LLM Criminal Justice and Criminal Law

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Laws)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the programme students should have shown evidence of being able:
- to demonstrate detailed, specialist knowledge of concepts and issues that are at the forefront of contemporary understandings of crime, criminal justice, criminology and criminal law both domestic and international;
- to exhibit a sound understanding of and competence in the exercise of socio-legal research methods and skills;
- to be a proactive, self-directed scholar;
- to think critically and analytically about criminal justice policy, criminal justice practice and principles of domestic and international criminal law;
- to present their arguments in a clear, cogent and well-evidenced manner, both orally and in writing;
- to produce a lengthy piece of written work (the dissertation). The dissertation will afford students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate: their ability to work as an independent and proactive scholar; an in depth knowledge and critical understanding of their chosen subject; their socio-legal research skills; and their written presentation skills.

Transferable (key) skills

LLM students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- to read, understand, synthesise and evaluate a wide range of source materials (e.g. policy documents, practice guidelines, academic texts, etc);
- a sound understanding of and competence in the exercise of legal research methods and skills;
- proactive, independent learning skills;
- critical and analytical thinking skills;
- advanced writing skills;
- the ability to make an evidence-based case in a persuasive manner both orally and in writing.

Assessment

Achievement for the LLM will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the programme and will involve the achievement of the students in:
- demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to criminal justice / criminal law issues;
- drawing on a range of perspectives as presented in the academic literature, policy documents etc on criminal justice and legal topics;
- evaluating received opinion;
- considering the merits and weaknesses of different sources of data;
- make sound judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made by those with a particular, possibly biased, viewpoint.