INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA
COURSE OUTLINE
Kulliyyah / Institute
Centre for Foundation Studies
Department / Centre
Laws
Programme
Law Foundation
Name of Course / Mode
Introduction to Legal Skills
Course Code
LAF 2133
Name of Academic Mdm. Mizan Muhammad (mizan_muhammad@iium.edu.my)
Mr. Mahyuddin Daud (mahyuddin@iium.edu.my)
Staff/ Instructor(s)
Rationale for the
inclusion of the
course/module in the
programme
This course is a core course required for the Law Foundation programme as
specified by Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University
Malaysia.
Introduction to Legal Skills is designed to provide elementary academic and
practical skills for law foundation students. The skills include research, reading,
analysing and writing.
Semester and Year
Offered
Status
Semesters I and II
Level
Foundation
Core
NIL
1
2
Independent
Learning
Others
30
Others
Practical
26
End-ofSem
Exam
Lecture
Semester 1, 2013 / 2014
Proposed Start Date
Batch of Student to Intake 2011/2012 onwards
be Affected
Student Learning Time
Face to Face
(SLT)
Teaching
Assessment
1
64
Total
123
Credit Value (hours)
Pre-requisites
(if any)
Co-requisites
(if any)
Course Objectives
3
None
None
The objectives are as follows:
improve student’s study and thinking skills.
enhance the students’ language proficiency and communication skills.
familiarise the students with the basic skills of legal research.
inculcate critical thinking amongst students in solving legal problems
through dynamic and interactive learning.
At the end of the course, the students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Learning Outcome
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Transferable Skills
Teaching-Learning/
assessment strategy
apply study techniques and exam skills.
demonstrate a satisfactory performance in comprehension skills.
develop critical thinking.
communicate their ideas effectively.
search for the law.
The followings are the skills acquired by the students at the end of the course
1.
Reading and writing skills are inculcated throughout the course when
students are required to review selected articles to obtain relevant
information for problem solving.
2.
Communication skills encompassing oral and written skills are further
developed during tutorial sessions and public speaking assessment.
3.
Research skills are developed through the requirement to conduct
research to identify the relevant sources to search for the law.
4.
Problems solving skills are developed through tutorials and
assignments when students are assigned with the task of answering
tutorial questions.
5.
Teamwork skills are developed when students are assigned to solve
problems through group work and small group discussion techniques.
6.
Presentation skills either orally or by using multimedia is developed
when students are assigned to present their research findings in class.
Type of Assessment
Public speaking / Debate
Description
Oral presentation on selected
topics
by
applying
communication skills.
Analysis of case reports thorough
group work and small group
discussions.
Case Brief
2
Evaluating the ability to conduct
legal research.
Library Quiz
Presentation of legal proceedings
based on decided cases by
applying theoretical and practical
legal skills.
Mock Trial
Test
Evaluating the understanding of
basic concepts taught
Evaluating the understanding of
the
concepts
taught
and
application of the concept to a
given problem.
End of Semester
Examination
Course Synopsis
The course is designed to provide elementary academic and practical skills
for law students. The skills include research, reading, analysing and writing.
Mode of Delivery
Lectures, Tutorials/Class Activities, Group Work and Group Discussions.
Course Assessment
LO
3, 4
METHOD
Public Speaking / Debate
PERCENTAGE
(%)
10
2, 4, 5 Case Brief
10
2, 5
Library Quiz
10
2, 3,
4, 5
All
Mock Trial
20
Test
10
All
End-of-semester examination
40
Total
100
3
Mapping of course / module to the Programme Learning Outcomes
Programme Outcomes
Learning Outcome of the course
01
√
1.
Apply study techniques and exam skills.
2.
Demonstrate a satisfactory performance in
comprehension skills.
√
3.
Develop critical thinking.
-
4.
Communicate their ideas effectively.
-
5.
Search for the law.
√
02
03
04
05
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
√
-
-
-
√
√
√
-
-
-
-
√
06
√
√
1
Learning
Hours
4
Topics
1. INTRODUCTION & MIND
SETTING OF THE COURSE
1.1 Learning the Law
1.2 English for Law
 Technical Terms
o Legal Abbreviations
o Legal Terminologies
2&3
√
-
-
-
Task/Reading
8
(Yaqin, 2007, chap. 1 and 4)
(Williams, 2002, chap. 12)
2. LEGAL RESEARCH
2.1 What is legal research?
2.2 Types of Legal Research
 Library Research
 Online Research
4
-
√
(Williams, 2002, chap. 1 and 5)
(Fafinski, 2011, pp. 239–243)
(Tatham, 2006, chap. 8)
ACADEMIC LEGAL SKILLS
-
√
Content outline of the course / module and the SLT per topic
Weeks
07
2.3 Avoiding Plagiarism in
Academic Writing
4&5
6&7
(Fafinski, 2011, chap. 5, 7, 11)
