Criminal Law

Key information

Start date
End date
Year of study
Year 1
Duration
Full
Module code
155200068
FHEQ Level
5
Credits
30
Department
School of Law, Gender and Media

Module overview

This module introduces students to the general principles of criminal law and to the social, economic, political and moral context in which they have developed.

The module concentrates on fatal and non-fatal offences against the person, sexual offences and offences against property. It also examines the range of defences that may be available to a criminal charge, and principles of secondary and incohoate liability.

On successful completion of the course, students should be able to state and explain:

  • the general principles of liability under English criminal law;
  • the substantive elements of major offences including homicide, non-fatal offences against the person, sexual offences, and offences against property;
  • principles of secondary and inchoate liability;
  • both partial and general defences to criminal liability.

Students should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of the doctrine of criminal law in its social, economic, political and moral context.

Objectives and learning outcomes

  • Have acquired knowledge and critical understanding of the established principles of liability under criminal law, and an understanding of the ways in which these principles have evolved
  • Understand the underlying social, economic, political and moral context that shapes criminal law and be able to apply this critical understanding in other contexts
  • State and explain the substantive elements of major offences including homicide, non-fatal offences against the person, sexual offences, and offences against property
  • State and explain partial and general defences to criminal liability
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different methods used in analysing and arguing about criminal law
  • Have an understanding of the limits of their own knowledge, and an appreciation of how this might shape their analyses and interpretations of the subject
  • Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms
  • Have the ability to proceed to further and more complex study in the field of law, and take on greater responsibility for their own learning in this regard

Workload

  • Weekly 2 hour lecture
  • 1 hour tutorial (please see syllabus for details of when tutorials are scheduled)

Method of assessment

  • Test: 10%
  • Coursework: 20% (1000 words)
  • Unseen written exam: 70%

Suggested reading

  • Ormerod and Child, Smith & Hogan's Essentials of Criminal Law (OUP: 2021)

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.