Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 4 x 1 Hour Seminars |
| Lecture | 16 x 1 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay (2000 words) | 100% |
| Semester Assessment | Non-assessed MCQs | 0% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay (2000 words) | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify and explain some of the most controversial areas in the criminal law in detail and critically analyse their relevance and application.
2. Identify, analyse and evaluate the elements forming the basis of criminal liability and responsibility.
3. Demonstrate a good understanding of the relevant constituent elements of major defences and offences and be able to apply them to factual situations in order to solve problems.
4. Evaluate and analyse the scope of the criminal law, and coherently identify its current problems, and the ongoing options for reform.
5. Construct convincing and cogent arguments on the basis of relevant law and evidence, in order to develop skills in reading, understanding and applying the relevant legal texts (be it cases or legislation) to legal problems; and to interpret and critically analyse legal rules and texts in a refined and effective way.
Brief description
Is it fair that someone could be convicted of robbery even tough that person merely used the slightest degree of force (e.g. the slightest touch or nudge)? Given that ingesting intoxicants may be neither immoral nor illegal why does voluntary intoxication attract criminal liability? Is it fair that at present the distinction between a 'sane diabetic' and an 'insane diabetic' hangs by a thin thread: 'external factors' (alcohol or insulin) versus 'internal factors' (lack of food or insufficient insulin)? The module is designed to explore the most controversial of criminal law topics in a unique, fun and therefore accessible way. It will focus on controversies issues arising from non-fatal offences against the person, property offences, inchoate offences: attempt, conspiracy and assisting and encouraging under the Serious Crime Act 2007, defences of incapacity and mental conditions and general defences.
Aims
The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to understand and examine critically the evidence, concepts, debates, and controversies associated with the study of criminal law. They will also be informed of the key cases, and legislation which govern the criminal law.
Content
- Introduction to Criminal Law: Controversial Issues
- Defences of incapacity and mental conditions: Insanity and diminished responsibility; Intoxication
- General defences: Self Defence; Duress
- Inchoate Offences
- Attempt
- Encouraging or assisting
- Conspiracy
- Non-fatal offences against the person: Assault and battery; Actual bodily harm; Grievous bodily harm
- Property offences: Theft and burglary; Fraud; Robbery
- Non assessed MCQs
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | Written communication in the examination |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Pre and post-lecture research and seminar preparation; Pre and post-lecture research and seminar preparation; using legal databases in preparation for seminar work and the examination |
| Information Technology | In lectures, pre and post-lecture research; seminar and examination preparation |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Learning throughout the module will be relevant to a career in the legal profession |
| Problem solving | Practical application in seminars and in the non-assessed test. |
| Research skills | Pre and post-lecture research, seminar and examination preparation. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Legal research: use of legal databases as a resource for statute and case law; Reading primary sources in the way of cases and legislation; Problem solving exercises in seminars will assist in examination problem-solving style questions, and, more widely, in the legal profession. |
| Team work | Seminar work; preparation and group discussions |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6