UNIVERSITY OF KENT
MODULE SPECIFICATION
1.
Title of the module
Criminal Law (Certificate Programme) LW613
2.
School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the module
Kent Law School
3.
Start date of the module
September 2012
4.
The number of students expected to take the module
30
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation with
other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
None
6.
The level of the module
Certificate [C]
7.
The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents
30 credits (15 ECTS)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Autumn and spring
9.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
None
10. The programmes of study to which the module contributes
Certificate in Law
11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this module will:
11.1 Have a sound grounding in the concepts, principles and rules of criminal offences; in particular
the law relating to murder/manslaughter, non-fatal offences, defences, and theft and deception
11.2 Have a good understanding of the wider debate in respect of the place of criminal law in the
social context, the definitions of harm and the boundaries of criminal law
11.3 Be able to engage in practical application of their knowledge, through consideration of criminal
law problem questions, and encourage critical debate of the issues raised
11.4 Have a clear understanding of the concepts, principles and rules of criminal law considered in
this module
11.5 Have knowledge of the major theoretical debates in the criminal law field.
1
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
11.6 Have the ability to analyse given situations and apply legal principles and case law to assess
criminal liability and any defences
11.7 On presentation of case facts, be able to identify relevant legal rules, principles and case and
statute law applicable for analysis and critique of the facts
11.8 Be able to discuss the major areas of criminal law, making appropriate reference to legal and
academic source authorities
11.9 Be able to evaluate the operation of the criminal law in the social context
11.10
Have the ability to engage in reasoned and informed discussion on the major areas of
criminal law both orally, and in writing
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
12.1 To introduce students to the application of law to case facts and the use of case precedent to
justify assessment of criminal liability
12.2 To provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills in summarising cases and
develop argument through writing a case note.
12.3 To provide the opportunity to students to develop research and presentation skills through
class presentations and through assessment.
12.4 To have the ability to undertake legal research
12.5 To have the skills necessary to present, orally and in writing, legal argument both in class and
through assessment
12.6 To recognise potential alternative conclusions for particular situations, and provide supporting
reasons for them
12.7 To identify and retrieve up to date information, using paper and electronic sources
12.8 To use the relevant legal terminology with care and accuracy
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction to the concept of crime, the structure of criminal justice and the general principles
of liability
Harm and the boundaries of criminal law
Considering cases – how to effectively summarise cases and write a case note
Murder, the problem of causation and omissions and intent to kill
Defences to murder, self-defence, provocation, insanity and diminished responsibility
Manslaughter, unlawful act, recklessness and gross negligence
Non-fatal offences against the person
Sexual offences
Theft and the Fraud Act 2006
The module is structured to provide students with the opportunity to explore the major issues in
criminal law through class presentation, through consideration of problem question style topics and
by working through criminal law problem questions. At the commencement of the module students
are provided with a Seminar Workbook which outlines the weekly seminar topic and task.
14. Indicative Reading List
HERRING J., CRIMINAL LAW: TEXT, CASES AND MATERIALS, 4th edition, Oxford University Press, 2010
ASHWORTH A., PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL LAW, 6th edition, Oxford University Press, 2009.
CARD, Richard, Card, Cross and Jones: Criminal Law, 19th edition, OUP, 2010;
ORMEROD, David, Smith and Hogan: Criminal Law, 13th edition, OUP, 2011;
PADFIELD, Nicola, Criminal Law, 7th edition, OUP, 2010;
2
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and the
total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to achievement of
the intended module learning outcomes
The total number of study hours is 300 (40 hours of lectures, 40 hours of seminars and 220 hours of
private study)
There will be two recorded lectures per week during the first two terms (excluding reading weeks).
Notes are available on the criminal law Moodle page. PowerPoints used in lectures throughout the
course are available on the criminal law Moodle page in advance of the lecture and students may
print these
Two hour weekly seminars are provided. These are structured through a Seminar Workbook, given
out at the beginning of the academic year. The aims and objectives of the course are explained in the
Course Outline Handout.
The function of the lectures is to provide students with the basic framework of legal principles and
precedent which govern the topic under discussion. Lectures form the basis upon which students
prepare for seminar discussion and assignments. In this way lectures meet the module learning
objectives numbered 11.1 to 11.7 & 11.9, and 12.1, 12.6 & 12.8.
Seminars fulfil a number of objectives. They are designed to enable students to engage in
independent research for preparation of the designated seminar debate, thus equipping them with
the skills required to conduct legal research and critically evaluate cases. The seminar discussions
allow students the opportunity to apply their knowledge to scenario facts, through the study of
problem questions and further consider the wider debates relating to the operation of criminal law.
Seminars are structured around problem scenarios and cases, allowing students the opportunity to
develop their skills in summarising cases. In a number of seminars students are require to present
designated topics as oral presentations, thus teaching students how best to utilise the information
available and improving oral skills. This skill is then tested in the oral assessment. In this way seminars
seek to achieve module learning objectives numbered 11.1 to 11.10 and 12.1 to 12.8.
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended module
learning outcomes
The examination forms 80% of the module grade.
The examination takes the form of a three hour unseen paper. Candidates are provided with a case
list of all the cases covered in the course and are permitted to take a statutes book into the
examination. The examination seeks to meet module learning outcomes 11.1 to 11.10 and 12.1, 12.2,
12.4, 12.5, 12.6 & 12.8.
A formative mock examination will be provided.
Coursework forms 20% of the module grade
The coursework will consist of two pieces of assessed work, each equally weighted.
The first piece of coursework, worth 10% of module grade, is a case note which students submit
towards the end of the Autumn Term (1250-1500 words). This is a form of question which provides a
valuable opportunity to develop and demonstrate a more in-depth knowledge of a particular area of
Criminal Law and any issues and debates surrounding the particular area. The case note seeks to
meet all of the modules outcomes 11.1-10 and 12.1-8.
The second assessment, worth 10% of module grade, is an oral presentation where students prepare
a criminal case appeal and must present arguments before a judge. Students will work in pairs to
3
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
present their arguments as to how the legal principles involved should be applied and must also
answer questions put to them by the judge and defend their legal position. These assessments will
be taped. This assessment allows students to develop a practical knowledge of a particular area of
criminal law and to gain understanding of the complexity of attempting to apply legal precedent to
actual facts. In addition the oral nature of this assessment allows students to enhance their public
speaking skills and provides valuable training in working in a small group environment as each pair
of student works in tandem with their opposite pairing. This assessment seeks to meet all of the
modules outcomes 11.1-10 and 12.1-8.
By completing both assessments students are able to develop and utilise a full range of skills, from
learning criminal law to considering and critiquing various social contexts of criminal law in the case
note, and determining appropriate criminal charges, applying legal principles and case precedent in
the oral presentation.
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
None
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality legislation,
and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need in its teaching. Within
this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or
substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and
discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be
made on an individual basis, in consultation with the University’s disability/dyslexia support service,
and specialist support will be provided where needed.
19. Campus where module will be delivered: Medway
Module Specification Template
Last updated July 2014
Content moved to current template Nov 2014 re: PPR/HER
4