Criminal Law and Procedure

Subject 730-368 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook 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 1, - 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

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


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 2-hour seminars per week and five 1-hour optional guest lectures
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment of 144 hours.
Prerequisites: Legal Method and Reasoning; Principles of Public Law or in each case their equivalents.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

TBA
Subject Overview:

The subject studies the legal categories, judicial culture, and socio-historical contexts through which the contemporary attribution of ­criminal responsibility takes place. The topics covered include: theories of criminal law and the role of criminal law in society; the formal structure of substantive criminal law; the institutional arrangements of criminal procedure and their respective rationales; the law of homicide (murder and manslaughter); the law of non-fatal offences (including sexual offences) against the person; the law of the defences (examples may include self-defence, intoxication, necessity); the law of offences against property; the law relating to strict and absolute liability offences; the law of complicity and attempts; and the law of criminal procedure.

Throughout each of these topics, the emphasis is on both the theories and the practices of criminal law.

Assessment: Compulsory non-assesed group court visit and report to class; compulsory non-assesed mid-semester test; and a final open-book examination of three hours, 100%.
Prescribed Texts: Criminal Law: Text and Cases (Williams and Waller), 10th edn
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following generic skills:

  • Oral and written communication skills.
  • Thinking skills: critical thinking, problem-solving, analytical skills.
  • Capacities in information seeking and evaluation.
  • Planning and time management.
  • Working with and in different institutional and national cultures.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) and Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) and Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) and Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Laws

Download PDF version.