CORPORATE AND WHITE COLLAR CRIME - 2027/8
Module code: LAW3141
Module provider
Surrey Law School
Module Leader
SARCH Alexander (Law)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 6
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 92
Lecture Hours: 22
Seminar Hours: 6
Guided Learning: 15
Captured Content: 15
Module Availability
Semester 2
Module content
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| School-timetabled exam/test | In - class Test | 50 |
| Oral exam or presentation | Oral Presentation/Viva | 50 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
Module aims
- Explain certain central criminal offences committed within the commercial and business environment, whether committed by individuals or by organisations
- Appreciate current practical issues and problems related to enforcement of corporate and white-collar criminal law
- Explore which elements and definitional issues might vary within the same offence in other major English-speaking jurisdictions, and provide students with the ability to debate the pros and cons of different offence formulations
- Evaluate and critique criminal liability rules used in corporate settings, particularly the extent to which they are in tension with traditional limiting principles of criminalisation, theories of punishment or mainstream policy aims
- Explore, and develop students' ability to construct, realistic law reform proposals or solutions that aim to solve or improve problems within the law in this area
- Analyse factors tending to contribute to criminal misconduct in corporate contexts, with a particular emphasis on the organisational factors and incentives, as well as organisational obligations to prevent the occurrence of corporate crime
- Appreciate and assess suitability of alternatives to criminal liability in response to certain forms of employee misconduct or corporate harms
- Begin to develop a comparative perspective, drawing where appropriate on US legal practice to better understand the UK approach to criminal enforcement in corporate settings
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Identify, explain and apply the legislative provisions relevant to the offences covered in the module, as interpreted by relevant caselaw | KCP |
| 002 | Demonstrate a critical understanding of which elements and definitional issues might vary between different versions of analogous offences in other major English-speaking jurisdictions, and ability to debate the pros and cons of different offence formulations | KC |
| 003 | Show understanding of problems or limitations with the use of the criminal law in corporate contexts, as well as appreciating alternatives to criminalisation that might fruitfully be considered | KCP |
| 004 | Evidence an awareness of psychological, social and organisational factors that tend to contribute to crime in corporate contexts, and show the ability assess the efficacy of corporate compliance programmes to effectively prevent corporate crime in light of such factors | KC |
| 005 | Develop critical understanding of the theoretical, moral and policy grounds for a range of white collar and corporate criminal offences, and demonstrate the ability to assess their justifiability using applicable theoretical frameworks | KC |
| 006 | Propose and defend realistic law reform proposals or solutions that aim to solve or make progress on problems within this area of law | KC |
| 007 | Show an awareness of, and ability to use arguments based on evidence and principle to engage with, debates about how corporate crime should be effectively combatted, how offences should be formulated, and how punishment should be imposed in this area | KC |
| 008 | Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate arguments offered in favor of expansive forms of criminal liability in corporate settings, such as consequentialist (harm reduction) arguments, retributive arguments or other policy considerations | CPT |
| 009 | Development of creative thinking, communication skills, independent research skills and effective discussion and debate of timely issues in corporate criminal law | PT |
| 010 | Produce and engage in high quality persuasive writing and associated oral presentation/discussion | PT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
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: LAW3141
Other information
The Law School Law aims to develop graduates with strength in
Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience.
Employability
The module provides knowledge of key legal rules and judicial principles related to corporate and white collar crime. Students develop problem-solving skills based on authentic professional scenarios and structure analyses using primary and secondary sources. The examination tests engagement with complex facts and open-ended evaluative, analytical or discursive issues. The assessments require students to exercise judgement and self-determine structure, strategy and argumentation. The module fosters employability through topics key to business and transferable analytical and communication skills.
Digital Capabilities
Students engage with material online through the Surreylearn VLE and legal databases provided by the University library. Digital technology is used to prepare and submit assessments and aid workshop preparations. Technologies used to commit white collar crime also relevant.
Global and Cultural Capabilities
While focused on English law, core principles allow legal understanding applicable across jurisdictions. Concepts such as mens rea, fraud, insider trading, strict liability and corporate compliance operate internationally. The module takes a cross-jurisdictional look at global topics, contributing to a global digital society. Workshops require students to collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds.
Resourcefulness and Resilience
The module encourages active learning through participation, discussion and reflective practice. Students complete essays, undertake self-assessment and defend their choices. Group exercises build resourcefulness by requiring students to adapt strategies in real time. Formative assessment provides a safe space to learn from errors, building confidence. Students extend skills across the programme, developing as independent and resourceful learners.
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law (Law, Environment and Sustainability Pathway) LLB (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Law LLB (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Law (Philosophy, Politics and Law Pathway) LLB (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Law (Law and Technology Pathway) LLB (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Law with Criminology LLB (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Law with International Relations LLB (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
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 2027/8 academic year.