Module LAW3168 for 2018/9
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
LAW3168: Criminal Justice and Evidence
This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.
Module Aims
The aims of this modules are:
- To provide you with a structure to enable you to critically examine criminal justice processes in England and Wales.
- To enable you to understand a variety of theoretical approaches to the study of criminal justice processes and to make judgements about the ethical issues and values involved.
- To instil an appreciation of the variety of issues raised by the study of criminal justice processes, and the complexity of those issues particularly in respect of the extent to which they may interrelate.
- To develop your ability to understand both the variety of principles applicable to criminal justice issues, and to be able to critically assess both existing processes and proposals for change, having regard to existing knowledge and research findings.
- To provide you with a variety of opportunities to fulfil the above aims, and to demonstrate knowledge of relevant theoretical approaches, principles and laws and the ability to apply them to particular aspects of criminal justice.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of relevant theoretical approaches, principles and laws as they relate to criminal justice 2. Critically evaluate a variety of criminal justice processes effectively and independently, both as they exist and in relation to proposals for reform |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Understand the relationship between legal rules and their implementation in practice as revealed by relevant research, and the limitations of law in regulating social action 4. Demonstrate an appreciation of the complex interrelationship between different justice processes and phenomena |
| Personal and Key Skills | 5. Conduct appropriate research in relation to specific criminal justice issues 6. Produce a structured, coherent and concise argument, both orally and in writing 7. Work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Nature & objectives of the criminal justice system
- The HRA 1998 and criminal justice
- Stop & search powers
- Powers of arrest
- Detention and Interrogation
- The right to silence at the police station
- Unlawfully obtained evidence
- Confessions and confession evidence
- Obtaining Identification Evidence
- Prosecution Decisions/Alternatives to prosecution
- Bail: Police and Court
- Legal Aid
- Prosecution and defence disclosure
- Summary Justice
- Jury Trial
- Burden of Proof
- Examination in Chief and Cross-Examination
- Hearsay
- Character
- Corroboration
- Sentencing & Appeals from Crown Court
- Miscarriages of Justice
- Abuse of Process, Civil Remedies and CCRC
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 245 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 46 | 23 x 2 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 9 | 6 x 1.5 hour workshops |
| Guided Independent Study | 120 | Individual reading and lecture preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 35 | Workshop preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 80 | Assessment preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Formative assessment |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan 1 | 750 words | 1-6 | Comments and individual feedback on collection |
| Essay plan 2 | 750 words | 1-6 | Comments and individual feedback on collection |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 50 | 3000 words | 1-6 | Written feedback and discussion on individual request |
| Essay 2 | 50 | 3000 words | 1-6 | Result and discussion on individual request |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | Essay (3,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September re-assessment period |
| Essay 2 | Essay (3,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September re-assessment period |
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
- M. Davies, ‘Davies, Croall & Tyrer’s Criminal Justice’ (5 th edition, Pearson, 2015)
- N. Padfield and J. Bild, ‘Text and Materials on the Criminal Justice Process’ (5 th edition, Routledge, 2015)
- A. Sanders, R. Young, and M. Burton, ‘Criminal Justice’ (4 th edition, OUP, 2010).
- Web based and electronic resources to be provided on ELE page.
