LENGTH OF COURSE

AS course – 1 year

A2 course – 1 year

Examination Board

AQA

Assessment Method and Component Percentages

All three module of each year will be examined by a 1 ¼ hour formal examination.  Each examination will be worth 15% of your final grade.  The last module of each year (modules 3 and 6) will be longer at 1 ½ hours and will be worth 20% of your final grade.  All examinations will be essay questions with the exception of module three where you will be faced with a problem scenario and asked a number of shorter questions.

AS course – three modules and three examinations.  No coursework.

A2 course – three modules and three examinations.  No coursework

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 7 grades A* - C at GCSE including a B in English Language, GCSE law would be and advantage  but no previous experience of this subject is required.

What You Will Learn

AS course.

Module one

Law making.  This module will introduce you to Parliament and how our laws are made and how they can be changed.  You will study how the law is enforced and look at how the European Union can make laws for us here in the UK.

Module two

Dispute solving.  This module will focus on how problems are solved by the courts.  You will study barristers and solicitor and consider the role of the judge. You will study the whole court system in detail.

Module three

The concept of liability.  This is the final module of AS Law and will focus on criminal activity.  You will understand detailed definitions of the worst crimes known to man.  Both fatal and non-fatal crimes will be studied and how criminals who commit these dreadful acts can be punished by the criminal courts.

A2 course.

Module four

Criminal Law.  In this module you will take a much closer look at the dark side of life.  You will study murder, suicide, assault, wounding and battery in the first half of the module.  The second half will consider how people who commit these crimes can avoid prison by claiming a defence such as insanity or intoxication by drink or drugs.

Module five

Law of Tort.  Tort is a French word that means wrong or wicked act.  Here you will discover what you can do if you have a noisy or smelly neighbour.  You will study what can be done about those who tell lies about you or how you can get help from the courts if you suffer any kind of loss from someone not doing their job properly.

Module six (Synoptic unit)

The concepts of Law.  This final module draws together the main ideas that you will have studied in the other five areas.  You will study the theories of justice and consider the relationship between law and morals and how our values can be legally enforced.

How You Will Learn

Through a combination of formal teaching, discussion, individual and group presentations, homework and classwork activities, independent learning, regular testing and school visits (Crown Court) and guest speakers.  All students will have the opportunity to win the much coveted ‘Copland Law Award’ as seen in the local press.

Subject Expectations

Commitment to success, self-discipline in meeting deadlines, commitment to independent learning and good analytical skills.

Career Opportunities

A qualification in law will be very well respected and understood by both employers and Universities alike.  Because law effects all of us all of the time this will be a useful qualification for any career path and not just those people who are hoping to join the legal profession.

Allied Subjects

Law is an excellent complementary subject to courses in English, Sociology or Economics.  Skills such as critical thinking and essay writing will be developed in Law and will support all academic programmes of Advanced Level.

Key Skills

This subject offers opportunities for students to develop the nationally specified Key Skills.  The development of student Key Skills enrich their programme of study.  It will also allow them to gain acknowledged qualifications that is valued by employers and providers of higher education. The main key skills, communication, Information Technology and application of numbers are available at Level 1,2 or 3.

Staff Contact

If you would like further detail please see Mr N Walker or Miss E Griffiths