POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION. PG Diploma Family Law and Society. Blended Learning (Full-Time and 2 Year Part-Time)

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1 POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Programme Title: Awarding Body: Teaching Institution: Law Masters Awards Staffordshire University Staffordshire University Final Awards: Intermediate Awards: Mode of Study MA Family Law Society PG Certificate Family Law Society PG Diploma Family Law Society Blended Learning (Full-Time 2 Year Part-Time) UCAS Codes: N/A QAA Subject Benchmarks: Master s Degree Characteristics (2010) JACS Code: M200 Professional/Statutory Body: N/A Date of Production: May 2015 Date of Revision: May 2020 If you require this document in a larger text or a different medium please contact us. 1

2 EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME Award Aims: Introduce the student to the leading edge of the subject of each module studied allow the opportunity to engage with contemporary, authentic debates; Enhance research, independent study communication skills; Develop rigour in the identification of problems related issues; Enhance reflective analytical critical skills; Encourage innovative approaches to problems issues; Enhance the employability of graduates; Allow students to underst global issues from different perspectives cultures. In addition to the general aims above, as a blended-learning course, Family Law Society has the following additional specific aims: Underst, develop a critical understing, of the interaction between family healthcare law with related policy in the UK; Develop socio-legal competencies within the specialised sector; What is distinctive about this programme? The award in Family Law Society has been specifically designed to appeal to professionals working within the family law field who wish to either enhance their skills or gain advanced critical knowledge of the latest developments in the area, or move into more academicallyfocused study. The nature of the award means that it is practice-informed also caters for recent graduates who wish to develop the necessary skills to pursue careers in the area. Family law sits at the heart of a functioning society affects everyone. This award covers the law relating to the family in its widest context. This includes family members from cradle to grave the many varied family forms that the current law attempts to cater for. While the emphasis is the law relating to the family, healthcare, education procreation are all part of the modules available under this award. This new exciting award explores the family, its legal dynamics, within a socio-legal context whereby both policy law are critically evaluated. Blended Learning Programme The blended learning programme (BLP) enables the freedom flexibility to study in an online learning environment in combination with concentrated face-to-face sessions so is particularly suited to those seeking to combine work with postgraduate study. In particular, this combined MA pathway is currently unique in relation to UK-competitor institutions. This delivery pattern will also allow a greater number of people to balance personal, family or work commitments with engaging in ( completing) postgraduate education. The Staffordshire University BLP demonstrates innovation in relation to its learning, teaching assessment strategies : Students are able to balance their working personal lives through asynchronous assessment teaching tasks while also receiving the benefit of face to face classes workshops. The assessments are strongly student-focused, diverse practice-informed allowing customisation to individual circumstances topic interests. 2

3 The common core structure applicable to the award will enable the amendment of modules in response to changes in political, social /or legal developments without the need to validate new awards. Subject specialisation In contemporary society, ideas of family, parenthood healthcare are changing this award looks at those changes in a holistic socio-legal context. The subject mix research-informed teaching focus of the subjects offered in the blended learning MA in Family Law Society award is particularly distinctive to Staffordshire. For example, international research on forced marriage, FGM assisted reproduction is examined in depth along with more traditional areas such as divorce child protection issues. The award also allows the student to engage with emerging discourse on Elder Law which is a growth sector for professionals internationally. The vocational/practical element is important as it ensures that the subjects are strongly work-related can be applied to individual graduate student s current, or future, employment. The award can be distinguished from similar awards on the market, because it includes some unique modules that are not offered elsewhere as a family based distance LLM/MA, for example, Elder Law Decision Making at the End of Life Children Healthcare. These modules are especially pertinent to the changes in social family policy relating to The Care Act 2015 coming into force in April 2015, further policy legal change being introduced by the new Government (June 2015) Working in the field of family law requires professionals to have a good understing of contemporary law its social ethical context. While family law policy remains controversial fluid this course will enable students to evaluate implement future changes in law police in the workplace. Having a through understing of the socio legal context of the regulation of the family will enable students to enhance their career prospects by being able to demonstrate they are able to underst the legal regulation of the family in its widest context. Following the core module in research methods (delivered with the MA HRM Employment Law) the taught modules, the dissertation project modules will enable student s to tailor their award to suit their own professional requirements interests. This award accords with the Quality Assurance Agency s (QAA) policy of Master s Degree Characteristics (2010) 3

4 PROGRAMME OUTCOMES What will this programme teach me to do? At the end of your studies you should be able to: Postgraduate Certificate Identification justification of a sound theoretical framework adapted for your proposed research within the field of family healthcare law. (Knowledge & Understing, Learning & Problem Solving.) Use written communication research skills, at an advanced level to find information to explain contemporary debate. Present highly complex arguments, proposals, ideas while adapting to different audiences circumstances in the socio legal framework of family healthcare law. (Communication) Demonstrate a critical understing of the sensitive ethical concerns around conducting making use of family healthcare research. (Application) Demonstrate initiative personal responsibility in identifying integrating relevant professional literature family policy to enhance support advanced level study. (Analysis) Postgraduate Diploma Demonstrate a systematic understing of knowledge a critical awareness of current legal problems in the widest context of family healthcare law. (Knowledge & Understing) Recognise evaluate the potential difficulties opportunities that are involved in implementing interpreting the law of the family. (Analysis & Reflection) Conceive develop strategies to reconcile law policy, where there are competing interests in the family context, communicating any conclusions clearly succinctly. (Communication) Critically engage in seminar debates, on-line discussion forums focus group sessions to challenge how legal principles are regulated inform policy. (Communication, Enquiry) Demonstrate initiative personal responsibility in identifying integrating relevant professional academic literature. (Application, Learning) Masters Justify integrate the appropriate research paradigms, methods processes within the context of a small scale legal research or library based study. (Knowledge & Understing, Enquiry) Develop, implement manage an independent programme of extended legal research, evidencing an in-depth understing of ethical concerns advanced scholarship in the field of the family or healthcare law. (Reflection, Learning) Critically analyse synthesise material from many sources (academic practical) to assist your work to clarify the family societal legal problem(s) under investigation. (Analysis, Application) Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge understing to new or existing complex legal policy problems in the sphere of family healthcare law.(problem Solving, Application) Communicate in a structured written format appropriate to the presentation of a Masters Dissertation. (Communication, Reflection, Learning) 4

