1. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the theoretical principles underlying criminal law

Faculty of Business and Law

Assignment Brief

Module Title:		Criminal Law			Assignment Number		Resit n. 1
Module Code:		280CLS			Assignment Title		Problem-based question
	Assignment Weighting		30%
Submission Time and Place:		Submission through Turnitin ONLY

Assessment Information

This assignment is designed to assess learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the theoretical principles underlying criminal law;

2. Utilise a wide range of specialist skills in order to analyse and evaluate the principles of criminal law and relevant case law as applied in practice;

3. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate the principles of criminal law and formulate responses to various hypothetical scenarios.

This assignment is an individual assignment.

Please write a paper including the following elements:

1)     Problem question (max 250 words): Please draft a problem-based scenario concerning an imaginary case of murder incorporating the legal problems addressed by the courts in the following cases:

R v Cunningham (Anthony Barry) [1982] AC 566

R v Clinton (Jon-Jacques) [2013] QB 1

R v Blaue (Robert Konrad) (1975) 61 Cr App R 271

Your task is not to repeat the facts of the cases but to apply the ratio from the relevant cases to an imaginary set of facts that you will create yourself.

2)     Solution (max 750 words): Please draft a solution to your problem question applying the legal principles employed by the courts in the above-cited cases and using, if necessary, any other relevant case or statutes.

Criteria for Assessment

When marking the coursework particular regard will be given to the following:

Contents

• Knowledge and understanding of the relevant law
• Identification of relevant issues
• Identification and selection, through appropriate research, of relevant sources and materials
• Ability to explain and comment the relevant law and related theories

Structure

• Clear and logical organisation of the paper
• Ability to construct logical and coherent arguments

Presentation

• Appropriate use of legal language
• Accurate spelling, grammar and sentence construction
• Ability to write within set word limits (see below).

Word Count

The total word count is 1,000 words. This is both a minimum and maximum limit: you should aim at writing approximately 1,000 words in total.

Of these 1000 words, no more than 250 should be dedicated to the case-based scenario, while the remaining 750 or more, if your scenario is shorter, should be dedicated to the solution.

There will be a penalty of a deduction of 10% of the mark for work exceeding the word limit by 10% or more

How to submit your assessment

The assessment must be submitted by 18:00 on 6 April 2020. No paper copies are required. You can access the submission link through the module web.

• Your coursework will be given a zero mark if you do not submit a copy through Turnitin. Please take care to ensure that you have fully submitted your work.
• All work submitted after the submission deadline without a valid and approved reason (see below) will be given a mark of zero.
• Extensions of up to two calendar weeks can only be given for genuine "force majeure" and medical reasons, not for bad planning of your time. Please note that theft, loss, or failure to keep a back-up file, are not valid reasons. The extension must be applied for on or before the submission date. You can apply for an extension by submitting an Examination/ Coursework Deferral/Extension Application Form. Application Forms along with the supporting evidence should go to the relevant Student Support Office. For a longer delay in submission a student may apply for a deferral. 
• Students MUST keep a copy and/or an electronic file of their assignment.
• Checks will be made on your work using anti-plagiarism software and approved plagiarism checking websites.

GUIDELINES AND BACKGROUND TO THIS ASSIGNMENT

The University wants you to do your best. However, we know that sometimes events happen which mean that you can’t submit your coursework by the deadline – these events should be beyond your control.  If this happens, you can apply for an extension to your deadline for up to two weeks, or if you need longer, you can apply for a deferral, which takes you to the next assessment period (for example, to the resit period following the main Assessment Boards). You must apply before the deadline.

You will find information about the process and what is or is not considered to be an event beyond your control at https://share.coventry.ac.uk/students/Registry/Pages/Deferrals-and-Extension.aspx

Plagiarism

As part of your study you will be involved in carrying out research and using this when writing up your coursework. It is important that you correctly acknowledge someone else’s writing, thoughts or ideas and that you do not attempt to pass this off as your own work.  Doing so is known as plagiarism.  It is not acceptable to copy from another source without acknowledging that it is someone else’s writing or thinking. This includes using paraphrasing as well as direct quotations. You are expected to correctly cite and reference the works of others. The Centre for Academic Writing provides documents to help you get this right. If you are unsure, please visit www.coventry.ac.uk/caw.  You can also check your understanding of academic conduct by completing the Good Academic Practice quiz available on Moodle.

Moodle includes a plagiarism detection system and assessors are experienced enough to recognise plagiarism when it occurs. Copying another student’s work, using previous work of your own or copying large sections from a book or the internet are examples of plagiarism and carry serious consequences.

Return of Marked Work

You can expect to have marked work returned to you within 15 working days for level 1 and 2, and 10 working days for level 3 and M level. If for any reason there is a delay you will be kept informed. Marks and feedback will be provided online. As always, marks will have been internally moderated only, and will therefore be provisional; your mark will be formally agreed later in the year once the external examiner has completed his / her review.