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LAW-20028 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2021/22 Last Updated: 16 February 2022

LAW-20028 - Criminal Law I
Coordinator: Sotirios Santatzoglou Tel: +44 1782 7 34216
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2021/22

Criminal law has a critical and high profile role in modern society. This module addresses basic questions regarding its scope and the conditions under which it is appropriate to impose criminal liability. Should a person who carelessly sets fire to a building be guilty of arson? Should a person who kills following years of domestic abuse or whilst extremely drunk be guilty of murder or manslaughter? To what extent should people be permitted to use force in defence of themselves or property? The principles governing the courts' approach to questions such as these are contested and shaped by a range of political, social and theoretical considerations. This module explores these issues in order to provide a critical analysis of a key area of law.

Aims
To introduce students to the role of criminal law in modern society
To locate criminal law within its social and political context
To develop skills in analysing problems and critically evaluating the criminal law
To develop skills in reviewing theoretical issues surrounding the criminal law

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/law-20028/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

demonstrate an ability to access, to review and to critically appraise basic concepts in criminal law through cases and statutes: 1
demonstrate an ability to answer problem questions in criminal law by appropriate use of relevant legal materials: 1
demonstrate the development of a critical appreciation of the criminal law in its theoretical, social and political context: 1

Study hours

Lectures: 20 hours (which includes a revision lecture of two hours)
Seminars: 8 hours
Examination: 2 hours
Seminar Preparation 50 hours
Exam Preparation 50 hours
Private Study 20 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Open Book Examination weighted 100%
24-hour, online open-book exam
The word limit for the assessment is 3,000 words. Students must answer the pre-seen essay question from Part A and one unseen problem question (from a choice of two) in Part B. The questions carry equal weight. The paper will be released on the KLE at 10am on the morning of the exam. Students will have 24 hours to submit their answers. Although 24 hours has been allocated as the time frame within which answers must be submitted, we expect that most students will take no more than 2-3 hours to complete their answers. Answers must be completed and submitted in accordance with the Law School approved rubric for 24-hour online assessments.

Please note that for the 2021/22 Academic Year all programmes will be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there will be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 16 February 2022