LL3107 - Criminal Law (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26, but may be subject to modification | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Module title | Criminal Law | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 240 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module has the following aims:
1. To develop an understanding of the general principles of criminal liability (actus reus, mens rea and defences).
2. To study a selection of the major offences (such as homicide, non-fatal offences against the person and offences involving dishonesty and deception).
3. To exemplify the application of the general principles of liability and the constituent elements of particular offences.
4. To identify the relevant issues and present a logical reasoned analysis of factual scenarios giving rise to criminal liability.
Prior learning requirements
2.2 Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
Syllabus
The Basic Elements of Criminal Liability
Actus reus
Causation
Omissions
Mens rea
Intention
Recklessness
Homicide
Murder, provocation and diminished responsibility
Involuntary manslaughter
Constructive manslaughter
Manslaughter by gross negligence
Causing death by dangerous driving
Non–fatal Offences
Assault and battery
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
Causing or inflicting grievous bodily harm
Sexual offences
Property Offences
Theft
Fraud
Robbery
Burglary
Defences
Intoxication
Insanity
Duress
Necessity
Self-defence
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Scheduled teaching comprises15 two-hour lectures and 15 90 minute tutorials.
Independent study comprises 87.5 hours of directed reading, research, class preparation and formative assessments.
Learning outcomes
Having completed this module, students will be able to do the following:
1. Understand and apply the general principles of criminal liability.
2. Identify, understand and apply the constituent elements of the major offences and defences.
3. Demonstrate the ability to write critical, discursive essays relating to the topics covered in the syllabus.
4. In the context of Criminal Law, to demonstrate a basic ability to bring together information and materials from a variety of different sources; to produce a synthesis of doctrinal and policy issues; and to make a critical judgment of the merits of particular arguments.
5. Demonstrate an ability to use appropriate legal terminology and language in the context of Criminal Law.