Aims

The aims of the course are as follows:

1.       To introduce students to the substantive criminal law of England & Wales through the study of basic principles/elements of criminal liability, key offences and some partial and general defences;

2.       To encourage students to consider the above in a critical and evaluative way by analysing key legal decisions and statutory law and by engaging with wider academic commentary and law reform proposals;

3.       To promote deeper thinking and critical analysis of the criminal law by highlighting thematic frameworks within which to consider the law being studied. The use of overarching themes such as objective versus subjective approaches to liability, law and gender, law and emotion, law and autonomy and heteronormativity provide a means of conceptualizing topics, seeing connections between topics as well as identifying underlying motivations for, or consequences of, specific criminal laws;

4.       To enable students to apply their knowledge in a clear, logical and critical manner to factual scenarios and to write about criminal law issues and cases in an informed, precise and critical manner both independently and as a part of a group when working together in seminars

5.       To encourage independent thought and an enquiring mind so that students can draw upon a range of relevant sources in ways that make it possible for them to articulate their own view on the law being studied or on possible reform


6.       To provide a sufficient knowledge and understanding of key elements of criminal law so that students will be able to engage with new or unfamiliar criminal offences in the future

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will introduce students to the basic elements of criminal liability:


*       Introduction – What is a crime?

*       Actus Reus – Acts, Omissions, and Causation

*       Mens Rea – Intention, Recklessness, and Transferred Malice

The module will then cover a range of offences and defences from the list below – note not all topics listed below will be covered in a given year. The precise topics to be covered will be listed in the module handbook for the relevant academic year

*       Murder

*       Manslaughter (Voluntary Manslaughter – loss of control and diminished responsibility and Involuntary Manslaughter – Unlawful and Dangerous Act Manslaughter and Gross Negligence Manslaughter).

*       Non-Fatal Offences against the Person and Consent – Offences against the Person (assault, battery, ABH and GBH), and Consent
     
*       Sexual Offences (Rape)

*       General Defences – Self-Defence, Duress
     
*       Capacity – Intoxication, Insanity and Automatism

*       Theft and Robbery

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures: The majority of the lectures will deliver the substantive content of the module setting out and explaining the essential content, highlighting issues of controversy and where further reading and research is necessary. The aim of the lectures is to help students achieve the intended knowledge outcomes set out above and providing the foundational basis for the intended skills outcomes set out above. In addition a number of lectures focused on assessment will be provided aimed at ensuring students are aware of what the focus and purpose of assessment is, what is expected and how to prepare and do well.


Small group teaching: There will be 5 one-hour small group classes. The seminars will provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge to problem based and essay based questions and obtain feedback on their approach. The seminars also provide students with the opportunity to discuss key cases, wider reading, learn from each other and to clarify any issues. The seminars help deliver the skills outcomes outlined above and help students prepare for the assessment.

Structured Guided Learning: combination of pre-recorded material and text to supplement lectures and MCQs to test knowledge and understanding of substantive content.

Independent Study: There are 106 hours allocated to independent guided study and 60 hours to coursework preparation and writing and exam revision and preparation. Students are supported with reading lists and hot topics on the substantive topics studied but also have freedom to pursue their own further reading on specific topics.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written exercise will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their written, research, problem solving and analytical skills and to demonstrate intended learning knowledge and skills outcomes. It will also help prepare them for the in person exam by giving them both practice of and feedback on their approach to answering a style of question which will also feature on the exam paper. The type of question set for the written exercise will vary from year to year and will be either a problem based question or an essay based question.

The in person digital examination enables students to demonstrate essential knowledge, understanding and skills. In particular, it tests knowledge and understanding across the wider curriculum content, it enables students to demonstrate problem solving skills, analytical skills, and written communications skills within a limited time frame and with access to minimal material. The exam paper will consist of 4 questions - 2 essay and 2 problem questions - and students will have to answer 2 questions.