The taught modules offered on the LLM programme vary from year to year. Please check the full list of taught modules list for details of modules running in specific academic years. We make every effort to ensure that every module will be offered, but modules are subject to change and cancellation. You are therefore advised to check this site regularly for further updates throughout the year preceding entry to the LLM programme.
JUDGES, COURTS AND JUDICIAL DECISION-MAKING (LAWSG132A)
Credit value: 15 credits (6 ECTS) |
Module Convenor:
Professor Cheryl Thomas |
| Intercollegiate teaching: No |
| Teaching Method:
10 x two-hour seminars
This module utilises 3 main teaching methods:
(1) Seminars with Course Convenor
(2) Special Judicial Guest Seminars
(3) Hands-On Judicial Decision-Making Seminars |
| Who may enrol: SIL students, MSc in Crime and Forensic Science students |
| Prerequisites: None |
| Barred module combinations: None |
| Assessment |
| Practice Assessment: One practice essay on which students receive detailed feedback and indicative grades. |
| Assessment method for Masters students: 3,000 word essay |
| Assessment method for SIL students: 3,000 word essay |
| Module Overview |
Module summary
This is the only LLM module in judicial studies offered in the UK. This innovative module explores the crucial role judges and courts play in the modern state - and provides students with a unique opportunity to understand what it is like to be a judge, how judges make decisions, what skills they require and what pressures and controversies they face. Leading judges, policy-makers and academic experts share their firsthand knowledge with students through the course's Special Judicial Guest Seminars, and students gain firsthand experience of judicial decision-making through a series of Hands-On Judicial Decision-Making Seminars. |
Module syllabus
- Judges, Decision-Making and Democracy
- Judicial Studies: The Cutting Edge Study of Judges & Courts
- How Can We Understand How Judges Make Decisions?
- Judging in Different Courts & Jurisdictions
- Judicial Appointments: What Makes a Good Judge?
- Judicial Diversity & Democracy
- The Public as Judges: Trial by Jury (2-part topic)
- The Trappings of Judicial Power: Judicial Culture, Rites & Architecture
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Recommended materials
The Power of Judges, C. Thomas (ed) of C. Guarnieri and P. Pederzoli, OUP (2002)
The Psychology of Judicial Decision-Making, D. Klein and G. Mitchell (eds), OUP (2010)
On Law, Politics and Judicialization, M. Shapiro and A. Stone Sweet OUP (2002)
Are Juries Fair? C. Thomas, MoJ Research Series 10 (2010)
Judges and Their Audiences, L. Baum, PUP (2006)
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Preliminary reading
Two module readings that can be downloaded are:
Lawrence Baum, Judges and Their Audiences: A Perspective on Judicial Behaviour, Chapter 1, Princeton University Press (2006)
http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s8323.pdf
Cheryl Thomas, Are Juries Fair? Ministry of Justice Research Series 10 (2010)
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/are-juries-fair-research.pdf
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Other information
Teaching Approach: This module requires active participation by all students in seminars. Students are assigned a series of key questions related to the assigned readings for each seminar and must come prepared to present answers as part of the seminar discussion.
Grading Approach: A Final Essay counts for 100% of the grade. However, under the Portfolio Essay approach most of this essay is written in stages during Terms 1. This means all students will have written and received feedback from the convenor on a large part of the Final Essay by the time the Final Essay is due.
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Prizes for this module: There are currently no prizes available for this module.
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