2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LAW5065M Central Issues in Criminal Law

15 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Professor Peter Whelan
Email: P.Whelan@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module analyses some of the most important issues in criminal law and the extent to which they can be resolved in practice. The issues to be studied include: the decision to employ the criminal law; the concept of criminal conduct; capacity; fault; moral neutrality; complicity; and the concept of a defence. The main focus is on the criminal law of England and Wales, although other jurisdictions (such as the United States) are also considered. Students will consider a different issue per seminar and will obtain a firm understanding of the key principles, approaches and concepts that can be relied upon to resolve the issues under discussion. This module would be of interest to students who wish to obtain a robust introduction to the key principles, approaches and concepts that inform the criminal law. No prior knowledge of criminal law is necessary for this module.

Objectives

This module will introduce students to some of the fundamental principles, approaches and concepts underpinning the criminal law by exploring a discrete set of (important and complex) issues which concern the substantive content of this law. In particular it examines issues such as: how does one rationalise the decision to criminalise behaviour; how does one conceptualise the notion of 'criminal conduct'; how should the concept of 'fault' influence the substance of the criminal law; the extent to which 'moral neutrality' is problematic in the context of criminal offences; how should complicity be dealt with; how should ‘attempts’ be dealt with in criminal law; and how should one conceptualise the notion of a 'defence'. Although this module will focus mainly on the criminal law of England and Wales, other jurisdictions (such as the United States, for example) will be considered when relevant. The central goal of the module is to provide the students with a robust introduction to the key principles, approaches and concepts in (substantive) criminal law. In addition however, students will not only be expected to understand these principles, approaches, concepts, they must also be prepared to question and critique them in a logical, reasoned manner.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have:
- demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject achieved an understanding of important complex issues facing the operation of the criminal law;
- achieved an understanding of the main principles underlying the criminal law;
- achieved an understanding of how these principles can impact upon the substance of the criminal law;
- achieved an understanding of the main concepts and approaches underlying the criminal law;
- achieved an understanding of the substance of some fundamental criminal offences;
- achieved fluency in the language/terminology of the criminal law.

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. The ability to read case law and to appreciate and understand legal language in context.
2. The ability to assess critically the legal material that forms the subject matter of the course.
3. The ability to conduct legal research and write in an academically-focused manner on a legal topic.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	10	1.50	15.00
Private study hours			135.00
Total Contact hours			15.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formal formative assessment opportunity will be provided, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to the summative assessment task. As part of this, each student will receive individual feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative assessment.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 27/03/2024

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