1. “TOWARDS A CURRICULUM FOR AN EDUCATIONAL LAW DEGREE”
ALT Conference - April 2017
“TOWARDS A CURRICULUM FOR AN EDUCATIONAL LAW DEGREE”
Accalia Atkinson-Payne, Winchester University
Dr Lars Mosesson, Bucks New University

2. “TOWARDS A CURRICULUM FOR AN EDUCATIONAL LAW DEGREE”
Our view is that designing an educational curriculum is not just a matter of listing topics, but must address and integrate four overlapping & interconnected issues:
What is the purpose of an educational Law degree?
B. What content should it have?
C. How should it be delivered?
D. How should it be assessed?

3. A. The Purpose of an Educational Law Degree
The foundations for designing the degree
What are we trying to achieve through running a Law degree?
How do we want the students to change and grow through the experience?
1. Knowledge
Surface knowledge > Deep knowledge > Understanding
- of the Law & about Law
2. Skills
How to use the law, how to do Law = Law as an activity
a. i. Analysis - ii. Research & selection - iii. Application, problem-solving, communication
b. i. Words & language – ii. Technical – iii. Interpersonal
3. Attitude
Willing, wanting & able to engage, explore, think, be challenged, challenge, grow, share, respect, fail, see anew, take responsibility, have confidence, develop disciplined creativity … 

4. B. The Specific Content of an Educational Law Degree
Specific educational issues in a Law degree
QLD prescribes, but only the outline & not the approach or detail
Balance essentials of Law - with strengths & interests of academics
- and of “the market”
1. Compulsory (core) subjects?
Should there be any?
= if so, which ones?
In substantive Law & beyond it
2. Optional subjects
In Law & non-Law

5. C. The Delivery of an Educational Law Degree
Our job is not primarily to transmit information
- but to explain & interpret - & inspire & empower
Variety of adult students & variety of ways they may learn
- Balance these factors … with Discipline of Law
Lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, independent research, discovery…
All have their places, if used well!
Think through why we are using each of them.

6. D. The Assessment of an Educational Law Degree
“A culture of assessment breeds a culture of dependency”
What are we trying to assess?
Assessing understanding & skills & attitude, not mere knowledge
How do the assessments tie in with and effect the purpose, content & delivery?
How should and can we achieve this?
- Variety is desirable:
- E.g: Written unseen examinations, open-book or seen written examinations, take-home assessments (e.g. 24-hour), oral examinations, coursework, presentations, mooting, reflective logs …