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LAW20400

Academic Year 2022/2023

Criminal Offences and Defences (LAW20400)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Mark Coen
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module builds on Law20390 to examine in detail the catalogue of criminal offences and the general defences which may apply in respect of those offences. It covers the substantive crimes of homicide, sexual offences, offences against the person, offences against property and offences of dishonesty. It then turns to consider possible exemptions from liability in relation to matters such as provocation, necessity, legitimate defence, insanity, diminished responsibility, mistake, duress and other factors which may either justify an action or mitigate liability.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module students will be able to:

1. Describe the substantive criminal law in relation to specific offences and defences;
2. Discuss the considerations of principle and policy which have shaped the development of these offences and defences; and
3. Analyse factual situations to assess what criminal charges may appropriately be brought and what defences may be available in respect of such charges.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

4
Autonomous Student Learning

90
Total

118

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The course will have 2-hour lectures
Reading lists and tutorial sheets will be posted up on Brightspace during the course

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Co-requisite:
LAW20390 - Criminal Liability

Incompatibles:
LAW20180 - Criminal Law, LAW41900 - Advanced Criminal Law 2


 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Examination: End of trimester, closed book examination 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

100

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group/class feedback will be provided

Name Role
Patrick Flynn Tutor
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