The Open University

  • Thread starter Thread starter Swirly Chaser
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Well, that's me completed four of my six tutor marked assignments and I have decided that this is very difficult.

I am confident of passing but I never really study at all. That's why I think I will fail the actual exam in October (when I say I will pass I mean the TMA's).

This is what my tutor wrote about my latest essay -

Parts of this essay are reasonably good (your discussion of the recklessness cases particularly) but when you tried to generalise, as at the end, and make your own argument it began to deteriorate (see my marginal comments and compare my attached "rough notes"). Part of the problem was in starting with strict liability and returning to it at the end, when it would have been better to lay out mens rea issues first. It would also have been useful to lay out the various sub-topics in a logical way; this might have helped you get in everything you left out (eg Road Traffic Act defences, Sweet v Parsley on strict liability and the presumption of mens rea). So still plenty of room for improvement.

I liked the part where he wrote "parts of this essay are reasonably good..." but after that his summary deteriorated. :lol:
 
The secret is not to write legal essays that simply concentrate on the bits you find interesting !

Sweet-v- Parsley is fascinating as is the whole topic of strict liability in criminal law . I imagine that your tutor would not have made all the same criticisms about structure had you linked strict liability into mens rea i.e that strict liability gives rise to such rampant unfairness that we must have a system based largely on intent. Sweet-v- parsley being a trememndous illustration of the potentail unfairness of strict liability .

By the way public law is hard . There is an amorphous nature to it that many people find difficult to grasp.
 
Is it truth or fiction that most OU students look like this?

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Gwyn is a former soldier. He served in the Falklands Conflict and was badly burnt when his battleship was hit by the enemy. Gwyn made a good physical recovery from his injuries although he still has scars on his face; however, he was discharged from the army on the grounds of ill-health as he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Following his discharge, Gwyn is now far more irritable and unpredictable than previously and suffers from extreme mood swings.

One evening, Gwyn decides to go to the local bowling alley. As he is waiting to pay, Harriet is standing next to him. She accidently drops her bowling ball onto her foot and screams. Gwyn suffers a flashback and believed he was about to be attacked by enemy forces. He punches Harriet to the ground and then, whilst Harriet is on the ground, Gwyn kicks her head repeatedly. Harriet sustains serious and permanent brain damage as a result of the attack.

Gwyn subsequently realises what he has done and is horrified. He goes home and falls asleep. He is awoken by a loud banging on the door. Gwyn opens the door to Harriet's brother Fred and father Paul.

Paul says "We've come to get you, scar face, for what you did to my daughter. You're a lunatic". Gwyn is enraged by Paul's comments. Gwyn grabs an ornamental sword from the hallway and stabs Paul killing him instantly.

Gwyn tries to run from the house. Fred is still standing by the door. Gwyn pushes him out of the way but Fred trips, falls to the ground and hits his head on the pavement. Gwyn does not realise that Fred is badly hurt, and he runs off. Fred is able to stand up but he is clearly shocked and injured. He refuses all offers to seek medical help as he is terrified of doctors. He staggers home and goes to bed.

During the night Fred dies of his head injuries. It later emerges that, had he received medical treatment, he would have survived.

Discuss the criminal liability of Gwyn.

It's to be in by 10th August so hurry up someone.

Thanks :D
 
:lol:

I imagine they might want you to discuss at least

Non Insane Automatism
Mens Rea
Whether common assault resulting in death is manslaughter but with the question of causation thrown in
Self Defence
Liability or lack thereof for omissions


Good luck
 
Well, here we are then - the end of the road!

It's my exam in 2 weeks time and I must say, despite my very high intellect (Ha!), I am pretty down about my chances of passing. I just cannot remember things. I am excellent at research, which is why i have done so well in my essays and casework assignments, but as far as recalling information from memory is concerned - I'm hopeless.

Whatever happens, it was an excellent experience.
 
How is the study going Phil? And how are you finding the whole online university thing?

I am actually considering doing several courses myself through one of the uni's in Australia. We have a wide range of subjects. I am thinking either doing Bachelor of Commerce (Sports Admin) or Bachelor of Communications (Public Relations).

Or even if I just do some of the short courses.
 
The studying is going terrible - I never study!

That, in itself, will be my undoing.

My course isn't really centred around the internet. 95% of the course was done the traditional way, but with no travelling! The Open University is the perfect way to study and reach new academic heights for people. There are no long, tedious lectures by lecturers who would rather be at home watching Columbo and you don't have to go through the devastatingly boring ritual of talking to any other students and pretending you care about what they do or like. The course I have just finished - LAW: THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE STATE - was split into two sections, public law and criminal law. All the relevant answers were pointed out to me in the course manuals and it was all a case of me just learning them. I would certainly advise the Open University to everyone as I was treated with the utmost professionalism and even though it wasn't cheap, it was money well spent I feel.

Studying at home, although quite boring, beats travelling to a university to be bored half the day.

I'm not saying it's for everyone, infact there were times when those around me distracted me so much that I nearly gave up, but overall it is a fine way to learn and better oneself.

Good luck whatever you do!
 
Good luck with your tests, Phil.

I once enrolled with the OU to do a computing degree. I've still got the parcel of books unopened in the loft as Mrs Mo got pregnant and I knew there was no way I'd have the time for it (the course) after that.
 
I won't know for certain until 14th December, but trust me - I have failed.

I passed my TMAs with an overall score of 62% (pass mark was 40%) but when I went to the Royal Concert Hall (of all places!) for my exam I was too busy forgetting everything I'd learned to remember everything I'd learned. I forgot names, dates, cases, words, theories, facts and more importantly, a pen. I turned up to an exam without a pen. Luckily, I didn't have any trouble borrowing one. I wish it had been that easy borrowing the answers.

My advice to anyone sitting an exam in a law course is - Do not try to be a comedian in your answers! - I was constantly cracking jokes in my answers and I am sure that will guarantee a fail in itself, but the way I saw it - I was on a sinking ship, may as well have a laugh.

I am currently trading at 1000 on Betfair so my hopes are all but dashed.

The upside is....

School's out for winter!!!!
 
Phil, I am amazed you have stuck it so long, but you have been in for the long haul so the best of luck with the results - I hope they are far better than you are anticipating.

You never know, the examiners may have a sense of humour too? B)
 
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