Critical Criminal Law

Subject 191-221 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

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Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures per week, and a 1-hour tutorial for 10 weeks of the semester
Total Time Commitment: .
Prerequisites: Usually 25 points of first year criminology.
Corequisites: .
Recommended Background Knowledge: .
Non Allowed Subjects: .
Core Participation Requirements: .

Coordinator

Prof A Young
Subject Overview:

Criminal law has a central importance in criminology, since it is the criminal law which determines the legality or illegality of behaviours. This subject studies criminal law as it governs court processes and selected offences within Victoria. The first section of the course covers the institutions and practices of criminal law, with particular emphasis on courts and criminal responsibility. The second section focuses on substantive offences in criminal law: sexual assault and sexual offences; non-fatal violent offences; the law relating to homicide; and criminal defences. Issues of gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation are raised. Students completing the subject should be able to understand the structure of criminal law, appreciate the forms and meanings of legal discourse, identify ways in which criminal law responds to social problems, and conduct research on criminal legal matters.

Assessment: An essay of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester) and a take-home examination of 2000 words of written answers 50% (due at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts: Criminal Law (P Rush), Butterworths 1997
Recommended Texts: .
Breadth Options: This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008.
This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future.
Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available.
2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • have considerable capacity for independent critical thought and self-directed learning;

  • have significant cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills;

  • understand complex concepts and express them lucidly in writing and orally;

  • have an ability to plan work and to use time effectively;

  • have advanced awareness of cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications.
Notes: .
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts
Diploma in Arts (Criminology)
Graduate Certificate in Criminology
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Criminology)

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