scl1501-tutorial-letters.

Tutorial letter 101/3/2019 SKILLS FOR LAW STUDENTS SCL1501 Semesters 1 and 2 IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This tutorial letter contains important information about your module. Downloaded by Kishal Singh () lOMoARcPSD| 2 CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION . ........................................................................................................... 4 2 PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE ............................................... 4 2.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Outcomes ............................................................................................................... 5 3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS................................................................... 5 3.1 Lecturer(s) ................................................................................................................. 5 3.2 University............................................................................................... 6 4 MODULE-RELATED RESOURCES ............................................................................. 6 4.1 Prescribed books ......................................................................................... 6 4.2 Recommended books ............................................................................................ 7 4.3 Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves) ........................................................................ 7 5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MODULE ............................................. 7 5.1 Discussion classes ................................................................................................ 7 5.2 Tutorial classes ..................................................................................................... 7 5.3 myUnisa ................................................................................................................ 7 5.4 Podcasts and other media ..................................................................................... 8 6 MODULE-SPECIFIC STUDY PLAN ................................................................................... 8 7 MODULE PRACTICAL WORK AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING ................... 8 8 ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................. 8 8.1 Assessment plan ................................................................................................... 8 8.2 General assignment numbers ................................................................................ 9 8.2.1 Unique assignment numbers ..................................................................... 9 8.2.2 Due dates for assignments ........................................................................ 9 8.3 Submission of assignments .................................................................................... 9 8.4 Assignments ......................................................................................................... 10 8.4.1 Assignments for the first semester ......................................................... 13 8.4.2 Assignments for the second semester ............................................. 49 9 OTHER ASSESSMENT METHODS ........................................................................... 86 10 EXAMINATION............................................................................................................. 86 10.1 Examination period ............................................................................................... 86 10.2 Examination paper ........................................................................................ 86 10.2.1 Blank pages ............................................................................................ 86 10.2.2 Scope of the examination ........................................................................ 86 10.3 General guidelines for answering examination questions ................................... 87 10.4 Previous examination papers............................................................................... 87 11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .........................................................................................87 Downloaded by Kishal Singh () lOMoARcPSD| SCL1501/101 3 12 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................. 88 13 ADDENDUM A: P LAGIARISM.................................................................................. 89 14 ADDENDUM B : ACADEMIC HONESTY DECLARATION ..................................... 91 Downloaded by Kishal Singh () lOMoARcPSD| 4 1 INTRODUCTION Dear Student We are truly excited to welcome you to the module Skills Course for Law Students (SCL1501) offered in the Department of Jurisprudence. We are confident that you will find it both interesting and helpful. Our approach to this module recognizes the importance of blending theory and practice. We will therefore make it as practical as possible so that you can learn and develop the legal skills that are so crucial to a student of law. However, not all this will be possible if you are not prepared to do the activities that we give you in the various study units in your study material. Above all, you should not be satisfied with merely absorbing the content of the study material. You will realise, as you go through your study material that we encourage you to engage the material so that you can be able to apply whatever skill is taught with confidence! 2 PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE 2.1 Purpose This module is one of the foundational modules for the law degree (LLB) and other law-related diplomas. We wish to inform you that in the recent past, the legal profession made a startling discovery that most newly qualified law graduates lacked the necessary skills for legal practice. This module introduces certain practical legal skills to beginner students in law, through the integration of theoretical knowledge with skills or application of that knowledge. The module will, therefore, teach you HOW to approach your legal studies, and prepare you for the legal career. We are confident that it will serve as an excellent platform and a springboard for your future as a legal practitioner or a lawyer! We need to mention, though, that this will only be possible if you are prepared to work hard, interrogate the tutorial content and do the activities that follow every section or sub-section of your study guide. Since this module is meant to help you develop legal skills, it is extremely important that you DO what is asked. As already hinted, it is not at all helpful for you to know the content if you cannot apply it when you are required to in an authentic practical situation. Indeed that will be a total waste of time, energy and resources! We will therefore “force” you to do certain tasks, which will, in the end, benefit you immensely. An example of such “forced tasks” is in the form of activities 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 in Study Unit 3 (Reading Legal Texts) of your Only Study Guide for SCL1501. You will realize that In order to do such activities, you first have to find the various legal texts referred to in that study unit. We may as well immediately advise that you try to find those legal texts right away so that you do not have to hassle when you start working on that study unit. In fact, the said legal texts provide valuable material for you to make sense of the contents of Study Unit 3 (Reading Legal Texts). At the same time, we are satisfied that this task will enable you acquire the skill of finding legal sources, which is a key aspect of research. Downloaded by Kishal Singh () lOMoARcPSD| SCL1501/101 5 2.2 Outcomes After successful completion of the module, you will be able to:  Demonstrate an appreciation for blending theory and practice (reflection and action)  Define the term “law”, explain its functions and how various skills apply to it  Understand key educational concepts and demonstrate effective study skills  Demonstrate basic knowledge and applicable legal skills ( reading legal texts, legal communication skills, basic litigation and oral advocacy skills, and numeric skills)  Demonstrate knowledge of the various legal actors and their roles  Apply the legal skills to other courses in the area of law  Make sense of the various aspects that relate to the daily challenges in the practice of law. 3 LECTURERS AND CONTACT DETAILS 3.1 Lecturers Your lecturers in this module are: Mr FM Mahlobogwane (Module Leader) Brooklyn House, Office 2-29, Veale Street Brooklyn Email: Tel: Mr KB Morota Brooklyn House, Office 2-42, Veale Street, Brooklyn Email: Tel: David Letsoalo Brooklyn House, Office 2-30, Veale Street Brooklyn Email: Tel: 012 433 9492 All written enquiries that are not of a purely administrative nature, but are about the contents of this module, should be directed to: The Module Leader (SCL1501) Department of Jurisprudence PO Box 392 Unisa 0003 Downloaded by Kishal Singh () lOMoARcPSD| 6 Letters to lecturers may not be included in your assignment submission. 3.2 University When you have to contact the University about matters not related to the content of this module, please consult the brochure Study@Unisa which you received with your study material. Always have your student number at hand when you call the University. 4 MODULE-RELATED RESOURCES 4.1 Prescribed books There are no prescribed books for this module. This means that you do not need to purchase any additional books. The study material for the module SCL1501 comprises the following:  The Study Guide: Skills Course for Law Students (Only Study Guide for SCL1501) There is ONE study guide for this module. You have to go through the study guide very carefully, and ensure that you do not only know the content, but are also able to apply the knowledge to relevant practical situations.  Tutorial Letters: Apart from Tutorial Letter 101 (this tutorial letter), you will receive other tutorial letters for this module (e.g. 102, 103, 201). Tutorial letters are also considered your official study material for this module. They are part of your study material for assignments and examination purposes. Please study them carefully and keep them safe for reference purposes. You will receive an inventory letter containing information about your tutorial matter. Also, see the brochure Study@Unisa. Check the study material you received against the inventory letter. You should have received all the items specified in the inventory, unless there is a statement like “out of stock” or “not available”. If any item is missing, follow the instructions on the back of the inventory letter without delay. Students who have access to the Internet can view/download the study material and tutorial letters for the modules for which they registered on the University’s online