PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
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AWARD and ROUTE TITLE / LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology
INTERMEDIATE AWARD TITLES / Ordinary Degree in Law with Criminology
Diploma of Higher Education in Law with Criminology
Certificate of Higher Education in Law with Criminology
Name of the Teaching Institution / Sheffield Hallam University
Faculty and Department / Development & Society, Law, Criminology & Community Justice
Mode(s) of Attendance
(eg. FT/PT/SW/DL) / F/T and P/T
UCAS CODE / M100
Professional/Statutory/Regulatory Body Recognising this Programme / The Solicitors Regulation Authority
The Bar Standards Board
QAA Subject Benchmark Statement or other relevant external reference point / Law Benchmarking Statement
Draft Criminology Benchmarks (British Society of Criminology)
Date of Validation / 6th April 2011

1PROGRAMME AIMS

Aims

To provide students with a knowledge and understanding of law and criminology as two academic disciplines and to satisfy the Academic Stage of Training for the General Council of the Bar and the Law Society of England and Wales

To provide students with the knowledge and skills required to prepare them for graduate employment in law and other fields

To enable students to engage with critical dialogue, with the evaluation of information and research, and with analytical reasoning.

To provide students with opportunities to develop awareness of their own values, analyse different value positions and appreciate how alternative values impact upon rival interpretations of theory/evidence.

To enable the development of a diverse range of approaches to learning which will encourage reflection and greater autonomy within the learning process.

To provide students with a learning environment which is responsive to emergent themes occurring both within the academy and across contemporary society.

2PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

2.1Knowledge and understanding covered within the Programme. By the end of the programme you will be able to:

Demonstrate a firm understanding of the basic concepts, values, principles and rules of the English Legal System and EU law (Law Benchmark Statement 4.1, 4.4, 4.3 & 4.6)

Demonstrate an ability to identify key research issues and relevant primary and secondary sources of information;(Law Benchmark Statement 4.9)

Explain, evaluate, analyse and apply the contemporary social and political contexts of law, criminological philosophies, crime orientated institutions and criminal justice processes. (Law Benchmark Statement 4.2, 4.3 & 4.5)

Explain, evaluate, analyse and apply the basic principles of social research and their relevance and application within the fields of law and criminology. (Law Benchmark Statement 4.7)

2.2 Intellectual/Subject/Professional/Key skills covered within the Programme:

by the end of the programme you will be able to

Apply and analyse legal knowledge in problem solving, to critically reflect upon and evaluate this application and to draw reasoned conclusions supported by cogent argument and legal authority (Law Benchmark Statement 4.7, 4.8, 4.15)

Demonstrate an ability to identify key research issues and relevant primary and secondary sources of information (Law Benchmark Statement 4.9, 4.17, 4.19)

Demonstrate research ability by identifying and retrieving up to date legal information using both paper and electronic sources (Law Benchmark Statement 4.9, 4.17, 4.19)

Communicate effectively orally and in writing, using language and legal terminology accurately and effectively (Law Benchmark Statement 4.10, 4.16)

Employ skills of critical awareness and analysis, including critical self reflection and evaluation, identification of strengths and weaknesses and development of strategies for improvement organise and prioritise in order to meet professional standards and enhance employability demonstrate an awareness of professional ethics and develop and value professional competencies in order to make a meaningful contribution to society (Law Benchmark Statement 4.11, 4.12,)

Demonstrate an ability to act independently or as part of a team in planning and managing tasks with limited guidance in areas in which they have studied (Law Benchmark Statement 4.13, 4.14 & 4.20)

Demonstrate an ability to make relevant use of numerical and statistical information derived from primary sources (Law Benchmark 4.18)

3LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT

The Department of Law, Criminology and Community Justice is committed to providing an outstanding and inspiring learning experience, which promotes high standards in all areas of learning, teaching and assessment (LTA). Informed by the Faculty of Development and Society Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy 2009/10-2013/14, the Department will deliver a comprehensive curriculum of study, where innovation and enterprise are central to the learning experience of students.

As outlined in the Faculty LTA Strategy, there are four key LTA enhancement themes. These are:

  • Effective and efficient assessment and feedback practice;
  • Ensuring that students are well equipped for the world of work;
  • Supporting student transition, progression and achievement;
  • Preparing students for a global world.

These four themes demonstrate our commitment to inclusive practice and diversity in relation to curriculum design, development and delivery.

3.1The approach to Learning and Teaching within the Programme

The success of the Programme, in its approach and delivery of learning and teaching, is the availability of highly motivated, knowledgeable and creative staff across the Department. Collectively, they bring a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills that, not only, enables high quality learning of the core aspects of the discipline, but also, a range of specialist topics and areas of study.

