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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Criminal Law |
| Unit code |
LAWD10014 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
C/4
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Bibbings |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
This course introduces general principles of criminal liability alongside study of particular offences. Topics include: the main concepts and principles which govern the construction of criminal liability – conduct, fault, causation, complicity, defences to criminal liability; homicide; non-fatal offences; inchoate offences; offences of dishonesty.
Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit a successful student will be able to:
- When presented with a set of facts:
- identify the criminal law issues arising from those facts;
- cite relevant case law and statutory authority;
- explain how that authority applies to the issues raised by the facts, or how the facts may be distinguished
- draw a reasoned conclusion as to how those issues may be resolved.
- When presented with a proposition on an aspect of criminal law:
- present arguments for and against the proposition, citing relevant authorities and the views of other writers, and assessing the weight of their arguments;
- cite judicial and statutory authorities which support or rebut the proposition;
- examine any relevant reform proposals;
- draw a reasoned conclusion as to whether you agree or disagree with the proposition.
- State the law accurately
- Apply legal principles to problem case scenarios
- Think critically about ways in which the law could be reformed.
Teaching Information
30 x 50 minute lectures and 8 x 50 minute tutorials.
Assessment Information
2 formative assessments: 1 x 1,000 word coursework and 1 x 1 hour exam in the January Examination Period.
Formative assessments do not count towards final mark and can be optional.
1 summative assessment: 1 x 3 hour exam in the Summer Examination Period.
Summative assessments do count towards final mark.
The assessments will assess all of the intended learning outcomes for this unit.
Reading and References
- J. Herring, Criminal Law: Text, Cases and Materials (OUP 7th edition 2016)
- J. Horder, Ashworth’s Principles of Criminal Law (OUP 8th edition 2016)
- D. Ormerod and K. Laird, Smith and Hogan’s Text, Cases and Materials on Criminal Law (OUP 11th edition 2014)
- A.P. Simester, J.R. Spencer, F. Stark, G.R. Sullivan and G.J. Virgo, Simester and Sullivan’s Criminal Law: Theory and Doctrine (Hart 6th edition 2016)
- N. Lacey, C. Wells & O. Quick Reconstructing Criminal Law: Text and Materials (CUP 4th edition 2010)
- P. Glazebrook (ed), Blackstone's Statutes on Criminal Law 2016-2017 (OUP 2016)
