Rethinking the Public Law Syllabus Carol Howells and Simon Lavis, The Open University
First presented in October 2022 W211 Public law introduces the concepts and principles of public law from a range of perspectives emphasising critical engagement, contextual understanding and the every-day relevance of public law. W211 takes a holistic approach to teaching constitutional, administrative and human rights law, enabling students to understand how the different areas relate to each other and collectively to their lives. It is underpinned by two ideas (1) the distinct understanding of and approach to public law within each of the UK nations; and (2) the rights of individuals including equality, discrimination, access to justice and the treatment of minorities. Choice is provided in the study materials and in assessments to encourage engagement, autonomy and to enhance retention and progression. Assessments are research-focused and scaffolded to support the incremental development of research skills and collaboration. Placing emphasis on providing context for the understanding of rules and principles that form public law W211 empowers students to grow as confident learners with the ability to be informed critics. Two distinct streams of study are offered. The core public law content taught in each of these streams is similar, but the emphasis, context and perspectives adopted vary. Alongside the development of key research skills, students develop other core legal, academic and study skills including reflection and personal development, working with others, writing for different audiences, reading complex texts, developing and supporting legal arguments and resilience. Studied in the equivalent of Year 2 of a traditional degree the W211 module team reflect on their experiences of the opportunities and challenges redefining their syllabus created. The OU has a presence in all the UK nations and its first courses were offered in the year devolution took place. The team reflect this impact and the work undertaken to prepare public lawyers of the future.
What is the Law School For? - Contemporary Public Legal Education Dr David Yuratich and Dr Craig Newbery-Jones, University of Exeter
Public legal education (‘PLE’) is becoming an increasingly significant part of the policy and practices of law schools in England and Wales. Often, PLE is conceived in terms of public legal advice, for example through university law clinics or within Streetlaw initiatives; or it is framed as an exercise in public legal training, for example in terms of capacity-building. In this paper, we seek to challenge this dominant paradigm of PLE by re-conceiving it as a broader enterprise, one that has increasing importance in contemporary society and for the democratisation of legal knowledge. To begin, we examine PLE in the context of the interplay between different temporalities and argue that PLE should be reconceptualised as a form of literacy education to address a multitude of issues effecting society. We will then proceed to reflect on and propose potential shapes, spaces, and places for PLE in the 21st century, to argue for a more inclusive, adaptable, and innovative approach to legal education that aligns with the evolving needs of a diverse public and the dynamic demands of the rapidly changing world. This exploration will delve into the integration of cutting-edge technologies, collaborative pedagogies, and sustainable design principles. Through this analysis, we aim to establish a compelling case for reimagining educational shapes, spaces, and places to ensure the empowerment of individuals in an interconnected society, where knowledge is not only acquired but actively applied to contribute to positive societal transformation.
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