ILW1501/101/3/2022

Tutorial Letter 101/3/2022

Introduction to Law
ILW1501

Semester 1 and 2

Department of Jurisprudence

This tutorial letter contains important information about your module.

BARCODE
 CONTENTS

Page

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4
2 WELCOME TO THE MODULE INTRODUCTION TO LAW (ILW1501) ........................................ 5
3 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES ...................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 5
3.2 Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 5
4 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION ........................................................................................... 6
5 CONTACTING THE UNIVERSITY VIA EMAIL ............................................................................. 6
6 LECTURERS AND CONTACT DETAILS ..................................................................................... 7
6.1 Lecturers....................................................................................................................................... 7
6.2 Department ................................................................................................................................... 7
6.3 College of Law Information Centre ................................................................................................ 7
6.4 University ...................................................................................................................................... 7
7 RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................... 8
7.1 Prescribed book(s) ........................................................................................................................ 8
7.2 Recommended book(s) ................................................................................................................. 9
7.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ................................................................................................... 9
7.4 Library services and resources information ................................................................................... 9
8 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................ 9
8.1 Module-specific support initiatives................................................................................................. 9
8.2 First-Year Experience Programme @ Unisa ............................................................................... 10
8.3 Companies falsely advertising Unisa services............................................................................. 10
9 STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................................................. 10
10 PRACTICAL WORK ................................................................................................................... 11
11 ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................................................... 11
11.1 Assessment criteria..................................................................................................................... 11
11.2 Assessment plan ........................................................................................................................ 11
11.3 Unique numbers ......................................................................................................................... 11
11.4 Assignment due dates ................................................................................................................ 11
11.5 Submission of assignments ........................................................................................................ 11
11.6 Other assessment methods ........................................................................................................ 11
11.7 The examination ......................................................................................................................... 12

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12 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY ........................................................................................................ 12

12.1 Plagiarism ................................................................................................................................... 12
12.2 Cheating ..................................................................................................................................... 12
12.3 More information about plagiarism can be downloaded on the link below ................................... 12
13 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES .............................................................................................. 12
14 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ........................................................................................ 12
15 IN CLOSING ............................................................................................................................... 13

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Dear Student

1 INTRODUCTION

Unisa is a comprehensive ODeL higher education institution. The comprehensiveness of our

curricula encapsulates a range of offerings, from strictly vocational to strictly academic
certificates, diplomas and degrees. Unisa's "openness" and its distance eLearning style results in
many students registering at Unisa who may not have had an opportunity to enrol in higher
education. Our ODeL style implies that our programmes are carefully planned and structured to
develop students academically, ranging from the under-prepared but with potential to the
sufficiently prepared.

Teaching and learning in an ODeL context involve multiple modes of delivery ranging from
blended learning to fully online. As a default position, all post graduate programmes are offered
fully online with no printed study materials, while undergraduate programmes are offered in a
blended mode of delivery where printed study materials are augmented with online teaching and
learning via the learner management system – myUnisa. In some instances, undergraduate
programmes are offered fully online as well.

Furthermore, our programmes are aligned with the vision, mission and values of the University.
Amongst Unisa's commitment to serve humanity and shape futures combined with a clear
appreciation of our location on the African continent, Unisa's graduates have distinctive graduate
qualities which include

• independent, resilient, responsible and caring citizens who are able to fulfil and serve in
multiple roles in their immediate and future local, national and global communities
• having a critical understanding of their location on the African continent with its histories,
challenges and potential in relation to globally diverse contexts
• the ability to critically analyse and evaluate the credibility and usefulness of information
and data from multiple sources in a globalised world with its ever-increasing information
and data flows and competing worldviews
• how to apply their discipline-specific knowledge competently, ethically and creatively to
solve real-life problems
• an awareness of their own learning and developmental needs and future potential

Whether a module is offered either as blended (meaning that we use a combination of printed
and online material to engage with you) or online (all information is available via the internet), we
use myUnisa as our virtual campus. This is an online system that is used to administer, document
and deliver educational material to you and support engagement with you. Look out for
information from your lecturer as well as other Unisa platforms to determine how to access the
virtual myUnisa module site. Information on the tools that will be available to engage with the
lecturer and fellow students to support your learning will also be communicated via various
platforms.

You are encouraged to log into the module site on myUnisa regularly (that is, at least two to
three times per week).

