To introduce students to the fundamental concepts of criminal law;
To introduce students to the most important specific offences and defences in the criminal law of England and Wales;
To enhance students' acquisition of key skills in the study of law;
To develop students' understand how the study of law differs from practising law;
To equip students to carry out independent tasks and research to a reasonable level as a basis for further development in subsequent study.

(LO1) Ability to attain a reasonable theoretical and doctrinal understanding of the criminal law.

(LO2) Ability to extract the law from legislation and cases.

(LO3) Ability to trace the development of the law through legislation and case law.

(LO4) Ability to critically analyse and assess the law.

(LO5) Ability to apply their knowledge of the law to hypothetical factual situations.

(LO6) Ability to use traditional and electronic sources of material.

(LO7) Ability to complete specified tasks with direction from academic staff.

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills – oral

(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - written

(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Influencing skills – argumentation

(S4) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

(S5) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S6) Critical thinking and problem solving - Problem identification

(S7) Working in groups and teams - Group action planning

(S8) Skills in using technology - Information accessing

(S9) Reflection on performance, including the use of feedback to develop the quality of work produced and to self-assess work.

Indicative Syllabus (final syllabus to be made available to students ahead of each academic year via Canvas)

SEMESTER 1:
Introduction to the criminal courts, criminal law theory/principles and structure of criminal offences;
Actus Reus;
Mens Rea;
Homicide;
Sexual offences;
Non-fatal, non-sexual offences against the person;
revision lecture(s);

SEMESTER 2:
Property offences;
Complicity;
Inchoate liability;
Defences;
revision lecture(s).

Teaching Patterns

Asynchronous content per semester delivery of content previously delivered via on campus lectures covering the full syllabus. MCQs will accompany asynchronously delivered content/topics across both semesters.

6 x 2-hour synchronous sessions (i.e. seminars) per semester so 12 x 2 hrs across the module.

Contact Hours

2020/21: change to 48 hours asynchronous material and
24 hours synchronous sessions.

Module Delivery

2020/21: combination of asynchronous and synchronous sessions i.e. Hybrid Active Learning.