3. READING STATUTE
3.1 What is a statute?
3.2 Structure of Statutes
 Citation
 Parts
 Section
 Sub-section
 Paragraphs
 Short title
 Long title
 Preamble
 Marginal notes
 Schedules
8
4. READING A LAW
REPORT
8
Contracts Act 1950
Malaysian Penal Code
Civil Law Act 1956
(Williams, 2002, pp. 122–127)
(Fafinski, 2011, pp. 65–76)
4.1 What is a law report?
Structure of a law report
Case citation
Title of the case
Meor Atiqulrahman v. Fatimah Sihi [2006]
4 CLJ 1
Donoghue v. Stevenson [1932] UKHL 100
Fisher v. Bell [1961] 1 QB 394
4.2 Reading a case
4.2.1 Reading,
skimming,
scanning and noting
on: paragraphs,
languages, legal terms
and legal sources
4.3 Identifying:-
(Fafinski, 2011, chap. 6)
(Williams, 2002, chap. 6)
(Yaqin, 2007, pp. 107–109)
http://www.mcgeorge.edu/documents/acad
emic_support/Legal_Skills-Week2.pdf
http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/research/brief
.html
4.3.1 Facts of the case
4.3.2 Legal issues
4.3.3 Counsels’ arguments
4.3.4 Ratio decidendi
4.3.5 Obiter dicta
4.3.6 Judgment
4.4 Writing a case brief
MID-SEMESTER BREAK
5
8
5. EXAMINATION SKILLS
4
5.1 Methods in answering
examination questions:5.1.1 Multiple Choice
5.1.2 Short Answer
5.1.3 Problem Solving
5.1.4 Essay
9 & 10
(Williams, 2002, chap. 10)
(Fafinski, 2011, chap. 14 and 15)
6.LEGAL LETTER
WRITING SKILLS
8
6.1 What is a ‘legal letter’?
6.2 Format of a legal letter:6.2.1 Using proper
language
6.2.2 E-mail as a new method
of communication
6.3 Writing Legal Letters
6.3.1 Letter of Demand
6.3.2 Letter to Request for
Information
11, 12,
13 &
14
(Tepper, 1995, chap. 7)
7. PRACTICAL SKILLS
16
Argumentation
Speaking in Public
Moots
Mock Trial
(Skinner, 2004, chap. 1, 4, 16 and 17)
(Chapman, 2000, chap. 1 – 5)
(Williams, 2002, chap. 11)
END OF SEMESTER EXAMINATION
6
Required references supporting the course
Chapman, J. (2000). Interviewing and Counselling (2nd ed.). London: Cavendish Publishing Ltd.
Fafinski, E. F. and S. (2011). Legal Skills. (3, Ed.) (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Skinner, G. L. G. and J. F. (2004). Mastering Public Speaking (5th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.
Tatham, E. H. and L. (2006). Successful Legal Writing (1st ed.). London: Sweet & Maxwell.
Tepper, P. R. (1995). Legal Writing Skills (1st ed.). Glencoe Publishing Co.
Williams, G. (2002). Learning the Law (12th ed.). London: Sweet & Maxwell.
Yaqin, A. (2007). Legal Research and Writing (1st ed.). Malaysia: LexisNexis.
Recommended references supporting the course
Chapman, J. (2000). Interviewing and Counselling (2nd ed.). London: Cavendish Publishing Ltd.
Tatham, E. H. and L. (2006). Successful Legal Writing (1st ed.). London: Sweet & Maxwell.
Tepper, P. R. (1995). Legal Writing Skills (1st ed.). Glencoe Publishing Co.
http://www.mcgeorge.edu/documents/academic_support/Legal_Skills-Week2.pdf
http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/research/brief.html
Prepared by:
Checked by:
Approved by:
DR. AKMAL HIDAYAH
HALIM
AIKOL
RIZQ FAIRUZ MOHD. RAMLI
HEAD
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
CFS, IIUM
ASSOC. PROF. DATO’ DR. SYED
ZAHIR IDID
DEAN
CFS, IIUM
7
At the end of the programme, students are able to:
Keyword
3.
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of law, legal history, legal systems, legal institutions and their
functions.
Identify legal issues and problems and apply relevant laws to the particular problems and suggest appropriate
actions.
Include Islamic concepts and legal principles when offering advice on a legal problem.
4.
Conduct interviews, educational visits, exhibitions and group discussions.
5.
Seek information and conduct relevant basic research by using various available methods, including use of
technology.
6.
7.
Communicate with relevant personnel and colleagues effectively with mutual respect.
1.
2.
Work independently and adhere to the ethics and etiquette of the profession.
8
Knowledge
Critical Thinking and
Problem Solving
Social skills and
Responsibilities
Practical and Team Work
Skills
Information Management
and Lifelong Learning
Skills
Communication Skills
Value, Attitudes and
Professionalism