Employment Law and Practice

The aim of this module is to enable students to develop a critical understanding of the complex roots of modern employment law, including the theories and polices which underpin employment law and practice.

This module takes you through the employment relationship from its inception to its termination. It looks at the nature of the employment relationship; contractual terms, both express and implied; key individual employment rights; termination at common law and unfair dismissal. These topics are explored in the broader social, political and economic context.

This module allows you to learn about appropriate research methodologies and formulate research questions relevant to your chosen area of study.

This module covers researching and critically reviewing national and international literature, applying theoretical frameworks, research design and ethics, data collection and analysis, research writing and dissemination.

This module will enable you to understand the role of trade unions in the workplace and collective labour rights. It examines collective bargaining, the fundamental rights of trade union members and how trade unions acquire statutory immunity from tortious liability when taking industrial action.

The module also examines the law relating to redundancy, in particular both collective and individual rights in relation to redundancies. These topics are explored in the wider social, political and economic context.

This module examines the concept of equality and discrimination, the protected characteristics and types of discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, the rights of atypical workers and ‘family friendly’ rights and the influence of EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights.

These topics are explored in the wider social, political and economic context.

This final 60-credit module bridges a Postgraduate Diploma and an LLM. It has two parts: researching a topic and producing work that draws on the research to represent an advanced account of a particular area of law associated with the programme title.

The dissertation is studied independently with the assistance of a supervisor and is a chance for the student to pursue a relevant area of law of particular interest academically. The dissertation requires you to practice a range of skills developed over the course of the programme: researching and critically reviewing national and international literature, applying theoretical frameworks, research design and ethics, data collection and analysis, research writing and dissemination.

You will be orientated towards high-level independent study based on the preparatory work conducted in research methods workshops. These workshops emphasise developing research skills that will equip the student with the expertise to undertake relevant and topical research allied to the dissertation. The core material covers:

• Critiquing academic and practitioner research from a range of published sources.
• Developing tools and techniques for writing a critical literature review.
• Methodological considerations.
• Research design.
• Research ethics.
• Evaluating and communicating research.

You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor. Individual supervisors will work closely with you on a one-to-one basis to set goals, monitor progress and provide general and specific advice on research strategy, framing questions and scholarly writing.

You will be able to develop the theoretical and practical understanding learned throughout the programme as well as independent study and research skills, critical analysis and the ability to evaluate. The nature of a sustained and in-depth study can prove a valuable resource for future employment or further study.