CASE STUDIES OF PRACTICE: LAW
Title of Practice: Work Experience Option (30% of 30 credit module – level 1)
Contact: Dr Sue Prince (S.J.Prince@exeter.ac.uk) Director for Student Development, Law
Published: March 2008
Reason for selection: An example of how employability objectives, work experience and planning for personal
development can be integrated into the traditional curriculum. Students are expected to be pro-active in finding
work and taking responsibility for their progress at a very early stage of their degree, and relating their
experience to aspects of the law. The assessment is designed to reinforce awareness of skill development,
through a formal oral presentation with an emphasis on critical reflection and learning from experience.
GENERAL BACKGROUND
1. School
LAW
5. Web reference:
2. Subject
LAW
3. Module Title (if applicable)
INTRODUCTION TO LAW
4. Module Code
LAW1012
http://www.law.ex.ac.uk/undergraduate/law1012.shtml
6. Level
Year 1
7. Duration
2 semesters
8. Date/s of Practice/Project
Annually
9. Lead person
DR SUE PRINCE
10. Others involved
Staff in Education Enhancement
ABOUT THE PRACTICE/PROJECT
11. Type of activity
eg. Single session,
project, module,
other
Workshops on active learning and presentation skills and independent student work
in obtaining and undertaking work experience
12. Focus for
activity
Focus is on personal development, reflection, careers and employability, presentation
skills. Students can choose either this option or an option in advocacy which requires
the same foci and learning outcomes.
eg. Active Learning
Independent learning
Students as researchers
Key skills
Other (describe)
13. Size of student
group
eg. 1-10/ 10-20/ etc.
In 2006 / 07 there were 80 students taking this option. Workshop groups are normally
20 – 30 students. Assessment groups are no more than 5 students per group.
14. Full description
of practice (ie what
happens?)
The Introduction to Law module aims to provide students with a broad and critical
understanding of the structure and functions of the legal system. It also aims to
provide insight into the legal profession and practice of law as well as developing a
student’s own awareness of their goals and development objectives at an early stage
in the degree programme. The module is divided into 3 parts: lectures and
interactive workshops (assessed by examination 50%); a community group project
(20%) and a choice from 2 practical options: work experience or advocacy (30%).
Work Experience: Students must organise their own 35 hours of work experience.
This does not need to be in a law firm or in a law-related field but the student must
relate their experience to either the study or practice of law when giving their oral
presentation and in their written reflective assessment. The quality of the experience
is what is important rather than the quality of the firm, type of work etc. Students
have worked in CAB, international law firms, local law firms, restaurants, funeral
directors, as surf instructors, etc. There are two workshops during Term 2 which are
based upon the development of active learning and personal development planning.
There is also a ‘work experience pack’ which accompanies the option and contains
information on reflective planning, activities, assessment criteria and forms for
employers to give feedback, etc.
15. What was the
rationale for
To enable students to develop their ability to reflect upon their own development
whilst they are at University at the beginning of their degree (Level 1); to enable them
introducing the
practice?
to think about law from a professional, work-based perspective; to think about how to
answer questions on application forms; to think about how to use work experience in
a pro-active manner. To enable students to develop and practice formal presentation
skills. To enable students to undertake a formal work experience at an early point in
their degree studies.
16.
Resources/support
required (technical
assistance,
specialised
equipment etc)
Up-to-date and relevant information on what employers want; why work experience is
important; the importance of reflection for students academically and for their own
employability.
ASSESSMENT
17a. Assessment Formative
Short exercises during workshops; organising work experience.
17b. Assessment Summative
Assessment is via a 7- minute formal oral presentation ‘What I learned during my
work experience’. There are also formal questions at the end of the presentation.
Students have to hand in a short piece of written work (1,500 words) reflecting upon
their whole experience (including the presentation). The written work can only
increase their marks (50% for oral presentation and 50% for written work) should it
show greater reflection than the student was able to deliver in the presentation.
17c. Assessment
criteria (Web link if
available)
The presentation is assessed on analysis and critical reflection on learning and skill
development, evidence of thorough planning and preparation, and on visual aids.
Presentation delivery is assessed on manner of delivery, engagement with the
audience, and responses to questions.
http://www.law.ex.ac.uk/undergraduate/documents/AssessmentCriteriaWorkExppres
entations.doc
FEEDBACK (2005/06)
Feedback –
Student comments
"I really enjoyed the practical element of this module and I believe that it helped me to
vastly improve my key skills."
"I also found the integration of PDP into the module frustrating as it was not
particularly academically stimulating and I don't feel that benefited particularly from
it."
"However I found that I enjoyed the work experience option that we were required to
take as a part of the module. It increased my confidence in the workplace as well as
forcing me to improve my public speaking skills."
"The work placement... option I found highly beneficial as the practical experience
was essential."
"I enjoyed the work experience aspect however and also how the module was
assessed. It was different to normal modules and this made it more interesting as
there were different things to be getting on with."