Legal Studies

This course introduces students to the structure and core elements of criminal liability. It engages with aspects of criminal law theory, and requires students to think critically about the types of conduct that should be criminalised and the circumstances in which individuals should be held criminally responsible for their actions.

Lacking the basic grammar of “Western” modern constitutionalism, such as the separation of powers and judicial constitutional review, the Chinese constitutional law is key to understanding many controversies about China in the international community, especially those concerning human rights protection and the governance of autonomous regions (such as Xinjiang and Tibet) and special administrative regions (notably Hong Kong). To help better understand the characteristics of China's political and legal system and reflect on the role of the constitution in a state and how it should be enforced, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to the historical trajectory of constitution making and amending in China, the features of the current constitution, and the latest developments of its implementation, understood in the social, political, and economic contexts of China and from a comparative perspective vis-à-vis the “West.” At the same time, the course introduces some basic concepts in legal theory and constitutional law, as well as various approaches of comparative legal studies.

This course focuses on psychological aspects of the criminal justice system and combines theoretical and practical approaches to activities central to the processes within, such as interviewing witnesses and suspects, person identification, detecting deception, and jury decision-making. It further focuses on the intersection of neuroscience and psychology and the "science" and associations between cognitive development, disorders, and offending.
Consideration is given to psychological theories of predisposing and precipitating factors that influence criminal behavior. Students learn about the approach of the criminal justice system to those with mental disorders as well as treatment options. They are also introduced to assessing risk and decision-making within the wider system.

This course examines contemporary theories of justice such as those of Sen, Rawls, and Dworkin in the light of the distinction between theory and practice that we inherit from Aristotle. Of particular interest are those approaches to modern political problems that combine the unique insights that emerge from a sensitivity to conceptual history with the unquestionable moral progress that is owed to the ethical outlook of modern democracy.

This course covers the basic principles and research methods of constitutional law. It provides a study of the Constitution of China and the basic theory of the Constitution of Marxism. It covers the history, development, and practical application of The Constitution of China.

This course examines the parameters of the youth crime "problem" and the function of the Youth Justice System, while introducing a range of theories examining why young people engage in delinquent behaviors. Lectures explore key issues associated with young people, such as drug use, anti-social behavior, and gang membership.