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School of Law

Criminal law

Course Code:
155200034
Unit value:
1
Year of study:
Year 1
Taught in:
Full Year
The Criminal Law course introduces students to the general principles of criminal law and to the social, political and moral context in which they have developed. The course concentrates on fatal and non-fatal offences against the person and offences against property as well as the range of defences that may be available on a criminal charge. The course also devotes time to questions of law reform.

Objectives and learning outcomes of the course

On successful completion of the course, students should be able to state and explain the general principles of criminal liability under English criminal law, the substantive elements of major offences including homicide, non-fatal offences against the person, sexual offences, offences against property and offences against law and order as well as both partial and general defences to criminal liability. Ideally, students should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the doctrine of criminal law in its socio-economic and political context.

Method of assessment

Assessment weighting:

 20% coursework (one essay worth 10%, one in-class test worth 10%); 

80% unseen examination. 

Resubmission of coursework regulations do not apply to this course.