LW2REL: Religion and Law

Module code: LW2REL

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Ms Sharon Sinclair-Graham, email: sharon.sinclair-graham@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 27 June 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This option is designed to help students understand the intersectionality of law with a variety of different areas of religion and how different religions impact on the law.  It looks to cultivate critical understanding of the role of religion in law.   

The module to aims to provide both theoretical and critical knowledge of this intersectionality and will provide a wide ranges of perspectives of religious freedom within the English Legal System as well as International Human Rights.   

You will examine the interrelationship between law and the other social and cultural elements whilst adopting key employability skills required of a good law student. 

Specific topics may change on a yearly basis. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate a good understanding of the law and definitions of religion from varying socio-legal perspectives. 
2. Recognition of freedom of religion and its impact on the English Legal System and interaction with key legislation 
3. Students will also develop research and critical analytical skills especially when interpreting cases and legislation 
4. Demonstrate an ability to apply core legal and transferable skills, particularly skills of legal research, analysis, writing, and oral presentation to definite factual situations and problems  

Module content

The module will look at a range of topics including:

• Religion and Healthcare law
• Religion and Criminology
• Discrimination and Religion
• Religion from a Malaysian Perspective
• Shari’a law and women’s rights
• Islamic Divorce and the English Legal System

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

In Semester 2 there will be a 2-hour lectures per week (total 22 hours) thirteen hours of blended activity (13 in total) five 2-hour workshop once per fortnight (total 10 hours) and five 1-hour tutorial once per fortnight (total 5 hours) (total 50 hours contact time).  

In the workshops and tutorials there will be a focus on formative activities (for example including debates, case briefs, problem questions, group presentation) which the students will need to prepare in advance and bring to the relevant workshop or tutorial. We will be encouraging questions and peer review from the observing students. There is an expectation of whole-class participation.  

Study hours

At least 37 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Problem Question Plan to be handed in week 9 – this will be based on the summative problem question. 

Reassessment

Additional costs