Module description
We study not only what the criminal law is, but what it ought to be. We will look at the General Part of the Criminal and a number of offences found in the special part of the criminal law. We will also consider the harm and offence principles to determine what ought to be a crime and other selected topics.
Module content
The general nature of criminal law; the various actus reus and mens rea requirements; the principal offences against the person; the principal property offences; the inchoate offences; the liability of accomplices; the defences
In addition, formative coursework is set during the academic year and midsessional exam takes place in January. These are for practice purposes and do not count towards your final mark of the module.
Assessment details
Examination (70 %); Essay (30%)
Teaching pattern
Lectures; Tutorials and Seminars (2 x 1 hour lecture per week; 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week; 2 x 2 hour research seminar per term).
Suggested reading list
You are not expected to know any law before you begin at King's, however, should you wish to do some pre-reading the following texts are recommended for this module. Please do not purchase textbooks for your modules until you have begun your studies as they are subject to change.
- P. Simester et al, Simester and Sullivan’s Criminal Law: Theory and Doctrine (6th edition, Hart: 2016)
- Horder, Ashworth’s Principles of Criminal Law (8th edition, OUP: 2016)