Module: LAW4001-20 Criminal Law with Case and Matter Analysis

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Steven Goulton

Module Tutor Contact Details: s.goulton@bathspa.ac.uk

Brief description and aims of module:

Criminal law is one of the most exciting, interesting and immediately-relevant topics to study. On this module, you’ll start your study but thinking about what makes an act ‘criminal’, before exploring the key legal concepts of actus reus and mens rea. Next, we will consider a selection of major, substantive crimes in England & Wales (and as seen globally in similar forms), including fatal and non-fatal violent offences, sexual offences, offences against property and the law governing attempts at committing a crime. Finally, we’ll explore defences; routes to partial or full relief from criminal liability.

This module will be of interest to anyone thinking about a career in the criminal law and the criminal justice system in the widest possible sense as it covers matters relevant to the police, prosecution and courts service, lawyers and academics, prisons and rehabilitation services, journalists and social services too.

In this module, you will be able to demonstrate the following graduate attributes:

▪ Will be employable: Equipped with the skills necessary to flourish in the global workplace, able to work in and lead teams;

▪ Will be able to understand and manage complexity, diversity and change;

▪ Will be critical thinkers: Able to express their ideas in written and oral form, and possessing information literacy.

Outline syllabus

Topics covered might include:

▪ Sources and elements of criminal offences: Politics, labelling, societal changes, mens rea – intention, recklessness, transference, actus reus – voluntariness, omissions, causation, secondary participation;

▪ A selection of major substantive crimes: Homicide; non-fatal offences against people – assault, battery, ABH, GBH (/with intent); sexual offences – rape, assaults, other; property offences – theft, robbery, burglary, fraud, criminal damage; attempts, conspiracy, encouraging and assisting crime;

▪ Defences: mental condition defences, necessity, duress, others.

▪ An introduction to criminal justice process/litigation: bail, magistrates hearings, plea before venue, allocation, case management, disclosure, evidential rules, trial procedure, sentencing, appeals, youth courts.

Teaching and learning activities

You will be taught by way of 2x 1-hour lecture and 1x 2-hour seminar each week. Lectures will introduce and explore substantive subjects as specified above. Seminars will include a variety of activities including class discussion, scenario analyses, role-play, written and research exercises and other formative activities

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Case analysis (2,000 words)

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Exam

• Description: Essay (2,000 words)

• % Weighting: 50%