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2 WELCOME TO THE MODULE INTRODUCTION TO LAW (ILW1501)

Welcome to the module ILW1501! We trust that you will enjoy the module.

There are three very important aspects regarding the module Introduction to Law
(ILW1501) that you need to take note of from the very beginning:

● Tuition and delivery of study material in this module are blended

We follow a blended approach in the tuition and delivery of the study material for ILW1501,
meaning that we use a combination of printed and online material on the learner management
system, myUnisa to engage with you.

Before you get started in this module, look out for the step-by-step guidelines on how to
approach the module ILW1501 on the module site and read these guidelines very carefully.

● All assessments for ILW1501 are in the in form of online multiple-choice

questions (MCQs)

The formative assessment (assignments) and summative assessment (examination) of the

module will be in the form of online multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Please visit the module
site on myUnisa for step-by-step guidelines on the understanding and answering of MCQs.
You must study these guidelines.

● Familiarise yourself with myUnisa and the ILW1501 module site

Browse the Unisa website for crucially important information and familiarise yourself with the
homepage or landing page of myUnisa and the module site for ILW1501. You will find all the
information that you need to start with the module ILW1501 here. We are very active on the
ILW1501 module site. As stated in section 1, you must log into the ILW1501 module site on
myUnisa at least two to three times per week.

Important note: You must first register before you can log into the learner management system,
myUnisa, Unisa’s online campus.

3 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES

3.1 Purpose

The purpose of this module is for students to gain basic knowledge, insight and skills for the
analysis and solution of elementary problems relating to some of the underlying principles of
South African law in general and to provide students with a basic knowledge of the nature, role
and implications of transformative constitutionalism within South African law. Students accredited
with this module can distinguish basic legal concepts and correctly identify and apply suitable
legal rules and principles to basic legal problems.

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3.2 Outcomes

In the module ILW1501 students should be able to:

• Analyse basic legal concepts and underlying principles of the South African Law in general.

• Formulate legal arguments and apply knowledge to practical South African legal problems.

4 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Unisa has implemented a transformation charter based on five pillars and eight dimensions. In
response to this charter, we have placed curriculum transformation high on the teaching and
learning agenda. Curriculum transformation includes the following pillars: student-centred
scholarship, the pedagogical renewal of teaching and assessment practices, the scholarship of
teaching and learning, and the infusion of African epistemologies and philosophies. These pillars
and their principles will be integrated at both programme and module levels as a phased-in
approach. You will notice a marked change in the teaching and learning strategy implemented by
Unisa, together with how the content is conceptualised in your modules. We encourage you to
embrace these changes during your studies at Unisa in a responsive way within the framework
of transformation.

5 CONTACTING THE UNIVERSITY VIA EMAIL

To assist Unisa to safeguard your personal information, please ensure that you only use your
myLife email account when communicating with the University. We will not be responding to
any emails sent from private email addresses.
By using your myLife email account, the University has a reasonable assurance that we are
communicating with you, as your email address contains your student number and you use your
login credentials to access the account.
Unisa may only communicate with a student using a private email address under the following
circumstances:

• New applicants who are enquiring about information for the purpose of applying for
admission.
• New applicants who do not yet have a myLife email account, because they have been
admitted but not yet registered.
• Where a student requires assistance in resolving myLife email account access
problems.

Please be aware that any personal information you publish on public platforms, such as social
media platforms and WhatsApp groups, is not covered by the provisions of the Protection of
Personal Information Act 4 of 2013. Any personal information published in the public domain is
not considered private and can therefore be accessed by external parties with access to such
platforms.

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6 LECTURERS AND CONTACT DETAILS

6.1 Lecturers

The following lecturers are responsible for the module ILW1501:

Mrs A Jacobs
Tel: (012) 433 9514
Student cell: 083 462 1349
Email: jacoba@unisa.ac.za
Prof S Mahomed
Tel: (012) 433 9507
Email: mahoms1@unisa.ac.za
6.2 Department

The contact details for the Department of Jurisprudence are:

Tel: (012) 433 9480
Email: mkhomme1@unisa.ac.za
OR:
Tel: (012) 433 9479
Email: madihmp@unisa.ac.za
6.3 College of Law Information Centre

For college-specific queries, please email lawdeanery@unisa.ac.za or

CLAWinquiries@unisa.ac.za. The college can also be contacted by phoning 012 429
4718/4860/6166/3253/4428.
Please send all emails from your myLife email account. If you send an email directly to a
Unisa email address, insert your student number in the subject line to effect the correct
routing to an advisor for processing.
6.4 University

To contact the University, please dial 080 000 1870. Remember to keep your student number on
hand when contacting the University. The Unisa Student Communication Service Centre will be
open on weekdays from 08:00 – 16:00 (South African Standard Time).

