LW1CRI-Criminal Law

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Restricted to LLB students
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Beatrice Krebs
Email: b.krebs@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

To introduce students to the underlying principles of criminal liability.

Aims:

This module will address the application of a range of criminal offences and defences. It will provide students with an appreciation of the development of the criminal law by precedent and statutory interpretation. The module will outline the difficulties of enforcing the law, the need for reform and the implications of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be expected to be able to:

• demonstrate an awareness of the principles of English criminal law and the main offences and defences;


• engage in critical evaluation of the law and comment on proposals for reform;


• apply legal principles with appropriate authorities to the solution of problems;


• evaluate legal arguments and engage in critical appraisal of criminal law doctrine;


• formulate coherent legal arguments and present th em clearly in writing.

Additional outcomes:
Students will develop their oral communication skills through participation in tutorial discussions. Development of ICT skills will be encouraged through utilisation of electronic resources including databases and the Internet. Independent learning will be encouraged through the use of a self-study topic.

Outline content:
•Sources of criminal law – common law, statute, ECHR and Human Rights Act 1998
•Principles of criminal law – actus reus, mens rea, causation, voluntariness, mistake, strict liability
•Homicide offences – murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter
•Participation – accessorial liability
•Non-fatal offences against the person and sexual offences
•Defences – self-defence, duress, necessity, intoxication, insanity
•Inchoate offences – conspiracy, encouraging or assisting crime, attempt
•Offences against property – theft, fraud offences, burglary and robbery.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught by a combination of lectures and tutorials. To encourage independent learning, no lectures will be given on one key topic. A handout will be provided as guidance for this exercise and students will be expected to make their own notes. Students will be required to produce two pieces of written work, the SECOND of which amounts to the summative assessment of the module.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20	20	2
Tutorials	3	5
Guided independent study:	75	75
Total hours by term	98	100	2
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Assessment for this module will be by online exam: a written assignment comprised of answers to three questions from a choice of questions. Students must answer at least one question from each of two sections (Section A – essays, Section B – problem questions). Each answer must not exceed 1,250 words.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be expected to submit one piece of written work.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resit the online exam in August/September (format as for original examination).

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023