1st Edition

Thinking Critically About Law A Student's Guide

By Amy R. Codling Copyright 2018
    246 Pages 20 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    246 Pages 20 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    So you’ve arrived at university, you’ve read the course handbook and you’re ready to learn the law. But is knowing the law enough to get you the very best marks? And what do your lecturers mean when they say you need to develop critical and analytical skills? When is it right to put your own views forward? What are examiners looking for when they give feedback to say that your work is too descriptive?

    This book explores what it means to think critically and offers practical tips and advice for students to develop the process, skill and ability of thinking critically while studying law. The book investigates the big questions such as: What is law? and What is ‘thinking critically’? How can I use critical thinking to get better grades in assessments? What is the role of critical thinking in the work place? These questions and more are explored in Thinking Critically About Law.

    Whether you have limited prior experience of critical thinking or are looking to improve your performance in assessments, this book is the ideal tool to help you enhance your capacity to question, challenge, reflect and problematize what you learn about the law throughout your studies and beyond.

    Preface

    Chapter One: Introduction

    I. TCAL’s Aims

    II. Why is it Important to Have an Inquisitive Mind when Studying Law?

    III. Why Study Law at University?

    Part I: Thinking Critically about Law in Theory

    Chapter Two: What is ‘Critical Thinking’?

    I. What is ‘Thinking’?

    II. Why is it Important to Think ‘Critically’ About Law?

    III. Thinking Critically About Critical Thinking

    Chapter Three: What is ‘Law’? Thinking Critically About Legal Perspectives

    I. Legal Perspectives and The Study of Law

    II. Seven Key Legal Perspectives

    Part II: Thinking Critically about Law in Practice

    Chapter Four: Putting Critical Thinking Into Legal Practice

    I. The Critical Reading and Writing Process

    II. Thinking Critically in the Classroom

    III. Extra-Curricular Activities

    Chapter Five: Thinking Critically About Assessments

    I. Writing Critical Essays

    II. How to Think Critically About Exams

    III. Thinking Critically About Group Assessments

    Chapter Six: Thinking Critically in the Workplace and Beyond

    I. Thinking Ethically About Law

    II. Critical Thinking in the Workplace

    III. Critical Instincts

    Chapter Seven: Conclusion

    Biography

    A. R. Codling has over a decade’s experience studying and teaching law at the Universities of Cardiff, Leeds, Reading and Sussex and is currently a tutor in problem-based learning at York Law School.