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 defences;

2. To enable students to consider the above in a critical and evaluative way by drawing upon wider academic commentary and law reform proposals

3. To enable students to apply this knowledge in a clear, logical and critical manner to factual scenarios and to write about criminal law issues in an informed, clear and critical manner

4. 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

* Introduction – What is a crime?

* Actus Reus – Acts, Omissions, and Causation

* Mens Rea – Intention, Recklessness, and Transferred Malice

* Homicide – Murder and 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), Consent and Sexual Offences (Rape)

* General Defences – Self-Defence, Duress

* Theft and Robbery

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures: There will be 22 one-hour lectures delivered in person. 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.

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 learn from each other and to clarify any issues. The seminars help deliver the skills outcomes outlined above and help students prepare for both the coursework and exam components of the module.

3 x One hour sessions delivered to whole cohort in person. One introductory session, one in advance of written assessment submission to provide guidance on coursework assessment and one to provide feedback on the coursework.

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 provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their written, research and analytical skills and to demonstrate intended learning knowledge and skills outcomes. It provides feedback to students which can help them assess their performance on the module and helps prepare students for the end of year exam.

An digital (Inspera timed invigilated) 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, the ability to write in an informed, evaluative, concise and precise manner on a specific topic/scenario under time constraints.