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 application. As part of the module, you 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 sets of hypothetical facts that simulate real life situations
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures and seminars | 66 |
| Guided independent study | Lectures and seminars | 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 contain 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. The coursework also requires students to reflect on the effectiveness of their research strategy. Students also have access to the previous year's examination and the feedback on it which are available from the beginning of the year.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Demonstrate detailed, critical knowledge and understanding of general principles of criminal law and some individual offences | Formative, summative: coursework and examination |
| 2) Apply detailed legal knowledge to a set of facts | Formative, summative: coursework and examination |
| 3) Research aspects of criminal law | Formative, summative: coursework |
| 4) Construct a detailed, reasoned legal argument and present it effectively in writing | Summative: coursework and examination |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Exam | Written exam | 40% |
| Portfolio of written work | Coursework | 60% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment 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: 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 Criminal Law (Oxford University Press)
D. Ormerod Smith and Hogan Criminal Law: Cases and Materials (Oxford University Press)