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LAW-20120 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

LAW-20120 - Criminal Law
Coordinator: Sotirios Santatzoglou Tel: +44 1782 7 34216
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This module introduces you to the role of criminal law in modern society and encourages you to appreciate criminal law within its theoretical, social, and political contexts. You will learn to access, review and critically evaluate criminal law concepts through engaging with legal and academic materials. You will build on and further develop your skills in analysing problems and in critically evaluating the law, including theoretical issues and current controversies.

Aims
This module aims to:
- Introduce students to the role of criminal law in modern society.
- Locate criminal law within its social and political context.
- Develop students' skills in analysing problems and critically evaluating the criminal law.
- Develop students' skills in reviewing theoretical issues surrounding the criminal law.
- Extend students' doctrinal, theoretical, and conceptual understanding of the criminal law, to challenge orthodox approaches to criminal law, policy and practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

apply cases, statutes and theoretical sources to key concepts in criminal law.: 1,2
analyse criminal law doctrinal issues in their theoretical, social and political context.: 1
assess complex criminal law problems using relevant legal sources.: 2

Study hours

Active Learning Hours:
Lectures - 40 hours (20 hours per semester)
Tutorials - 4 x 1 hours in semester 1 (plus group presentation preparation and delivery time in weeks 11 and 12); 6 x 1 hours in semester 2 (plus drop-in online Q&A sessions near the assessment point)
Preparation for lectures and seminars - 120 hours
Further reading and assessment preparation - 130 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Assessment weighted 30%
Group Presentation: Law Reform
A 10-minute group presentation advancing an argument on a law reform topic chosen by the group, informed by legal research and incorporating critical discussion of at least one key issue raised by the topic. The presentation must be supported by a document including references and a bibliography, in accordance with the OSCOLA referencing system (700 words). This document is shared with the moderator during the marking process. Groups made up of 3-5 students. Presentations will be given in timed slots in front of the seminar tutor only. In line with the Inclusive Education Framework, students with reasonable adjustments that mean they are not required to speak can still demonstrate that they have contributed to the task, e.g. through research, presentation design, or document drafting.

2: Assignment weighted 70%
Problem Question
This assessment will be a complex problem question involving several legal issues drawn from the content of the module. The problem will cover key issues that may be encountered in criminal law practice. 2,500 words.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. 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/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 17 March 2026