Contemporary Issues in Law (M4004)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

On this module, you’ll explore contemporary issues in law, focusing on legal areas undergoing transformation or in need of reform.

Key topics include:

• media law and practice, such as privacy and internet regulation
• medical law and ethics, including euthanasia and abortion
• environmental protection, such as responses to climate change
• human rights, focusing on marginalised rights.

You’ll develop analytical skills by examining how law responds to current controversies. You’ll also enhance your research and writing abilities through the creation of a research plan and a substantive piece of writing on a legal area requiring reform.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 148 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 126 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.