Module LAW1003 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
LAW1003: Criminal Law
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. 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 Skills | 5. 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, in a manner appropriate to the discipline; |
| Personal and Key Skills | 8. 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 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. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case reading exercises | In own time; 1 hour; once per learning cycle | 1-5, 7-10 | Peer discussion in syndicates |
| Self-test questions | In own time; 1 hour; once per learning cycle | 1-5, 7-10 | Peer discussion in syndicates |
| Mock exam essay and problem questions | In own time; 2 hours; once per learning cycle | 1-10 | Tutor and peer discussion in seminars; supplied indicative answers |
| Exam-style assessments x 2 | In own time; 2 hours; Weeks 0 and 9 of Term 2 (potentially covering all topics studied so far) | 1-10 | Marked by teachers; written feedback; indicative answer; oral feedback |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 80 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 80 | 3 hours | 1-10 | Oral and written feedback |
| Essay | 20 | 2 x 800 word essays (students can choose to submit either or both, and will carry the best mark forward if they do both). | 1-10 | Oral and written feedback |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination (3 hours) | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay | Essay (800 words) | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