5 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, MODULES AND CREDITS MA Family Law Society 2 Year Part-Time Award Structure YEAR 1 Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Certificate Level Teaching Semesters Research Methods (Core - 15 credits) Human Rights the Changing Family (Core - 15 credits) Elder Law Decision Making at the End of Life (Option - 15 credits) 1 x 15 credit Project (Option) 1 x 30 credit project or 1 x 30 credit work-based project YEAR 2 Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3: Masters Level Diploma Level Teaching Semesters Credits Capacity Consent Disability (Option - 15 credits) Child Protection with a Focus on Health (Option - 15 credits) Final Dissertation (Core) 60 Credits 5

6 Full-Time 1 Year Award Structure YEAR 1 Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 FULL TIME Teaching Semesters Research Methods (Core - 15 credits) Human Rights the Changing Family (Core - 15 credits) Elder Law Decision Making at the End of Life (Option - 15 credits) 1 x 15 credit Project (Option) 1 x 30 credit project or 1 x 30 credit work-based project MASTERS LEVEL Capacity Consent Disability (Option - 15 credits) Child Protection with a Focus on Health (Option - 15 credits) 60 Credit Dissertation (Core) In order to progress from one stage of an award to another (e.g. PgCert to PgDip), you must normally obtain a Pass in all modules. Otherwise, Award-specific regulations must permit compensation of a failed module or retrieval of failure at a subsequent stage of your programme of study. Potential Exit award PG Certificate (Family Law Society) Legal Research Methodology (LRM) [15 credits] + Additional credits from the list of law modules [45 credits] Potential Exit award PG Diploma (Family Law Society) Legal Research Methodology (LRM) [15 credits] + Additional credits from the list of law modules [105 credits] 6

7 HOW WILL I BE TAUGHT AND ASSESSED? Teaching Learning The blended learning approach of this award is underpinned by an academic group that has a very wide experience of innovative approaches to curriculum development, teaching, learning assessment as well as the research-informed knowledge understing of the subject area. The MA in Family Law Society by itself does not provide direct professional routes into particular employment is therefore not regulated by the legal profession. However it does allow postgraduate students to learn, develop enhance the skills (both academic professional) that they will utilise in their future careers or will enhance existing careers practice. The teaching learning on the award is undertaken predominantly through the University s virtual learning platform (Blackboard), supported where appropriate by specialised e-learning technological tools. The award commences with a 2 day face to face induction programme in September each academic year whereby students are supported to enter a community of post-graduate study practice. As well as commencing the Research Methods module, during this initial period great emphasis is placed on ensuring that each student understs the relationship between the concentrated face to face sessions the online learning communication which is scheduled to take place between attendance at University. The 2 day induction period also involves opportunities to meet network with tutors, external professionals other students within the post-graduate community at Staffordshire. Attendance at all face to face sessions throughout the award is compulsory. Thereafter, each module will start with a face to face two hour workshop at one of the concentrated learning blocks scheduled throughout the year. These sessions take place during 4 x 2 day blocks throughout each year of the award following award induction. An additional day in semester 3 is also organised to support students to commence the research preparation for the project-based /or dissertation work to be completed during semester 3 of the award. Each module will have a range of online tasks to complete which will be supported by an online reading list, multimedia resources collaborative activity thereby allowing students to engage with fellow students tutors at a time which suits their particular personal circumstances. Tutors will also be available at regular times over this period via social /or traditional media. There will also be a number of face to face concentrated teaching sessions between students staff in order to increase the community feel provide space for more detailed interactions. As the award is at post-graduate level, students will be supported encouraged throughout the their studies to develop both their own independent learning skills, also their own personal learning networks within the groups wider communities. This will not only enhance their learning experience but ensure that they grow the networks they will later be using in practice. 7

8 Assessment The specific assessments vary between the individual modules, but all blended-learning modules on the award are guided by a number of core principles. The assessments are: strongly student-centred, (where possible) customisable to the individual needs research interests of the students. The assessments for the module Research Methods incorporates a research proposal which may be further developed for one of the projects or dissertation modules reflects the high skills component with the modules, the fact that this learning will continue throughout the entire post-graduate study rather than being located in one fixed initial time place. The University s principles of effective feedback will be provided to students on all aspects of their work through a variety of mechanisms including tutor-led assessment peer review. All postgraduate work is subject to second marking review by the Award team. A sample of assessments is sent to the subject external examiner in line with the general policy of the Law School. If examinations are used by any module, students must be prepared to attend the University on the relevant date to sit the examination which will be scheduled during the relevant assessment period. Such attendance is in attendance to any scheduled attendance at award sessions. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Entry Requirements (including IELTS score) What qualifications would I need to join this programme? The entry requirements for the award are: A Lower Second Class Honours Degree (2.II) in Law, or an equivalent related subject or professional qualification. IELTS Score of 7 or equivalent (If English is not your first language). Disability Statement Staffordshire University operates a policy of inclusive teaching learning to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: 8

9 AWARD SPECIFIC INFORMATION Further information about the award can be found in the relevant Student Hbook on the University Website. This includes information about optional modules, student support, academic regulations. ==================================== 9