Introduction to English Common Law
- Offered byCoursera
Introduction to English Common Law at Coursera Overview
Duration | 20 hours |
Start from | Start Now |
Total fee | Free |
Mode of learning | Online |
Difficulty level | Beginner |
Official Website | Explore Free Course  |
Credential | Certificate |
Introduction to English Common Law at Coursera Highlights
- 29% started a new career after completing these courses.
- Earn a shareable certificate upon completion.
- Flexible deadlines according to your schedule.
Introduction to English Common Law at Coursera Course details
- The common law of England and Wales is one of the major global legal traditions.
- This MOOC will give you an introduction to this influential legal system including its history, constitutional background, sources and institutions. You?ll learn about the different ways in which laws are made and interpreted, the English court system and the increasing importance of European Union and human rights law. Now is an especially exciting time to be learning about English common law, given the potential changes that lie ahead in today's political, economic and social environment ? all these pose challenges to and opportunities for the law.
- Each week we'll focus on one aspect of English common law, using video lectures, readings, discussion questions and activities to enable you to learn about and evaluate key issues. Whether undertaken as a standalone course, or as preparation for the University of London?s world-class LLB degree, you will find this course interesting and stimulating.
- Please note that participation in or completion of this online course will not confer academic credit for University of London programmes.
Introduction to English Common Law at Coursera Curriculum
Week One
Introduction to the English Legal System
Welcome to the course!
Welcome to Week 1
Key features of English law
The origins of common law
Common law and equity
Themes in common law
End of Week Summary
Terminology Explainer
A note about Community Mentors, Role and Responsibilities
What is law?
The Magna Carta
Recent legal history
Historical traditions
Common law and civil law systems
Types of law and classifications
Key dates in legal history
End of Week 1 Quiz
Week Two
Constitutional Principles of the English Legal System
What is a constitution?
The sources of the British constitution
Rule of Law
Separation of Powers
End of Week Summary
Parliamentary Sovereignty
Optional activity: Lord Bingham and the Rule of Law
Entick v Carrington and the principle of legality
Optional Activity: Professor Jowell and the Rule of Law
Optional further reading
The British constitution
End of Week 2 Quiz
Week Three
The Court System
Welcome to Week 3
The structure of the courts
The civil courts
The criminal courts
Online courts: The courts of the future?
End of Week Summary
Structure of the courts diagram
The Supreme Court
More on the civil courts
More on the criminal courts
Tribunals
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Mediation
Optional further reading
Name the ADR method
End of Week 3 Quiz
Week Four
Statutes
Welcome to Week 4
What is a statute?
The problem of language
The traditional approach of the courts
The modern approach of the courts (1)
End of Week Summary
Constitutional statutes
How are statutes made?
More on how statutes are made
The modern approach of the courts (2)
Making statutes simpler
Optional further reading
Name the type of legislation
Name the approach to statutory interpretation
End of Week 4 Quiz
Week Five
Case Law
Welcome to Week 5
What is case law?
Advantages and disadvantages of precedent
Judges and the law
End of Week Summary
What is judicial precedent ?
Reading case law
Top tips
Optional further reading
End of Week 5 Quiz
Week Six
The European Union, European Convention on Human Rights and Human Rights Act 1998
Welcome to Week 6
Background of the European Union
The nature of the European Union: a unique legal order
The European Union?s institutions
The impact of EU Law on English law
Leaving the European Union
Overview of the ECHR and the HRA
Human Rights Act 1998
End of Week Summary
Conclusion
A note on Brexit
Activity: European Union institutions
Direct participation in the European Union?
Activity on EU Member States
Sources of law in the European Union
The supremacy of EU law
Activity: Triggering Article 50
Brexit: the transition period
What are Human Rights?
Optional further reading
European Citizens' Initiatives
EEC/EU Membership
End of Week 6 Quiz
Introduction to English Common Law at Coursera Admission Process
Important Dates
Other courses offered by Coursera
Student Forum
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