We use a wide range of learning and teaching methods including lectures, seminars, workshops, team meetings, moots, peer learning, placement activity, visits, guest lectures etc. We adopt a student centred approach and encourage and facilitate student learner autonomy.

We make good use of new and emerging technologies in our teaching all of our modules are supported by the virtual learning environment blackboard. Some modules are supported by podcasts. In addition, students will be provided with electronic portfolio (Pebble Pad or equivalent) when they begin their studies, with a view to this being a central vehicle with which to record and evidence academic and professional development throughout the course.

Ensuring that students are well equipped for the world of work

We provide a high quality, comprehensive and supportive learning environment for all our students so that they can each achieve their full potential, both whilst they are undergraduate students and once they have graduated. We encourage deep approaches to learning that highlight the links between teaching, learning, research and employability. Specifically, we are committed to the implementation and delivery of the Faculty of Development and Society Education for Employability Strategy (e4e), 2010-2012. As part of that strategy we will:

  • Ensure that all students have the opportunity to actively engage with well structured, supported and accredited work related learning as part of their programme of study;
  • Embed high level employability-related transferable skills and attributes within the curriculum;
  • Provide all students at all levels with access to integrated and timetabled career management skills;
  • Provide all students at all levels with access to personal development planning (PDP) to support their transition to the world of work.

Providing these opportunities for students to enhance their employability for the future is a core aspect of our programme. As highlighted in the e4e Strategy, this is directly achieved through student engagement with some form of work related learning activity. However, the notion of employability goes far beyond employment and also involves a series of academic, personal and professional skills, competencies, attributes and abilities integral to success in the world of work. To achieve this we provide a blended teaching approach which includes both tutor supported and peer supported activities. These can include lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, group work, and independent study, work related learning, study abroad, e-learning, etc.

In order to embed the new e4e strategy and enhance our students' employability skills we have introduced a core 20 credit module at Level 5, Careers Development Learning. This module will be delivered in conjunction with the Careers Team. The aim of the module is to develop career management and employability skills equipping students with the ability to identify and develop their employability skills and enable them to make an effective career action plan. This module is in place of the 40 credit Level 5 Clinical Legal Education (CLE) module in the single honours award. The rationale for this difference is that Law with Criminology students are required to undertake Criminology core modules and Criminology electives and therefore there is no space in the structure to include the CLE module.

In most law modules in this award there is a clinical/practice based component which aids the students' understanding of how the law operates in practice by setting the law in context. For example in the Land Law module at Level 6 students are set the task of reviewing official copies of the title of a property from the Land Registry. In the Criminal Law module at Level 4 as part of their assessment students undertake a plea and case management hearing whereby they are required to make a short presentation submitting which charge would be the most appropriate to the case. This will aid their understanding of how criminal law works in practice. In the Criminology modules which the students take although there is not a practice based focus the modules do incorporate broader skills that link to career management skills and graduateness.

In Level 6 we have introduced a suite of work related learning electives and the students are required to select one or more of these electives. For the list of these modules see the LLB (Hons) Law structure below. An example of one of these modules is the 'Innocence Project', whereby students work in teams on a real case where a convicted prisoner is serving a sentence and he/she is maintaining his/her innocence. This equips the students with a range of skills and they develop a deep knowledge of the criminal justice system and how it works in practice.

We have excellent links with the local legal and criminal justice professions who provide assessed placements for our students, work experience opportunities, give guest lectures, advice on casework and also provide career advice. These links have also been extended internationally and we have links with lawyers (who provide placement opportunities for our students) in the United States.

Supporting student transition, progression and achievement

The teaching staff recognise and acknowledge the integral role they play in assisting students with their transition into, progression through and achievement from university life. Therefore, the use of a robust support system at every stage through the students' university experience is integral to the students' development into confident, reflective and autonomous learners. We, therefore, embed and implement systems of induction and orientation, academic tutoring, reflective and self-directed learning, academic literacy and student-centred learning approaches as integral elements of learning across all stages of the academic curriculum. This learning is supported and enhanced through the use of virtual learning technology, which more specifically involves the students' development and engagement with an e-portfolio. This e-portfolio is used as the central vehicle through which academic, personal and professional development and achievement can be recorded, evidenced, and reflected upon. The aim is for students to establish high-quality and easily maintained CVs and person specifications.

Preparing students for a global world

Preparing students for a global world is a key feature of the Faculty's internationalisation agenda. The Faculty sees internationalisation as a process of integrating an international, intercultural or global dimension into the purpose, function and delivery of our portfolio of activity. As a Programme we are committed to this agenda and have therefore provided opportunities for our students to acquire learning which integrates international and cross-cultural perspectives that are relevant within a global context, and to engage in direct experiential learning within an international context.

