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LLM Criminal Justice module details

Block 1: Critical issues in Criminal Investigations

In this module, you will be introduced to key issues concerning the investigation of crime and a range of critiques relating to them. You will examine and systematically explore the purpose and role of criminal investigation, focusing on legal and policy contexts. The module also considers sociological and psychological contexts, especially those involving concerning human behaviours of both those involved in criminal activity and those involved in gathering evidence from victims, witnesses and suspects and how this is regulated by law. There is also coverage of criminal investigation processes and methods.

In addition, you will gain insight and uncover the challenges concerning decision-making that confront both investigation and legal practitioners when investigating crime and resolving cases. You will also explore how some crimes are solved, whereas others are not, how miscarriages of justice can and do emerge from flawed criminal investigations and how the law can respond to this.

Block 2: Critical Issues in the Criminal Trial

This module introduces the adversarial trial as an entity for establishing the guilt or innocence of suspects in the criminal trial and achieving justice for the victims of crime. You will critically examine how the rules of procedure and evidence, as well as the actions of legal professionals within the justice system, seek to achieve justice. You will then evaluate the efficacy of the trial process as a means for doing so.

The module includes the theoretical underpinnings of the trial process and the impact of criminal justice policy upon the efficacy of the criminal trial as a means of delivering justice. The question of how a ‘fair trial’ is constructed in law and by the legal system is also analysed.

Block 3: Critical Issues in Substantive Criminal Law

This module introduces important issues in criminal law and a range of critiques concerning them. It will allow you to explore how behaviour is criminalised and how the criminal justice system regulates harmful behaviour.

The module examines how policy balances respecting the autonomy of all individuals, including defendants, whilst protecting the welfare of all its citizens. Finally, you will critically evaluate how the mechanism of criminal law is used to achieve policy objectives and examine its efficacy in doing so.

Block 4: Critical Issues in Sentencing and Punishment

This module introduces the advanced scholarship of penology and explores how this impacts upon modern sentencing practice. You will examine modern sentencing policy and its formulation, critically evaluating its theoretical underpinnings and assessing its efficacy in achieving justice for the victims of crime, defendants and society as a whole. 

Block 5:  Dissertation in Criminal Justice

This final 60-credit module bridges a Postgraduate Diploma and an LLM. It has two parts: researching a topic and producing work that draws on the research to represent an advanced account of a particular area of law associated with the programme title. 

The dissertation is studied independently with the assistance of a supervisor and is a chance for the student to pursue a relevant area of law of particular interest academically. The dissertation requires you to practice a range of skills developed over the course of the programme: researching and critically reviewing national and international literature, applying theoretical frameworks, research design and ethics, data collection and analysis, research writing and dissemination. 

You will be orientated towards high-level independent study based on the preparatory work conducted in research methods workshops. These workshops emphasise developing research skills that will equip the student with the expertise to undertake relevant and topical research allied to the dissertation. The core material covers:

  • Critiquing academic and practitioner research from a range of published sources.
  • Developing tools and techniques for writing a critical literature review.
  • Methodological considerations.
  • Research design.
  • Research ethics.
  • Evaluating and communicating research. 

You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor. Individual supervisors will work closely with you on a one-to-one basis to set goals, monitor progress and provide general and specific advice on research strategy, framing questions and scholarly writing.

You will be able to develop the theoretical and practical understanding learned throughout the programme as well as independent study and research skills, critical analysis and the ability to evaluate. The nature of a sustained and in-depth study can prove a valuable resource for future employment or further study.