Learners will gain a basic knowledge of the sources of criminal law, and how it is made and developed, together with a consideration of the institutions within which criminal law is administered and the personnel who practice it.

Learners are required to both identify and apply legal principles of criminal law. Tutors will facilitate learning about core principles of criminal liability including actus reus and mens rea, specific and general defences, and participation.

Tutors will introduce procedures and processes followed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) including a consideration of magistrates’ courts and Crown Court trials, including appeals.

Learners are expected to draw on and apply knowledge of the following areas of law:

The core legal principles relating to a range of criminal offences including homicide, offences against the person, theft offences, fraud and criminal damages offences. Learners will gain an insight into secondary participation and attempts

1-hour lecture.

2-hour workshop.

The sessions consist of face to face and online learning experiences; learners will be presented with engaging and accessible activities, which will provide them with opportunities to develop their skills of evaluation, and reflection. The planned activities will also promote active learning, self-directed study, and growth mindsets. Tutors will facilitate learning to promote employability and digital competencies for the legal sector with a focus on criminal law.

Learners will be provided with opportunities to engage in reading and analysis of academic texts, Law Commission reports and contemporary cases to ensure success in the summative assessment. Tutors facilitate digital skills throughout the module through use of Blackboard and Teams; learning outcomes will be constructed using Bloom’s Taxonomy.

The assessment is a closed book two-hour examination that is designed to test the application of criminal law by learners.

This is a computer-based single best answer multiple choice test with short problem-based questions. Each single best answer question is followed by five possible answers. The test assesses all three learning outcomes.

Horder, J. (2019). Ashworth's Principles of Criminal Law. 9th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Ormerod, D. and Laird, K. (2018). Smith, Hogan, & Ormerod's Criminal Law. 15th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Loveless, J. Allen, M. and Derry, C. (2020). Complete Criminal Law: Text, Cases, and Materials. 7th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

. Finch, E. and Fafinski, S. (2021) Harlow: Pearson

Complete Criminal Law is available via the Oxford Law Trove and access is free via the university’s subscription.

1. Identify key facts and principles governing criminal liability and relate these to the applicable law.

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Analyse problem situations and apply law to provide appropriate solutions

Problem solving

Analysis

3. Describe and appraise the procedures and processes involved in the criminal justice system for the Magistrates’, Crown courts and Higher Courts.

Learning
Analysis

Criminal law is an exciting subject, which you will find enjoyable and engaging. You will explore the law relating to some of the most serious and/or common criminal offences, including homicide, non-fatal offences against the person and fraud. You will explore a range of defences, such as self-defence, diminished responsibility and insanity. You will learn about the purpose of criminal law, the operation of the criminal courts and several key contemporary concepts of criminal liability such as actus reus and mens rea.