Moodle@Warwick

A. Mode of Study

• This module is COMPULSORY.

• Sessions will also take place in LIB 2 on Wednesdays between 2pm – 4pm.

B. Introduction to the Module



The aim of the module is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to develop critical reading, writing and research skills in preparation for undertaking independent research and writing up academic work. This module brings together experts from the Law School, Library and Student Careers and Skills. The module is taught in Terms 1, 2 & 3.



C. Principal Module Aims
The Legal Research and Writing Skills module is a core component of the taught LLM programme. It is designed primarily to prepare students for the research and writing requirements associated with their assessments including essays and examinations, and the dissertation element of the LLM.


D. Outline of Topics

· Mastering Your Masters

· Developing and Applying Critical Reading Skills

· Developing Research and Writing Skills

· Choosing a Dissertation Topic

· Conducting a Literature Survey

· Good Academic Practice

· Choosing Your Dissertation Topic

· Dissertation Planning

· Project Planning and Management

· Specialist Dissertation Research

· Building, Structuring and Articulating Arguments

· Working with Feedback

· Peer Learning


E. Assessment

This module is linked to your assessed essays, examinations and the LLM Dissertation module. It is aimed at supporting the completion of your assessments and the 10,000 words dissertation due at the end of the academic year.



F. Materials

Useful materials online through the module website. You will also find presentations and other supplementary materials and links to useful resources on the module website.



G. Timetable
* Session topics may change



Term 1





Weeks 1 & 2: No class

Week 3: Introduction to Postgraduate Legal Study
-- introducing academic expectations for postgraduate study in law including the nature of knowledge production, participation in academic debates, and the importance of disciplinary literacy.

Week 4: Conducting a Literature Survey
-- led by Jackie Hanes, Research and Academic Support Librarian; focusing on planning a literature search and finding academic and legal information for essays and assignments; introducing specialist library and legal research resources for students on the different LLM pathways.

Week 5: Moving from ‘Consumer’ to ‘Producer’ of Knowledge
-- introducing some of the skills necessary to support your journey from a ‘consumer’ of knowledge to a ‘producer’ of knowledge; exploring some essential skills that will help you make the most out of your LLM and teach you how to embed them in your study and research.

Week 6: no class (reading week).

Week 7: academic citation
-- led by Jackie Hanes, Research and Academic Support Librarian; focusing on the use of OSCOLA in legal academic writings.

Week 8: Writing: A Matter of Presenting Research
-- introducing legal wirting style; providing tips for good legal writing.

Week 9: Good Academic Practice
-- introducing the Law Schoo's policy on academi integrity and AI's use in this regard; distingusihing between good academic practice and bad academic practice; helping to enhance academic prowess by learning how to avoid charges of plagiarism including the importance of paraphrasing, referencing, and attribution.

Week 10: Q&A and Feedback.

Module page for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Module page for the 2024-2025 academic year.