Postgraduate Course: Philosophical Foundations of Criminal Law (LAWS11265)
Course Outline
| School | School of Law |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Law |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course will introduce students to the philosophical approaches that have been employed by legal scholars to explain, justify and criticise the doctrines of the substantive criminal law. It will focus in particular on how we should understand and resolve certain fundamental controversies about the criminal law's general part. Topics to be covered will include the nature and scope of criminal responsibility; culpability and mens rea, including the proper role of concepts such as intention, recklessness and negligence; the role of harm and causation in the criminal law, in such areas as attempt and strict or constructive liability; and when criminal conduct might be justified or excused. More generally, the course will give students a chance to develop their analytical thinking about doctrinal issues, and introduce them to some important questions in moral philosophy. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Learn enabled: No |
Quota: 25 |
|
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
16/09/2013 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
|
| Additional Notes |
|
| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Understand and critically analyse core concepts of criminal law, such as the nature and scope of responsibility, culpability, mens rea and actus reus elements, and defences.
2. Apply these concepts in novel situations.
3. Critically assess proposals for the development of the criminal law.
4. Demonstrate development of key research, communication and personal effectiveness skills:
o the ability to synthesise and communicate information and ideas effectively in written and oral form
o the ability to present to others research and scholarly work relating to their own and foreign legal cultures
o the ability to work independently, seeking relevant advice and support when necessary
o the ability to work constructively as a member of a group or team, to assert leadership or follow instructions effectively
|
Assessment Information
| Essay (80%) and case note (20%). |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
This course is a core (but optional) course for the LLM in Criminal Law and the LLM in Criminal Justice. It is optional for students on other masters programmes within the School of Law. |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Research skills; oral and written communication skills; problem-solving and critical analysis skills; teamwork skills |
| Reading list |
To be distributed in advance of seminars |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
The course will consist of ten two-hour seminars |
| Keywords | Criminalisation, criminal law |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Andrew Cornford
Tel: (0131 6)51 4085
Email: A.Cornford@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Douglas Thompson
Tel: (0131 6)50 2022
Email: D.Thompson@ed.ac.uk |
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