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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Doctor of Law (DLaw) Thesis
Reference LLD001 Version 1
Created February 2023 SCQF Level SCQF 12
Approved July 2023 SCQF Points 420
Amended ECTS Points 210

Aims of Module
To enable students to plan, design and execute applied legal and/or interdisciplinary research at an advanced level, contributing substantially to the development of ideas, approaches, techniques and legal solutions by applying their subject and practical/professional knowledge and skills and their knowledge of research methods to an independent investigation of a work-based or practice-related subject within the field of law and cognate subjects.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Generate an approved research project on a practical/work-based issue or problem in a chosen subject area through an extensive review of laws, theories, concepts, practices and other relevant academic and professional materials.
2 Synthesise a range of legal and/ scientific research skills and methods to gather, analyse and critically evaluate relevant laws, literature, theories, data and evidence as appropriate to the agreed research topic in the relevant field.
3 Critically evaluate findings and conclusions in a piece of independent research that contributes to and advances the body of knowledge in their chosen specialist area.
4 Produce, at an advanced level, written and oral communication skills required to appropriately address relevant legal and interdisciplinary issues.
5 Take responsibility for investigating and developing creative and practical responses to problems and issues.

Indicative Module Content
A research proposal on a relevant topic, to be developed in the course of the study of GSM010, GSM011 and LLM590, will form the basis for development of the thesis. Students will work independently to undertake the research and prepare the thesis.

Module Delivery
Students are expected to take full responsibility for their own learning, and will receive guidance and support from their supervisory team, and others as appropriate.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 276 276
Non-Contact Hours 3924 3924
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 4200 4200
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Description: The assessment will consist of a thesis of 60,000 words and an oral defence of the thesis.

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
The thesis and oral defence will be assessed in accordance with Regulation A6: Research Degrees.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
Pass Pass
Fail Fail
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module Students are eligible for the doctoral level thesis if they have successfully completed the Transfer process and achieved 120 credits at SCQF level 11 or equivalent, including GSM010, GSM011 and LLM 590.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
Students taking this module must demonstrate substantial understanding of the field of research and exercise a high level of autonomy and initiative in the conduct of the research.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 Emily Finch & Stefan Fafinski, 2021. Legal Skills, 8th ed.,Oxford: Oxford University Press
2 Higgins E. and Tatham L., 2015. Successful legal writing. 3rd ed. London: Sweet and Maxwell.
3 Webley, Legal Writing, 4th Ed., Routledge, 2016
4 McConville M. and Chui W.H., 2017. Research methods for law. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781