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LAW27320

Academic Year 2024/2025

Criminal Law (LAW27320)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Saoirse Enright
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will examine the general principles of substantive criminal law. The focus of this module is threefold. It concentrates on the ingredients of criminal liability, the catalogue of criminal offences, and the general defences which may apply in respect of those offences. In particular, this module examines topics such as the criminal law in context, the purpose and function of the criminal law and the elements of criminal offences i.e. the actus reus, mens rea and causation. In terms of offences, it considers homicide offences, non-fatal offences against the person, sexual offences, and offences against property. This module also deals with defences to the imposition of criminal liability in relation to matters such as provocation, necessity, legitimate defence, insanity, diminished responsibility, mistake, duress, intoxication and other factors which may either justify an action or mitigate liability.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module students should be able to:
● Describe and analyse the general principles of criminal liability;
● Describe and distinguish between different offences and defences;
● Discuss the considerations of principle and policy which have shaped the
development of these offences and defences;
● Use legal databases and online resources to find relevant case law and legislation;
● Read and analyse case law and legislation;
● Apply substantive knowledge of criminal law to hypothetical factual scenarios;
● Engage with critiques of Irish criminal law;
● Suggest and appraise reforms of the law relating to issues covered in the module.

Indicative Module Content:

Topics include an overview of the Irish legal system, elements of criminal offences, homicide offences and introduction to defences.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

48
Autonomous Student Learning

184
Total

232

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
In-class discussion
Problem-solving exercises
Independent reading of case law and secondary literature by students

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (Take-Home): 1,500 word take home assignment Week 7 Graded No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): Two hour closed book examination answering essay and problem questions End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
70
 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

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
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