| Module Title |
Criminal Law |
| Module Code |
LAW1026 (ITS: LG325) |
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Faculty |
Humanities & Social Sciences |
School |
Law & Government |
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NFQ level |
8 |
Credit Rating |
5 |
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Description
This module aims:
- to examine the origins and purpose of criminal law;
- to consider the elements of a crime (actus reus, mens rea);
- to explore the common law rules and legislation regulating the criminal law, with an investigation of the context in which such rules have developed;
- to develop the necessary skills to determine criminal liability, construct defences and critically analyse the criminal law.
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Learning Outcomes
1. Outline the function of criminal law in society;
2. Recount the basic principles of criminal law, and the context of their development and application;
3. Describe and apply the rules of criminal law;
4. Solve realistic problems with reference to case law and legislation;
5. Critique the development of Irish criminal law in relation to particular offences and defences.
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| Workload | Full time hours per semester | | Type | Hours | Description |
|---|
| Lecture | 24 | No Description | | Independent Study | 76 | Reading for lectures | | Independent Study | 25 | Exam Revision |
| Total Workload: 125 |
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| Section Breakdown | | CRN | 10892 | Part of Term | Semester 1 | | Coursework | 0% | Examination Weight | 100% | | Grade Scale | 40PASS | Pass Both Elements | N | | Resit Category | RC1 | Best Mark | N | | Module Co-ordinator | Yvonne Daly | Module Teacher | Lynn Clarke-Hearty, Tanya Ní Mhuirthile |
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| Assessment Breakdown |
| Type | Description | % of total | Assessment Date |
|---|
| Formal Examination | End-of-Semester Final Examination | 100% | End-of-Semester |
| Reassessment Requirement Type |
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment
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Pre-requisite |
None
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Co-requisite |
None |
| Compatibles |
None |
| Incompatibles |
None |
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Introduction to the Criminal Justice System – origins and purpose of criminal law; evolving and changing definitions of criminal behaviour; brief introduction to criminological theories;
Criminal Liability – burden and standard of proof; elements of a crime (actus reus, mens rea); secondary liability, including common design.
Inchoate offences – attempt, incitement, conspiracy; defences to inchoate offences
General defences – infancy, intoxication, insanity, automatism, self-defence, provocation, duress, necessity, entrapment, mistake, consent
Offences against the Person (Fatal) – Murder and manslaughter – critical analysis of murder rates in Ireland
Offences against the Person (Non-Fatal) – Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997
assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment, syringe attacks – societal influences on development of non-fatal offences
Sexual Offences – sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, rape, rape under section 4 – critical perspectives on sexual offences
Offences against Property – Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001
theft, robbery, burglary, handling stolen property, criminal damage
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Indicative Reading List
Books:
- Liz Campbell,Shane Kilcommins,Catherine OSullivan,Alan Cusack: 2021, Criminal Law in Ireland, 978-1-911611-40-0
- 2020: Charleton and McDermott's Criminal Law and Evidence, 9781526518187, 1707014
- 2012: Criminal Law, Round Hall, 978185800585, 1707015
- 2009: Criminal Law in Ireland – Cases and Commentary, Clarus Press, Dublin, 1707017
- 1999: Criminal Law, Butterworths, Dublin, 1707018
- 2009: Criminal Law: Cases and Materials, 10th, OUP, London, 1707019
- 2003: Reconstructing Criminal Law, 3rd, CUP, 1707020
- 2003: , Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, Thomson/Round Hall, Dublin, 1707021
- 2009: Principles of Criminal Law, 6th, OUP, 1707022
- 2002: Criminal Procedure, Thomson / Round Hall, Dublin, 1707023
- 2002: Criminal Justice in Ireland, Institute of Public Administration, Dublin, 1707024
- 2008: Criminal Law, 12th, OUP, 1707025
- 2001: Crime, Reason and History: A Critical Introduction to Criminal Law, 2nd, CUP, 1707026
- 2001: Crime Control in Ireland: The Politics of Intolerance, Cork University Press, 1707027
- 2000: Criminal Liability, Round Hall, Dublin, 1707028
- 2000: Feminist Perspectives on Criminal Law, Routledge, UK, 1707029
- 1998: Crime and Poverty in Ireland, Round Hall, Dublin, 1707030
- 1996: Sexual Offences: Law, Policy and Punishment, Round Hall / Sweet and Maxwell, Dublin, 1707031
- 1996: Criminal Chaos, Round Hall, Dublin, 1707032
- 1993: Crime and Crisis in Ireland, Cork University Press,
Articles:
None |
Other Resources
- 1: Reports, Law Reform Commission Consultation Papers and Reports on criminal law issues, e.g. Report on Homicide: Murder and Involuntary Manslaughter (January 2008), Consultation Paper on Legitimate Defence (November 2006),
- 416742: 1, Electronic Sources, Justis, WestLaw IE, FirstLaw, LexisNexis, www.bailii.org, www.irishstatutebook.ie, www.lawreform.ie, www.courts.ie, www.echr.coe.int,
- 416743: 1, Moodle, Lecture notes and links to relevant journal articles, case-law and websites will be available on the DCU Moodle page for this module.,
- 416744: 1, Other Journals, Students should also regularly refer to relevant journals, such as the Irish Criminal Law Journal, the Judicial Studies Institute Journal, and the Dublin University Law Journal,
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