Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW1003: Criminal Law

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

In this module you will cover the core elements of some of the major crimes in the law of England and Wales. The emphasis will be on understanding how the criminal law can be applied to real-life ‘problem’ scenarios. You will also be encouraged to reflect on whether or not the law could be improved, and even propose some creative new approaches. In particular, the module aims to enable you to:

 

(a) Communicate knowledge and understanding of the major principles and controversies of the criminal law syllabus

(b) Identify the relevant issues from the criminal law syllabus which arise in a problem or essay question

(c) Analyse, evaluate and apply the criminal law syllabus in context to reach conclusions

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the criminal law syllabus, using appropriate concepts, interpretative techniques and terminology;
2. Identify and analyse (with guidance) the general concepts and principles underpinning criminal law, together with related theories and academic commentary;
3. Research a legal question and demonstrate competence in applying criminal law in order to formulate and evaluate a response to it;
4. Demonstrate understanding of some of the relevant legal practice, social, economic, political, historical, philosophical, ethical and cultural contexts within which the criminal law operates;
Discipline-Specific Skills5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of legal rules, concepts, values and principles, and the capability to explain and discuss the relationships among them;
6. Make an informed judgement about the merits and relevance of particular information and make reasoned choices between alternative solutions or arguments;
7. Communicate technical legal information and argument effectively and concisely, orally and in writing, in a manner appropriate to the discipline;
Personal and Key Skills8. take responsibility for own learning (with support), and to work effectively with others within a group, meeting obligations to the other members of the group;
9. identify, retrieve and use efficiently a range of library-based and electronic resources with some guidance;
10. manage time efficiently in preparing for learning activities, and to work independently within a limited time frame, to complete a specified task