This award embraces the internationalisation agenda and provides opportunities for students to study abroad in the second year of their studies. students do study abroad for a whole academic year, this deepens the students' understanding of another culture and education system. It also broadens their horizons and also encourages the development of important skills and competencies for future study and employment. As a department we have exchange agreements with a number of partner institutions, including universities in the Netherlands, France, Spain, Poland, Austria, Turkey. Australia, the U.S and Canada.

In addition as part of the Law in Practice module at level 6, students have the opportunity to be placed for a six week block with a legal service provider abroad. We have established placements in the United States, it is envisaged that this opportunity will be expanded and further placements will be available throughout the United States and in other countries.

To complement our international offer, many of our modules include an 'international' element (eg EU Law).

3.2The approach to Assessment and Feedback within the Programme

The success of the Programme, in its approach to assessment and feedback, is the engagement with an assessment and feedback strategy which will support student learning and enhance student achievement. Specifically, we are committed to the implementation and delivery of the Faculty Feedback Policy (in conjunction with the Faculty Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy, the University’s Assessment and Feedback Policy and the Quality Assurance Agency’s Codes of Practice). Collectively, these policies provide the framework for effective and efficient practice.

Effective and efficient assessment and feedback practice

We have developed the course curriculum where both formative and summative activities, assessments and feedback will be provided across all modules to support students academic, personal and professional development (which includes enhancing their subject knowledge AND the development and acquisition of skills and practices relevant for the world of work). The success of this approach is through improved opportunities for interaction and dialogue amongst tutors and students throughout the learning process. Participation in continuous interaction and dialogue, not only enables students to acquire information and support but it also enables staff to assess student engagement, understanding and progress.

Assessment is viewed as an integral part of student learning. Therefore we have devised a balanced assessment diet across and between levels of study. The award offers a whole range of assessment packages including, seen, unseen, take home examinations, coursework essays, multiple choice examinations, presentations (group and individual), case studies, reports, files of work, reflective journals, moots, letters of advice etc.

All modules utilise both formative and summative feedback approaches in line with the University's and Faculty's Assessment Policies, the emphasis is on identifying the skills that the student needs to improve his/her performance. The approach to assessment and feedback takes account of the needs of disabled students and those with other learning requirements therefore alternative forms of assessment are produced in line with the requirements stipulated on the students' learning contract.

4PROGRAMME DESIGN AND STRUCTURE

The LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology is a qualifying law degree, giving exemption from the Common Professional Examination of the Law Society and the Bar Council.

The three year programme is structured to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the disciplines of both law and criminology. In addition to the students studying the law foundation cores and criminology modules students will experience a mandatory work related learning elective. PDP is also embedded within each level.

The removal of Law and Criminology degree which is now replaced with Law with Criminology allows more flexibility and elective choices for students. The introduction of the Level 6 work related learning elective now ensures that all students including those on joint degrees will experience clinical legal education.

Transferability

Students can transfer to LLB (Hons) Law at the end of Level 4. Students will have to fill their 20 credit elective with Criminal Law.

LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology

Level Four
Law of Contract / 20
English Legal Systems & Skills (PDP) / 30
Public Law & Human Rights / 30
Criminological Foundations (Criminology Elective) / 20
Criminal Justice (Criminology Elective) / 20
Total / 120
Level Five
Law of Tort / 20
Public Law 2 / 20
Criminal Law / 20
Careers Development Learning (PDP) / 20
Criminological Theory in a Contemporary World (Sem 1)(Criminology Elective) / 10
Crime & Punishment (Sem 1)(Criminology Elective) / 10
Criminology Elective (Sem 2) / 10
Criminology Elective(Sem 2) / 10
Total / 120
Level Six
Land Law / 20
Equity & Trusts / 20
Work Related Elective ((Strand A)*(PDP) / 20
Law of the European Union / 20
Criminology Elective / 20
Elective (Law- Strand A/B or Crim) / 20
Total / 120
KEY
= Law Society Foundation Core
= SHU Core
= PDP

* See Notes

All students MUST choose one or more of the work related learning electives in level 6 from Strand A.

Work Related Learning Electives - Level 6 (Strand A)

The choice of work related learning modules include:- (this list is not exhaustive and can be added to)

Law Clinic
Innocence Project
Law in Practice
Mooting 2
Law in the Community
Law Reform Clinic

Please note for these electives there will be a written application process. For Law in Practice the written application process is followed by an interview with the Law in Practice academic team and Legal Services providers. For the following modules Law Clinic, Innocence Project, Law in Practice there will be a cap on numbers. The number of places available will vary from year to year dependent on external factors eg number of cases and number of placements. It is envisaged that Mooting, Law in the Community and the Law Reform Clinic will expand to facilitate this change in the programme.