Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW3003: Criminal Law

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

Module Aims

The module aims to make you fully conversant with the main criminal law offences; aware of the complexity of definitional issues; aware of the major theoretical debates within the field of criminal law: and able to argue with confidence on relevant ethical and doctrinal issues.

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. explain and critically evaluate the general concepts and principles governing the criminal law, their derivation and the various theories that encapsulate and attempt to systematise them
2. demonstrate detailed knowledge of the law and related academic opinion on the offences and defences covered on the module
Discipline-Specific Skills3. demonstrate detailed knowledge of legal rules and concepts, as well as their contextual, moral and political implications
4. demonstrate ability to integrate and assess relevant information from primary and secondary legal sources using appropriate interpretative techniques
5. demonstrate ability to apply and critically evaluate relevant law in relation to problem scenarios and discursive essay questions
Personal and Key Skills6. demonstrate ability to communicate and engage in debate effectively, orally and in writing, in a manner appropriate to the context
7. demonstrate ability to work effectively and proactively both independently and with others within a group, and to manage time efficiently in preparing for learning activities and assessments
8. identify, retrieve and use efficiently a range of library-based and electronic resources with minimum guidance