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Summary SCL1501: SKILLS COURSE FOR LAW STUDENTS EXAMINATION NOTES

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Course
Skills Course for Law Students (SCL1501)

Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)

By means of its concise, accurate, straight forward nature, these notes ensure your success to passing this module from a place of confident understanding; all coming from a fellow student who achieved a high distinction in this exam.

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Uploaded on October 15, 2024
Number of pages 24
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SKILLS COURSE FOR LAW STUDENTS NOTES
UNIT 1: WHAT IS LAW?

What is law?
A closer look at this definition shows a number of important points or characteristics:
● Law is a system of rules (however, not all systems of rules are law);
● The rules are recognised by the state (not religion, science, or sporting
codes);
● The rules are meant to control human actions (in relation to society, things,
the environment);
● The rules are enforceable

It is not neutral. It always carries the values of those who have the power.

What is a state?
> A non-physical entity, an abstract notion or phenomenon.
> created by citizens through their deemed agreement (i.e. social contract) in terms
of which they entrust their existence, power and resources to this imagined authority.
> Keeps law and order (protection) and providing other social / economic services.
> In the modern state, these roles are carried out by a government
(natural persons) who categorise their functions into the judiciary, executive and
Legislature (arms of government)
> “state” needs physical beings or human beings to act on its behalf (carry out its
functions - organs of state)

Therefore, “state capture” is an odd concept because the state has always been an
object of capture.

What is Government?
A group of people who have assumed the authority to run the affairs of the state.

The function of law:
Maintains peace & order in society for legal subjects - individual to individual (e.g
Constitution and Bill of Rights)

Enforced by means of criminal sanctions (imprisonment, fine, correctional
supervision, community service)

Keeps order among individuals and between individuals and things/environments in
society.

Importance of skills
Praxis = the practical action of theory learnt

,UNIT 2: STUDY SKILLS
Concept of studying
Studying = self discipline in physically engaging with organising study materials
(books, cases, legislature) and using them to acquire knowledge for a certain
purpose.
“Banking education” is the result of a student studying without learning.

Learning = The result of studying - a process (subjective being)
● Questioning the information and, if necessary, changing or interpreting it.
● Gathering new ideas and information and making it one’s own.
● Relating that information to one’s own life, realities and experiences and
applying it in relevant situations in a meaningful way.
● Interacting or discussing with fellow students or the teacher, sharing ideas
and thus engaging in dialogue.

The studying process:
Exploration phase:
> Ensure that you have all the required study material.
> Contact fellow students to sort out problems.
> Discuss the topic with lecturers, etc.
> Identify and clarify difficult concepts.
> Get an overview of the content of the learning material.
> Identify questions you must answer.
> Make summaries for intensive study later.

Fixation phase:
> Consolidation of facts
> Summarising facts
> Supplementing and reviewing your notes.
> Memorisation/rehearsal without “banking education”

Testing phase:
> Asking yourself questions that cover the material

, Study environment:
a) Social space:
People that support your studies
Don’t distract you

b) Physical space:
Particular space where you study
Be comfortable
Good lighting and ventilation
Temperature control
No interruptions
No distractions

Motivation
External Motivation:
Negative external motivation:
- Anxiety to make you want to work

Positive external motivation:
- Rewards

Internal Motivation:
- Drive
- Long term goals
- Short term goals

Important things to consider:
1. Wants vs needs in to do list
2. Prioritising
3. Your lifestyle’s accommodation to your studies
4. Time management
5. Note making to determine importance of info in modules ; visual vs narrative
notes
6. Memorisation strategies: acronyms, associations, imagery

Study groups
a) Central figure model:
- The person in the middle is responsible for the flow of communication.
- This model is suitable for simple tasks.
- Disadvantage: central figure can be overloaded with information or he/she can
block the flow of information.
- Success: depends on the leadership abilities of the person in charge.

b) Decentralised groups model:

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