BASC0057: Law in Action
Practice Essay and Final Coursework Essay Assignment 2024
Essay Topic (this is same topic for both the Practice and Final Essays):
Is it true that “Judges rule on the basis of law, not public opinion, and they should be totally indifferent to pressures of the times”?
Please choose one of the cases we have studied this term and answer the essay question using the case you have chosen as an example.
The cases we will have covered in class this term are:
· R v R
· The Case of the Speluncean Explorers
· UNISON v Lord Chancellor
· Chandler v Cape
· Adams v Cape Industries
· ClientEarth v Shell and others
· Re: Ellenborough Park
· Regency Villas Title Ltd and others v Diamond Resorts (Europe) Ltd and others
· Fearn and others v Board of Trustees of the Tate Gallery
The Objective in writing the essay
The essay topic requires you to write an “argumentative essay” based a case and other readings covered in class. This is not a research essay. It does not require you to go beyond the material on this subject covered in class and on Moodle. The objective in the essay is for you to demonstrate that:
1. you have understood the material on this subject we have covered in class;
2. you understand court judgments and can follow the court’s reasoning in a case;
3. based on this, you can form. an opinion about the relative strengths and weaknesses of statement in the essay topic.
If you want to include additional material you can but you must remember that:
· It is not necessary to go beyond the course readings.
· You must cover the material in the course readings related to this topic even if you include additional material.
· You will not get extra points for using additional material and you will lose points for not including all the relevant material from the course.
Practice Essay Length: maximum 2,500 words
Final Essay: maximum length 3,000 words (100% of your grade in the course)
· The word length includes footnotes/references but not the Bibliography
Practice Essay & Final Essay: Because the case you choose for your Practice Essay is the same for your Final Essay, this means you will have written 2500 words on the Final Essay topic, received feedback and an indicative grade on this before you submit your Final Essay. This approach is designed to enable you to most effectively demonstrate your learning from the course.
Assessment of Practice Essay: You will receive detailed feedback on your Practice Essay that indicates where you have fulfilled the assignment well and where you may need to revise the essay to improve your Final Essay. You will also receive an indicative grade.
KEY DATES
ESSAY REVIEW CLASS: There will be an Essay Review Class on 18 March (you will also be able to download the PowerPoint from this Review Class on Moodle)
Practice Essay due: 15 April 2024 (23:59)
Feedback sent by: 22 April 2024
Final Essay due: 15 May 2024
How to submit Practice Essay (this ONLY applies to the Practice Essay NOT the Final Essay)
· Please email your Practice Essay directly to Maria Diaz at [email protected]
· Your Practice Essay must be a WORD document. Your Practice Essay must NOT be submitted as any other file format (eg, not a PDF or RTF).
· Your Practice Essay must double-spaced
Guidance on writing an argumentative essay:
The following provides some general guidance on writing this type of essay.
Do:
· Make sure you clearly answer the question posed
· Cover the key academic writings on the subject – as covered in the course
· Clearly outline in your introductory paragraph:
o Why this is an important issue
o What the main arguments are both for and against
o What side of the argument you will adopt in the essay
· You should see your introduction as a mini essay: Imagine if all the rest of the essay was lost - the reader should still be able to know what the full essay covered
Do Not do the following:
· Do not answer a different question than the question posed
· Do not use the first person (“I feel that …”). Instead say something like “It can be argued that …”. Even better, if the view is expressed by an expert (ie, an author in one of your readings) then say “As Jones argues …”.
· Do not assume that your reader knows the material already. Your essay should be a guide to the reader and a reasoned essay in which you persuade the reader of the strength of your argument.
· Do not use section headings or number your paragraphs. This is an essay that needs to present a single narrative from beginning to end. Also there are a limited number of words you can use so any headings are wasted words.
· Do not cite seminar PowerPoints or notes you have taken in class – find the original authoritative source, or turn it into an opinion you are expressing in the essay backed up by reference to academic work
· Do not exceed the word limit. Remember – it doesn’t have to be to the maximum number of words allowed, but it cannot be more than the stated maximum. The key is to cover all the relevant arguments and references – if you can do it in fewer words, fine. You will be penalised for essays that exceed the word limit. CHECK UCL and BASc policy for 2023-24 policy on exceeding the word limit in essay assignments.
Remember: You can always speak to Professor Thomas or any of the other tutors on the course if you are concerned or confused at all about the assignment. To make an appointment please contact Maria Diaz at [email protected]