COURSE OUTLINE L101

Overview
Legal & Academic Writing is a compulsory course offered in the first-year, firs-
semester of the LLB Programme. It aims to introduce students to basic
techniques for locating and understanding legal sources. It is also aimed at
equipping students with the ability to incorporate legal information into their
course work, in order for them to perform effectively in their assessments and
prepare them for their professional legal education.

Course Objectives
By taking this course, students will:
Understand where law comes from, how to find it, and how it may be
incorporated into essays and exams, and;
Understand how to use the law to determine the outcome of a dispute,
Write their legal essays with ease and to the acceptable standards

Course Content
The following are the topics to be covered in the course;

UNIT 1 : INTRODUCTION TO L.A.A.W

Understanding Legal writing
The different types of legal writing
The skills needed for legal writing

UNIT 2 :ESSAY WRITING AND PLAIGARISM

Understanding what the question is
Parts of an essay
Definition and effects of plagiarism
Inadvertent plagiarism

UNIT 3 : THE LAW MAKING PROCESS

Finding and using legislation
How law is made within Zambia
UNIT 4 : CASE LAW
Finding and using case law
The different types of cases
Different types of case citations

UNIT 5 : I.R.A.C
Problem identification
Deciphering legal issues
IRAC technique

UNIT 6: CASE SUMMARY

Necessary elements to include in a case brief
Navigating a case report

UNIT 7 : REFERENCING
Reference and Footnoting
Oxford Legal Referencing Style

Teaching method
The course follows the traditional format of lectures (Physical/virtual) and
class discussion. Students are in addition expected to do a considerable
amount of reading and research both in preparation form and as a follow-up to
lectures. Lecture attendance is compulsory and a record of attendance will be
taken at each lecture

COURSE Assessment
Full time and part time Students:
Continuous Assessment 30% (One Assignment of 10%; Mid-semester exam
of 20%); and 70% Final Exam

Distance Students:
One Assignment of 10% and one test of 20%; and 70% Final Exam
Grading Scheme
Marks Grades Points Classification
86% - 100% A+ 5 Distinction
76% - 85% A 4 Distinction
66% - 75% B+ 3 Meritorious
61% - 65% B 2 Satisfactory
56% - 60% C+ 1 Clear Pass
50% - 55% C 0 Pass
0% - 49% D 0 Fail