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LAW-30134 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

LAW-30134 - Criminal Law (Level 6)
Coordinator: Sotirios Santatzoglou Tel: +44 1782 7 34216
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

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 address the role of criminal law in modern society
To locate criminal law within its social and political context
To develop students skills in analysing problems and critically evaluating the criminal law
To develop students skills in reviewing theoretical issues surrounding the criminal law
To access, review and critically appraise basic concepts in criminal law through the use of cases, statutes and theoretical sources
To critically evaluate criminal law problem questions by appropriate use of relevant legal sources

Intended Learning Outcomes

Access, review and critically appraise basic concepts in criminal law through the use of cases, statutes and theoretical sources: 1
critique criminal law problem and/or theoretical questions by appropriate use of relevant legal sources: 1
demonstrate a critical appreciation of criminal law doctrinal issues in their theoretical, social and political context: 1

Study hours

Lectures - 22 hours
Tutorials - 6 hours (6 x 1)
Preparation for lectures and seminars - 50 hours
Further reading and assessment preparation - 72 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 100%
Assignment: Answering a complex problem question - 3,000 word limit.
Assignment of 3,000 word limit: Answering a problem question involving different topics of criminal law. The answers will discuss the criminal liability of different characters involved in the scenario including theoretical commentary where appropriate.

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: 04 December 2025