Please check the list below carefully and send an enquiry from your myLife email account
to one email address only. This will ensure that there is no confusion as to who must respond,
thereby preventing unnecessary delays in the response or resulting in the email being portrayed
as spam. Students should only forward enquiries to the Registrar and Deputy Registrar in
instances where those enquiries could not be resolved at other levels.

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 TYPE OF QUERY EMAIL ADDRESS TELEPHONE NUMBER
ICT
myUnisa myUnisaHelp@unisa.ac.za 012 429 3111 (Option 2)
myLife myLifeHelp@unisa.ac.za 012 429 3111 (Option 2)
STUDENT ADMISSIONS AND REGISTRATIONS
General applications and registration
study-info@unisa.ac.za
queries
College of Law jus@unisa.ac.za
International students international@unisa.ac.za
Exemptions adhoccredits@unisa.ac.za
Access and matriculation exemption ame@unisa.ac.za
Re-admissions study-info@unisa.ac.za
STUDENT ASSESSMENT ADMINISTRATION
General assignment enquiries assign@unisa.ac.za
General exam queries exams@unisa.ac.za 012 429 8641
Aegrotat exams aegrotats@unisa.ac.za 012 429 8641
Exam arrangements for students with examdisabled@unisa.ac.za
012 429 8641
disabilities
Exam admission examadmission@unisa.ac.za 012 429 8641
International students examinternational@unisa.ac.za + 27 12 429 2268
Remarks remark@unisa.ac.za 012 429 8641
Purchase of an exam script purchasescript@unisa.ac.za 012 429 8641
FINANCE
Student account enquiries finan@unisa.ac.za 012 429 2441/4299
STUDENT FUNDING
General student funding enquiries letsomp@unisa.ac.za 012 441 5600
STUDY MATERIAL
Despatch enquiries despatch@unisa.ac.za

7 RESOURCES
7.1 Prescribed book(s)

There is no prescribed textbook for ILW1501. This means that you do not have to buy any
additional academic textbooks for ILW1501. You only need to study the “Only Study Guide for
ILW1501” and the additional study material provided on the module site on myUnisa.

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7.2 Recommended book(s)

There are no recommended books for this module.

7.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)

There is no prescribed additional reading or e-reserves for this module.

7.4 Library services and resources information

The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources:

• For brief information, go to https://www.unisa.ac.za/library/libatglance

• For more detailed Library information, go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library
• For research support and services (eg Personal Librarians and literature search
services), go to http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-
services/Research-support

The Library has created numerous Library guides: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za

Recommended guides:

• Request and find library material/download recommended material:

http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request
• Postgraduate information services: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/postgrad
• Finding and using library resources and tools:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_skills
• Frequently asked questions about the library:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask
• Services to students living with disabilities:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/disability

Important contact information:

• Ask a Librarian: https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask

• Technical problems accessing library online services: Lib-help@unisa.ac.za
• General library related queries: Library-enquiries@unisa.ac.za
• For queries related to library fines and payments: Library-fines@unisa.ac.za

8 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

8.1 Module-specific support initiatives

All information relating to module-specific support initiatives will be made available to you via
myUnisa on the module site.

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8.2 First-Year Experience Programme @ Unisa

For many students, the transition from school education to tertiary education is beset with anxiety.
This is also true for first-time students to Unisa. Unisa is a dedicated open distance and e-learning
institution. Unlike face-to-face/contact institutions, Unisa is somewhat different. It is a mega
university, and all our programmes are offered through a blended learning mode or fully online
learning mode. It is for this reason that we thought it necessary to offer first-time students
additional/extended support so that you can seamlessly navigate the Unisa teaching and learning
journey with little difficulty and few barriers. In this regard we offer a specialised student support
programme to students entering Unisa for the first time. We refer to this programme as Unisa’s
First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme. The FYE is designed to provide you with prompt and
helpful information about services that the institution offers and how you can access information.
The following FYE programmes are currently offered:

• FYE website: All the guides and resources you need to navigate through your first year at
Unisa can be accessed using the following link: www.unisa.ac.za/FYE

• FYE emails: You will receive regular emails to help you stay focused and motivated.

