of modules in which we offer Welsh-medium teaching. By the end of this plan, we will offer seminar teaching through the medium of Welsh in all of the core professional law modules.

2. We will introduce an additional elective law module to be taught exclusively through the medium of Welsh by the end of this plan.

3. We will continue to encourage students to undertake the Welsh-medium dissertation modules.

4. We aim to increase the percentage of Welsh-speaking students who take some of their modules through the medium of Welsh.

5. We will explore the feasibility and the resource implications of Welsh-medium Criminology provision and prepare a business plan to be submitted to the University.

6. We will continue to work on attracting a larger cohort of Welsh-speaking students through our increased recruitment activities in this area and our continued participation in Departmental workshops and the University Welsh-medium summer school for year 13 students and involvement in the

Cyfnawdd scholarship scheme.

7. We will continue to collaborate with other Law departments in Wales in the development and delivery of Welsh-medium modules.

8. We will introduce an element of Welsh-medium teaching in the Legal Practice Course electives.

Welsh Medium Teaching

Emphasise the

commitment to teaching the core modules through the medium of Welsh

By the end of this period, we had increased the number of core modules in which we provided teaching through the medium of Welsh.

By the end of this period, we had increased the percentage of teaching through the medium of Welsh on the following modules and had provided lectures in addition to seminars through the medium of Welsh in four core modules.

Encourage students to research dissertations through the medium of

We have created a GF version of the dissertation modules and have worked towards raising the profile of this module as an option for

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Welsh-Department of Law and Criminology Learning and Teaching Strategy: 2010-2015

6 Welsh Medium Teaching

Welsh speaking students.

Explore ways of encouraging Welsh

speaking students to study through the medium of Welsh

We have increased the information provided to new students regarding the availability of teaching through the medium of Welsh and also regarding the benefits of doing so.

Through our collaboration with other Law departments in Wales, we have offered our students the opportunity to take two additional elective modules through the medium of Welsh (modules delivered via video link from Bangor University).

Enhancement of the student and staff experience

1. We will continue to work to improve student awareness of the range of

feedback which is on offer in the Department and encourage students to take up the various opportunities to obtain feedback on their work.

2. We will survey current students in relation to feedback issues and will use the findings to develop our policies in relation to feedback.

3. We aim to increase awareness among all staff of the range of technologies which may enhance teaching and provide support to staff in order to

encourage increased use of appropriate technology in teaching. Technologies which may encourage greater student engagement will be explored in

particular.

4. We will monitor the operation of the first two-year cycle of Peer Observation of Teaching in the Department. A review will take place in 2011 and any

necessary amendments will be made in light of experience.

5. We will continue to explore methods for increasing student participation and engagement in lectures and in seminars.

6. Departmental co-ordinator on employability and careers will present a strategy to Learning and Teaching Committee, and then Departmental Board, to

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7 7. As soon as resources permit, the Criminal Justice work placement module

(approved under the previous plan) will be offered to students.

8. We will re-visit the induction programme and consider how to achieve student take-up of sessions which are offered after freshers’ week.

9. We will pilot a system of student peer-tutoring linked in the first instance to the induction programme.

10. We will make staff aware of the opportunities to apply for teaching enhancement funding.

11. We will encourage staff to apply for teaching excellence awards.

12. We encourage all staff to participate in appropriate staff development courses. 13. We will work with the University authorities to achieve the common goal of

excellence in teaching and we will urge the University to include all staff in the development of its policies so that a real sense of common purpose and ownership may be achieved.

Enhancement of the student and staff experience

Consolidate existing initiatives aimed at delivering targeted and appropriate feedback to students and continue to work on encouraging take up of feedback by

students

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8 Enhancement of the

student and staff experience

Develop the existing evaluation of student experience on modules via discussion in teaching teams, Staff-Student Consultative Committee and the Learning and Teaching Committee

This is ongoing.

In 2009, the dissertation modules were brought within the module evaluation system.

Evaluation of degree schemes (as well as individual modules) was introduced during this period: the challenge is to increase student response levels.

Explore methods of increasing participation and engagement in seminars

This is ongoing. It continues to be a particular challenge in relation to the first year.

Issue discussed at staff teaching seminar. New attendance recording system introduced in 2009.

Increase employability by encouraging greater participation in year in employment and

exchange schemes and explore the feasibility of student work placements and work experience modules.

This is ongoing.

Criminal justice work placement module approved during this period.

Senior member of staff appointed to co-ordinate and develop the Department’s response to the University’s employability strategy.

Closer links forged with the Careers Service. Revise the induction

programme with the aim of targeting and delivering information and assistance to students at the point of need

Revision of induction programme undertaken. Ongoing discussion as to how to ensure take-up of sessions which are after the induction week.

Pilot a system of peer tutoring linked in the first instance to the induction programme

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9 Enhancement of the

student and staff experience

Develop a series of

focused staff seminars on teaching related topics to assist both staff enrolled on the PGCTHE and more experienced staff.

A regular series of teaching discussion seminars was introduced and has been a valuable forum for discussions on issues including assessment and feedback, seminar participation, the dissertation modules, peer observation of teaching.

A departmental policy on Peer Observation of Teaching was approved in 2008 and entered into operation in 2009/10 session.