Report on Discrimination Faced by Social Groups in the UK Legal System

Unit learning outcomes
1.  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the subjects and issues to do with the UK legal system with particular relevance to different types of law

2.  Employ social studies skills and abilities in report structuring and writing together with research understanding and application

What am I required to do in this assignment?

You are expected to choose a social group (such as the elderly, young people, asylum seekers, women, disabled children etc.) and identify an area of discrimination faced by your chosen group. You will then need to research the relevant legislation, which covers this area of discrimination as well as case law, evidencing how these laws are applied in practice. For example, young Black men are a social group, and an area of discrimination they face could be ‘stop and search’. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is a relevant legislation and the case of R (on the application of Roberts) (Appellant) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and another (Respondents) [2015] UKSC 79 is an example of case law. 

This is a report, which must be written following the academic conventions of writing a report as follows:
    Title Section  
    Abstract 
    Introduction and background – Here, you will identify your social group, and the area of discrimination they are facing. You will need to be clear about what the issue is, and support this with evidence, and giving definitions of terms and providing a background of the issue. 
    Body – This will be in two sections. The first section will cover legislation and the second section will cover case law. You will need to identify a number of relevant legislation and case law (at least one of each) and discuss them, clearly linking them to your social group and the area of discrimination.
    Conclusion – This is where you will bring it all together. You will need to summarize what you have said about the social group and the discrimination you have found that they face, and discuss how this is influenced by both the legislation and the interpretation of law by the courts.

You are expected to choose a social group (such as the elderly, young people, asylum seekers, women, disabled children etc.) and identify an area of discrimination faced by your chosen group. You will then need to research the relevant legislation, which covers this area of discrimination as well as case law, evidencing how these laws are applied in practice. For example, young Black men are a social group, and an area of discrimination they face could be ‘stop and search’. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is a relevant legislation and the case of R (on the application of Roberts) (Appellant) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and another (Respondents) [2015] UKSC 79 is an example of case law. 

Assignment Requirements

This is a report, which must be written following the academic conventions of writing a report as follows:
    Title Section  
    Abstract 
    Introduction and background – Here, you will identify your social group, and the area of discrimination they are facing. You will need to be clear about what the issue is, and support this with evidence, and giving definitions of terms and providing a background of the issue. 
    Body – This will be in two sections. The first section will cover legislation and the second section will cover case law. You will need to identify a number of relevant legislation and case law (at least one of each) and discuss them, clearly linking them to your social group and the area of discrimination.
    Conclusion – This is where you will bring it all together. You will need to summarize what you have said about the social group and the discrimination you have found that they face, and discuss how this is influenced by both the legislation and the interpretation of law by the courts.

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

    Show an understanding of the conventions of report formatting in preparing your own report.
    Research controversy and the law, with regards to an area of discrimination in society, in developing content for the report
    Focus the content of the report in line with the requirements of the assignment brief and submit the coursework on time
How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

You are expected to follow the conventions of report formatting in structuring the assignment. 
Your introduction must be clear and precise, showing a very good understanding of the social group as well as the area of discrimination you have selected. The information you present should be factual and correctly evidenced.

The legislation(s) you identify should be relevant to the area of discrimination e.g. ‘gender pay gap and Equality Act 2010. The case precedent must be correctly cited and discussed. This must NOT be from newspaper articles or websites. 

Your discussion should clearly show how the law is being interpreted in practice and the effect that this has on the social group you have identified. 

How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

The lectures will cover key topics such as how the law is made as well as legal processes. There will also be a focus on a number of contemporary social issues tailored to help you develop knowledge and understanding of the law and how it impacts on society and orders social life. The seminars will also be used to challenge discussion and collaboration between students on the issues identified in the lectures as well as provide support in exploring relevant social issues and areas of discrimination for the assignment. There will also be tailored sessions to help with the skills required for report writing.