Module overview
This module provides a critical understanding of the law on protest and civil liberties, focusing on the interplay between constitutional norms and principles and human rights law in shaping how we have come to understand the role that protest plays in assisting and securing wider commitments to civil and political rights. The module considers the challenge posed by recent legal developments and reforms which have aimed to place greater legal limits on how protest takes place and is policed. The module provides the basis for critical reflection on the debates and policy choices made.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Understand the part protest has played in the dynamic development of constitutional practice in the UK
- Understand the importance of policing powers and practice in shaping civil liberties and legitimate protest
- Critically understand the term civil liberties and its place within the wider constitutional architecture including human rights law
- Critically assess law reform in this area
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- construct arguments clearly and coherently in writing and/or orally through seminar discussion;
- assess the importance of political principles and values and the relationship between law and policy;
- Develop an appreciation of the role of historical practice and normatives principles in shaping debates and legal constraints
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Identify relevant and irrelevant materials for the purposes of constructing and analysis or critical perspective
- Express complex policy arguments orally and in writing
- Assess and weigh competing perspectives
Syllabus
1. Historical understanding of protest in shaping constitutional narratives in the UK
2. Civil Liberties as part of the archiecture of political participation
3. Human Rights law and protest
4. Limiting protest - the legal framework
5. Recent reforms and caselaw on limitations to the right of protest
6. Policing protests and police powers
7. The undercover policing inquiry
8. Case studies
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
This module is taught through lectures and tutorials. The emphasis in these classes is on reflective and critical analysis and discussion of policy, law and practice in relation to each topic covered on the syllabus. This may take the form of small group discussions, as well as structured and guided open forum discussion. Where appropriate you are required to engage in role play exercises in order to appraise existing law and policy
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 60 |
| Completion of assessment task | 30 |
| Wider reading or practice | 32 |
| Tutorial | 8 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework portfolio | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% |