The dissertation is a major part of the academic component of the Online LLM Degree Programme. The purpose of a Dissertation is first, to assess how well a student can research his or her chosen topic by locating relevant material. Secondly, it allows the student to demonstrate their ability to synthesise that material, to analyse it in a critical fashion and then to utilise it to construct their own original piece of research. Thirdly, the Dissertation permits a student to demonstrate their ability to express themselves in a clear, concise and logical fashion. The way in which an argument is constructed, the way in which research material is used and the degree of analysis, as opposed to simple description, which a thesis contains are particularly important.

This module provides students with the opportunity to investigate and critically evaluate the legal issues in a subject of their choosing, related to their specialist area of study, and specifically to demonstrate:
& #x2022; an ability to integrate theories and concepts drawn from the wider legal/commercial/industry literature;
• depth and an expertise over that subject area;
• mastery of research skills in problem definition, information collection, analysis, synthesis and reasoned argument;
• individual initiative and judgement; and
• competent writing and other communication skills.

(LO1) Students who complete the module successfully will:

(LO2) Develop substantive knowledge of a law related research topic.

(LO3) Understand the methodological steps involved in the research process of doing a dissertation.

(LO4) Be able to formulate and manage an independent piece of research.

(LO5) Be able to synthesize different information sources to form coherent arguments and relate research findings to legal policy and practice.

(LO6) Be able to present a logical, critical and sustained argument in the final submission and use bibliographies, referencing, citations and quotations in the appropriate and correct manner.

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The Research Training and Proposal Submission component of the module will include the following elements:

Seminar 1: What is Research? Concept, theories and categories

Seminar 2: Choosing a project and writing a research proposal

Seminar 3: Literary search and Legal Paper reading

Seminar 4: Project Planning, Risk and Time Management

Seminar 5 and 6: Conducting and Presenting the Dissertation

For the research proposal itself, a very wide range of topics is possible, subject only to the requirement that the work should be related to law and involve the critical application of knowledge gained in the programme in a professional manner. The topic chosen must, however, be appropriate for the chosen specialisation degree title (LLM International Business Law, LLM International Finance and Banking Law or LLM Technology and Intellectual Property Law).

The proposal's final outcome takes the form of a written dissertation of around 12,000 -15,000 words, presented in a formal academic format.

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided

Teaching Method 3 - Tutorial
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided