The subject matter of this module is the substantive criminal law; that is, the general principles of criminal liability, definitions of what constitutes particular crimes and how that law affects particular circumstances. The module covers both the general principles of criminal liability and a number of specific offences. This involves not only a critical examination of the law, but also, using hypothetical factual situations, its detailed appliation. As part of the module, students are required to research a topic that does not form part of the taught syllabus and to provide advice in relation to a given situation. Criminal law is one of the foundations of legal knowledge required as part of a qualifying law degree.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The module is delivered through a programme of weekly scheduled learning and teaching activities, in the form of lectures and seminars, including feedback/feedforward sessions and workshops, supplemented by individual study which will enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of the law and to acquire the ability to research and apply the law to a set of hypothetical facts that simulate real life situations.
Due to the experiential nature of the learning on this degree, and the importance of professional development enabling students to develop practical skills, learn from and interact with others, attendance is compulsory. Any students not attending a minimum of 80% of their timetabled sessions will be at risk of academic failure or termination from the course.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | Feedback/feedforward sessions and workshops | 66 |
Guided independent study | 234 | |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
Assessment will be by a piece of coursework and an end-of-year examination. The examination will be an unseen paper containing a mixture of essay-based and problem-based questions. The coursework will be in the form of a research exercise requiring students to research an area of law that does not form part of the taught syllabus and to use the fruits of that research to provide advice in relation to a given factual situation.
The examination will allow students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the law and the ability to evaluate and apply the law to hypothetical factual situations through a mixture of essay-based and problem-based questions. The coursework enables students to demonstrate their ability to research a novel aspect of criminal law. Opportunities for formative work exist through questions discussed in class, workshop questions and written work based on previous examination questions together with an opportunity to work through a previous year's coursework. The coursework also requires students to reflect on the effectiveness of their research strategy. Students also have access to the previous year's coursework and examination and the feedback on them, which are available from the beginning of the year.
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
1) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of general principles of criminal law and some individual offences | Formative, summative: examination |
2) Apply the law to a set of facts | Formative, summative: examination and coursework |
3) Research aspects of criminal law | Formative, summative: coursework |
4) Construct a reasoned argument and present it in writing | Summative: examination and coursework |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
EXWR | Exam | 40 |
CWK | Portfolio of written work | 60 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
M Allen, Textbook on Criminal Law (Oxford University Press)
or
M Jefferson, Criminal Law (Pearson)
or
W Wilson, Criminal Law (Pearson)
and
K Cook, M James and R Lee, Core Statutes on Criminal Law (Palgrave Macmillan)
or
P R Glazebrook, Blackstone's Statutes on Criminal Law (Oxford University Press)
or
J Herring, Criminal Law Statutes (Routledge)
R Card, Card, Cross & Jones Criminal Law (Oxford University Press)
J Herring, Criminal Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford University Press)
J Herring, Criminal Law (Palgrave Macmillan)
D Ormerod, Smith and Hogan's Criminal Law (Oxford University Press)
D Ormerod, Smith and Hogan Criminal Law: Cases and Materials (Oxford University Press)