Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module LAW42715: CORPORATE COMPLIANCE

Department: Law

LAW42715: CORPORATE COMPLIANCE

Type Open Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2021/22

Prerequisites

  • NONE

Corequisites

  • NONE

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • NONE

Aims

  • The model aims to give an overview over criminal liability risks in a global market as well as corporate strategies to avoid such risks (‘Compliance”). After completing the module participants should be in a position to assess criminal liability risks and evaluate efficient Compliance strategies not only in the areas covered by the module but transfer these skills to other areas.

Content

  • The module will explore the reality of economic crimes as well as the legal regulations pertaining to these crimes on national levels and also within the EU. Although other areas will be covered, special attention will be given to “corruption”-crimes and their cross-border enforcement (FCPA / UK bribery act). Based on that the, module will introduce and explore compliance strategies to avoid criminal liability risks in a global market. Building a strong compliance program will be the centre of the module and participants will get to know the necessary components of such a program (Compliance Standards and Procedures, Culture of Compliance, Training and Communication etc.). In addition to issues such as the establishment of “whistleblowing”-mechanisms a special focus will be on the conduct of internal investigations.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of the module students should apply basic knowledge regarding economic crimes as well as the legal regulations pertaining to these crimes on national levels and also within the EU. Students should also be able to apply basic knowledge regarding the establishment of various compliance measures in order to avoid criminal liability.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On completion of the module students should be able to assess criminal liability risks in various legal systems and evaluate efficient Compliance strategies.
Key Skills:
  • On completion of the module students should have gained a basic understanding of how compliance works and to what it responds. They should also be able to critically evaluate various compliance mechanisms.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The basic concepts and information will be introduced by the lecturer, while more additional information will be introduced by students’ presentations as well as discussed during seminars based on a reader including additional reading information that will be handed out at the beginning of the module. The module therefore requires preparation of the students and the willingness to give short presentations or act as moderator in group discussions

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminar 5 one week module 3 hrs 15

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 3,000 100% Yes

Formative Assessment:

<enter text as appropriate for the module>


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University