1. Identify and explain key facts and principles governing criminal liability.

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Describe and appraise the procedures and processes involved in the criminal justice system.

Learning, Analysis

3. Analyse problem situations and apply the relevant legal provisions to achieve appropriate solutions.

Problem-solving, Analysis

4. Communicate arguments effectively in an appropriate formal academic written style.

Communication

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

This is an online, computer-based exam facilitated through the VLE. It shall consist of a combination of multiple-choice questions and a problem-based scenario. Each multiple-choice question shall be followed by four possible responses and learners will be required to select the correct response.

The exam will assess all the learning outcomes (LO1, Knowledge and Understanding) (LO2, Analysis) (LO3, Problem-solving) (LO4, Communication)

On this module, the primary focus will be on the jurisdiction of England and Wales and western-centric notions of crime and justice. 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 the 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 the Magistrates’ Courts and Crown Court trials, and routes for appeal.

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

General principles of criminal law – sources of criminal law, burden and standard of proof, criminal court structure and hierarchy, routes for appeal, etc.

Basic elements of criminal liability – actus reus, mens rea, causation and strict liability.

Defences of incapacity – doli incapax, fitness to plead, insanity, automatism and intoxication.

Defences of compulsion – self-defence and duress.

Inchoate offences – attempt, conspiracy and assisting/encouraging.

Property offences – theft, robbery, fraud and criminal damage.

Non-fatal offences against the person – assault, battery, ABH, GBH and wounding.

Sexual offences – rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault.

Homicide offences – murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.

The criminal justice system as we know it today is a combination of rules, traditional practices and statutes which have developed over several centuries to regulate behaviour and punish those who commit a crime. The law in this area can be exciting and thought-provoking, ranging from the most serious criminal offences, such as murder, to the most trivial of misdemeanours.

Indeed, the study of criminal law is fascinating, yet it can also be challenging. This module aims to provide you with an understanding of various aspects of criminal law as part of your LLB. The module also seeks to provide you with the necessary skills to gain employment in the many agencies that make up the criminal justice sector.

The majority of learning materials will be presented online asynchronously organised as a series of weekly topics. Students will be encouraged to follow the weekly schedule where this is possible. Three synchronous online webinars will be held to provide opportunities for live interaction between students and lecturer, to cover an introduction to the module and learning expectations, an assessment guidance session, and a consolidation session prior to the assessment date. These sessions will be recorded for the benefit of students who are unable to attend at the scheduled time.

The online learning materials will be organised as a range of short activities for each topic. Instant feedback will be provided where appropriate on computer-aided tests of knowledge. Summaries and explanations of applied tasks will be available, allowing students to assess their progress against suggested answers.

Tutor-student and peer interaction will be facilitated through the use of collaborative online learning spaces. Students will be able to post questions and queries as they reflect on their own developing understanding of the key subject concepts.

A formal ‘mock’ formative assessment opportunity will be offered.

Learners will be provided with opportunities to perform a close reading and analysis of various academic texts – from journal articles, textbook chapters, case reports, academic commentaries, and Law Commission reports – to ensure success in the summative assessment.

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

This text is available via the Oxford Law Trove and access is free via the university’s subscription.

Recommended reading materials include:

Finch, E and Fafinski, S. (2021) Law Express: Criminal Law (8th edn, Pearson 2021).

Monaghan, N. (2020) Criminal Law Directions (6th edn, OUP 2020).

Horder, J. (2019) Ashworth’s Principles of Criminal Law (9th edn, OUP 2019)

Ormerod, D and Laird, K. (2018) Smith, Hogan, & Ormerod’s Criminal Law (15th edn, OUP 2018).

All texts, with the exception of Finch and Fafinski’s Law Express: Criminal Law, are available via the Oxford Law Trove and access is free via the university’s subscription to this service.