2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
LISS1027 The Path to Justice: Criminal Law and Legal Skills
10 creditsClass Size: 30
Module manager: Nina Herzog
Email: N.Herzog@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: 1 Jul to 31 Aug View Timetable
Year running 2023/24
Pre-requisite qualifications
GPA of 2.5 (US) or equivalent and enrolled at a universityThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Law is a diverse and stimulating discipline which is integral to everyday life. Whether from crime and policing to the courtroom, or from banking to individual rights every person in society has experience of how the law affects their lives. During this module students will explore and challenge their own understanding of law and will have the opportunity to practise legal skills to take with them beyond the classroom. This module is designed to provide the fundamentals of knowledge and an introduction to the English Legal System. The module will examine a range of core subject areas of law, such as human rights, constitutional and criminal. A concise underpinning of theory will be combined with several opportunities to develop essential legal skills. Practical activities will include statute-building, debates on law and ethics and mooting. This module will include a field trip to the Yorkshire Law and Order Museums in Ripon, a stunning cathedral city in North Yorkshire.Objectives
- To introduce non-law students to some basic and fundamental legal principles- To engage students in practical activities relevant to the course content, such as mooting
- To promote communication skills and confidence in presentation
- To facilitate students' development of problem solving and teamwork skills
- To promote law as a subject and discipline
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, student should be able to:
- Understand a range of criminal law focused legal issues, including application of case law and criminal law principles
- Compose and present arguments in the style of a skeleton argument and moot
- Begin to think critically about legal scenarios
- Begin to engage in reflective practices and use these to inform their legal learning
Syllabus
- Introduction to module - ice-breakers, team-building, logic puzzles. What is law? What does law mean to you? What is it for? Explanation of the structure of the module and what will be covered. Introduction of moot scenario - to be assessed at the end of week 2. Introduction to legal research skills.
- Brief intro to English Legal System & statute-making. Statute-destruction exercise, followed by statute-building exercise. Brief intro to case law and legal precedent, demonstrated through cases on nervous shock and right to life
- Law and morals/ethics - discussion of scenarios eg: theoretical, medical, HR - Speluncan Explorers case
- Introduction to foundations of criminal law – actus reus, mens rea, causation with opportunity to apply to case scenario and critically consider the offence of gross negligence manslaughter, with the opportunity to practise presentation skills
- Session focusing on law of homicide with introduction of materials that support the moot assessment, and introduction to court process and etiquette
- Session focusing on sentencing – critical engagement with sentencing with a focus on socio-legal analysis, alternatives and interactive sentencing exercise
- Session focusing on international criminal justice – students are encouraged to reflect on criminal justice approaches in their home countries and compare to UK examples. Refresh of court etiquette.
- Presentation of moots (final assessment). Feedback and closing of module
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| On-line Learning | 1 | 15.00 | 15.00 |
| Visit | 1 | 10.00 | 10.00 |
| Fieldwork | 1 | 8.00 | 8.00 |
| Seminar | 8 | 3.00 | 24.00 |
| Private study hours | 43.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 57.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
15 hours preparatory VLE work before the module starts. This will include links to useful reading and AV materials as well as legal problem scenarios which address common areas of dispute.43 hours private study during module:
- Preparation of moot
- Basic reading for class preparation
- Reflective log for assessment
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Ongoing assessment during seminars.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Presentation | Moot - The Moot will be marked on an individual basis. Each moot will have two to four participants and will last approximately 25 minutes. | 50.00 |
| Reflective log | 500 words | 40.00 |
| Written Work | Skeleton argument to underpin verbal moot presentation. Template is provided for students to fill in with the content of their argument. | 10.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 20/06/2024 15:44:45
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