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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2004 - 2005

Module Title Criminal Law
Module Code LG325
School School of Law & Government

Online Module Resources

Level 3 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Module Aims
The aims of this module are: - To acquaint students with the origins and purpose of criminal law; - To teach students the elements of a crime; - To teach students the common law rules and legislation regulating the criminal law; and, - To teach students how to use the principles of the criminal law in determining criminal liability and defending a criminal charge.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, students must: - Appreciate the function of criminal law in society; - Know and understand the basic principles of criminal law; - Know and understand the rules of criminal law and be able to demonstrate a knowledge of relevant case law and legislation; and, - Be able to solve problems with reference to case law and legislation.

Indicative Time Allowances
Hours
Lectures 0
Tutorials 0
Laboratories 0
Seminars 0
Independent Learning Time 75

Total 75
Placements
Assignments
NOTE
Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus
- Basic principles: Origins and Purpose of Criminal Law; Definition of a crime; Elements of Crime: Actus Reus and Mens Rea; Crimes of Strict Liability; Degrees of participation and association in criminal conduct; - Offences against the person: Murder; Manslaughter; Infanticide; Assault; Rape, aggravated sexual assault and other sexual offences; Abduction; False Imprisonment; - Offences against property; Larceny; Robbery; Obtaining by False Pretences; Handling stolen property; Burglary; Aggravated Burglary; Embezzlement; Conversion; Forgery; Arson; Criminal Damage; - Defences; Insanity; Intoxication; Automatism; Self-Defence; Infancy; Mistake; Duress; Consent; Necessity; - Offences against the Administration of Justice; Perjury; Contempt of Court; - Offences of a Public Nature; Offences against the State; Offences against Public Order.
Assessment
Continuous Assessment30% Examination Weight70%
Indicative Reading List
- Charleton, Bolger and McDermott, Irish Criminal Law, Dublin: Butterworths, 1999 - McAuley and McCutcheon, Criminal Liability, Round Hall, Dublin, 2000 - Hanly, An Introduction to Irish Criminal Law, Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1999 - Smith and Hogan, Criminal Law, 9th edition, London: Butterworths, 1999 - Smith and Hogan, Criminal Law: Cases and Materials, 7th edition, London: Butterworths, 1999 - OMalley, Sexual Offences: Law, Policy and Punishment, Dublin: Round Hall/Sweet and Maxwell, 1996 - McCutcheon, The Larceny Act 1916, Dublin: The Round Hall Press, 1988 - McCutcheon, Larceny Act 1990, Irish Current Law Statutes - McAuley, Insanity, Psychiatry and Criminal Responsibility, Dublin: The Round Hall Press, 1993 - Irish Criminal Law Journal, Dublin: The Round Hall Press, 1991 to present
Programme or List of Programmes
EPLBA in Economics, Politics & Law
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