W100 - Pre-course reading?

Hi Nici,

Has anyone come back to you, I'd be interested in the same advice?

Regards,

Nodene

 I'm wondering the same thing

 Whilst it's not official reading, I was advised by a friend to invest in and read a Law Dictionary before starting my course. I am using "A Dictionary of Law (Oxford Paperback Reference)" for mine and I'd recommend anyone studying law to invest in one, especially if you're a beginner :) 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dictionary-Law-Oxford-Paperback-Reference/dp/0199551243/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323255828&sr=8-1

Hope this is helpful! 

You might also like to look at some content on OpenLearn Law section there seems to be lots in there top help you get in the right 'mindset' too.

Good luck with W100!

Jenny, Platform Team

Hi

I did Y166_1 Starting with Law on Open Learn and now I am looking at W100_1 Making and Using Rules

There is lots of other stuff on Open Learn too

Good Luck

Becca

 Hi, 

I am also starting W100 and looking for a bit of pre-reading. 

Ive just bought The Good Study Guide. I haven't read it yet though. 

Now to find a dictionary. 

Hi, another newbie for W100 in Feb.  I was at my local library this morning (I work there a couple of mornings a week - handy!) and picked up How to Write Better Law Essays by Steve Foster, after another poster's recommendation.  Also picked up a couple of books on essay writing and assignments just to get me in the right frame of mind...  And... as it's my birthday on Sunday, my sons have ordered me The Longman Dictionary of Law and Letters to a Law Student (aren't they kind?!).

Cath

 Hey Cath, sounds like your part time job will come in handy........

re. dictionaries and other useful textbooks?.............I got most of mine from fleabay, and was amazed at the minimal costs compared to buying new.

I picked up a Thesaurus a few weeks back and have found it invaluable for essay writing, really helped with composing texts without too much repetition. There are only so many times you can repeat 'rights and responsibilities' right?

There are a couple of shops on there that just buy and sell academic materials, law texts etc.

Here are a couple of good places to get books for OU modules at discounted prices: Eddington Hook and University Book Search and also Waterstones.

Best of luck with your modules and happy reading

Robyn

Hi Nici

I'm in the same boat here, i've used the OU online library and i've raided my local library for law books this week as i'm starting W100 in Feb. I've also been spending time stitting in on cases in my local Magistrates Court which has been very interesting and i'd recommend it if you have a court close to you. Hope this helps, good luck with starting your course

Kim

Hello, I will be starting W100 in February, did Y166 last year and I brough the Oxford Law Dictionary as well to help me terminology and understanding the law terms when they appear. I am a bit scared of whether I would find the time to study because I work full time and I have a two year old daughter as well; just wanted to know if any advise is needed could I please have some....lol.

When I did my Y166 I asked my tutor whether I should buy anymore materials, he said no because anything that I would need would be in my course material and if I want I could buy a dictionary and that is why I brought my dictionary. I hope this helps.

Good Luck all those starting new courses.

Chemaine

 Hi all ... Im about to start W100 this Feb 

i was reading Y166 Its helpful... also research on net.. Good Luck to all of us :) 

 So so reassuring to know I'm not the only person a bit apprehensive! I'm 43 and probably a bit passed this, my two daughters are studying law at A level makes me feel stupid. What have I done!  Good luck everyone

Hi Belinda, hope the early days of your course are going well. I am responding to you as I will be 49 when my W100 starts in Feb '13, and like you am very apprehensive if I can cope after all these years away from the education system! I was wondering how you are finding things?

Hi all

I have just stumbled across this post and wanted to pass on what i did before i started to study law.

I completed my LLB a couple of years ago.  When i started my degree there were only 4 courses and they were the compulsory courses.  I therefore started with W200. However, as i progressed new courses were introduced.  The final course i did was W100 as part of my 'free choice' points.

W100 was much more free and open compared to W200.  I really really enjoyed W200 as i think it explained everything very well.

W100 is very different - it gives you an insight into different areas of law and introduces you to different aspects of the law - whereas W200 focused on the English Legal System and European Law in detail.

Before i studied my first course, i read the book 'The Law Machine' by Marcel Berlins.  This book introduces you to the law and gives you an oversight of how things work.  I thought it was fantastic and i think it will help anyone who is embarking on a law course.  I referred to it many times during my study - just to get a different perspective.

In w100 i think there is quite a bit of steady reading.  Nothing too detailed but i remember there to be lots of light interesting reading.  I did feel that sometimes the course books didn't go into enough detail but saying that the course is a level 1 and I believe designed to give you an insight.

I'll be starting the W100 course in Feb '13.

I've been browsing forums for a few months trying to find reading material and the best book I have come across so far which I couldn't recommend more is Letters to a Law student - Nicholas J. McBride... It helps with essay writing, it gives you further pre-reading material, it helps with organisation, it helps with reading law articles, cases and statutes (The book also recommends a Law dictionary as a must)....

I'm liking the look of The Law Machine, so I think I might have to give that one a go

Best of luck

Jon

 Hi all - I am due to start W100 in Feb along with quite a few on here!!

I raided my local library and amazon for the books that were mentioned and also bought "English Legal System" by Catherine Elliot - something I used a lot when reperesenting myself in various civil and family matters over the last few years...

Good luck all!!

Lou

Is anyone starting W100 feb and from scotland? im looking to get in touch with people willing to disscuss up and coming topics compare notes that sort of thing if so maybe contact through facebook? www.facebook.com/louisemillermccall would really appriciate it