CRIMINAL LAW II - 2021/2

Module Overview

This module builds upon the principles of criminal liability outlined in Criminal Law I by exploring a selection of substantive criminal offences and any relevant defences. It develops a holistic view of criminal liability and seeks to fulfil the requirements of a Qualifying Law Degree with regard to criminal law.

Module provider

School of Law

Module Leader

FINCH Emily (Schl of Law)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Criminal Law I

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Non-fatal offences against the person


• Rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault


• Age-related sexual offences


• Property offences: theft, burglary, robbery, fraud and making off without payment


• The defences of duress by threats, duress of circumstances, necessity and self-defence.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

The alternative assessment for the group activity is a one-hour unseen examination. 

Assessment Strategy

There are three elements to the assessment of this module which collectively address all the learning outcomes of the module.

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate they have understood key principles and policies of criminal law and that they are able to apply the law to a range of factual situations (1500-word problem question and online MCQs). It also evaluates the extent to which students have understood the factors that lead to change within the criminal law and the way that change is implemented as well as the theoretical justifications for the use of criminal law (group activity). 

There will be opportunities for students to receive formative feedback on all three components of the assessment. There will be online MCQs available after every lecture and feedback is provided immediately after the test is completed. Students will produce a written answer to a problem question and will receive verbal feedback from their module leader about their performance in a one-to-one meeting the following week. Two tutorials will be focused on the group activity with students having an opportunity to obtain feedback on their plans for the group activity and their understanding of the factors that justify changes in the criminal law. 

Students who do not achieve an overall pass mark for the module will need to resit the failed element. In relation to the group activity, this will take the form of an unseen examination as it is not practical to replicate the initial assessment in the LSA. 

 

Module aims

• Examine specific criminal offences and relevant defences, identify their elements and explore their definitions.
• Outline relevant statutory provisions and case law.
• Encourage a methodical and legalistic evaluation of criminal liability.
• To identify deficiencies with the existing law and to evaluate proposals for reform in the context of relevant theoretical frameworks.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy encourages students to engage with principles and policies of criminal law and to appreciate the real-world impact of the criminal law.

Lectures will introduce the legal framework of each topic, setting out the key statutory provisions and case law and outlining key policy considerations. There will be emphasis on core legal skills during the lectures, with worked examples of problem-solving and the integration of current events wherever possible to emphasis the law-in-action approach of the module. 

Each topic will be explored in greater depth in the two-hour tutorials where students will engage in problem-solving activities and explore gaps in the law through a series of activities focused on the changing boundaries of criminal law. There will be a strong emphasis on group work during the tutorials as well as opportunities to develop presentation skills. Preparation will be expected for tutorials but students will also be given questions to answer and activities to complete during the two-hour sessions.

The learning and teaching methods would typically comprise:

• 11 x 2 hour substantive subject-specific lectures


• Formative feedback in tutorials and on written work


• 7 x 2 hour seminars, as described above

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: LAW1030

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.