• FYE broadcasts: You will receive emails with links to broadcasts on various topics related
to your first-year studies (eg videos on how to submit assignments online).

• FYE mailbox: For assistance with queries related to your first year of study, send an email
to fye@unisa.ac.za

8.3 Companies falsely advertising Unisa services

Some companies and social media pages have been falsely advertising Unisa online information
and various services to assist Unisa students. In the process, companies either solicit money
fraudulently from students or make money through online advertising with no benefit to students.
These companies are in no way associated or related to Unisa.
We request that students only use official Unisa sites and platforms as any other platforms will
provide you with incorrect information and/or act illegally which will be harmful to your studies.
Unisa will always use official communication channels (eg Unisa website, myUnisa, Unisa social
media platforms, myLife email) to communicate with students.
Please use the following Unisa platforms for official Unisa information:

• www.unisa.ac.za
• https://my.unisa.ac.za
• https://www.facebook.com/UniversityOfSouthAfrica
• https://twitter.com/unisa
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/unisa

9 STUDY PLAN

You must log into the module site of ILW1501 on myUnisa for the module’s study plan.

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10 PRACTICAL WORK
There is no practical work for this module.

11 ASSESSMENT
11.1 Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for the module ILW1501 are reflected in the learning outcomes that
appear in the beginning of each learning unit of the “Only Study Guide for ILW1501”. Make sure
that you master these learning outcomes for assessment purposes.

11.2 Assessment plan

You must log into the module site on myUnisa in order to access the following:

• the due dates for assignments

• the actual assignments that must be completed

• how to submit your assignments

• the weighting of the different assessments

• admission to the exam

• the examination

11.3 Unique numbers

Assignments are no longer given unique numbers.

11.4 Assignment due dates

• There are no assignment due dates included in this tutorial letter.

• Assignment due dates will be made available to you on the landing page of myUnisa for
this module. We envisage that the due dates will be available to you upon registration.

• Log on to the myUnisa site for this module to obtain more information on the due dates for
the submission of the assignments.

11.5 Submission of assignments

All information on when and where to submit your assignments will be made available to you via
the myUnisa site for your module.

11.6 Other assessment methods

There are no other assessment methods for this module.

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11.7 The examination

Examination information and details on the format of the examination will be made available to
you online via the myUnisa site. Look out for information that will be shared with you by your
lecturer and e-tutors (where relevant) and for communication from the University.

12 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
12.1 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting them as
your own. It is a form of theft which involves several dishonest academic activities, such as the
following:

• Cutting and pasting from any source without acknowledging the source.
• Not including or using incorrect references.
• Paraphrasing without acknowledging the original source of the information.
12.2 Cheating
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Completing assessments on behalf of another student, copying from another student

during an assessment or allowing a student to copy from you.
• Using social media (eg WhatsApp, Telegram) or other platforms to disseminate
assessment information.
• Submitting corrupt or irrelevant files.
• Buying completed answers from “tutors” or internet sites (contract cheating).
12.3 More information about plagiarism can be downloaded on the link below
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-rules

13 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) provides an
opportunity for staff to interact with new and returning students with disabilities.
If you are a student with a disability and would like additional support or need additional time for
assessments, you are invited to contact the University by sending an email to
examdisabled@unisa.ac.za, so that you can be assisted. In your email include the name of the
module(s) that you are currently registered for.
For content-related queries, please send an email to Mrs A Jacobs (jacoba@unisa.ac.za).

14 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Before contacting your lecturers, please browse the myUnisa site, consult the brochure
STUDY@UNISA (which contains the most relevant study information) on the landing page of
myUnisa and regularly visit the module site on myUnisa.

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Many of your questions about the module, the study material for the module, e-tutors (where
relevant), assignments, the examination and examination administration will be answered by
visiting myUnisa and the module site.

15 IN CLOSING
We trust that you will find the module both interesting and rewarding. Please remember that you
are welcome to contact any of the lecturers should you have any questions relating to the content
of this module. We wish you success with your studies.

Kind regards

MRS A JACOBS

PROF S MAHOMED

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