Availabilities:

2021 unit offering information will be available in September 2020

Unit description

Provides the student with an understanding of the principles of substantive Australian criminal law, including a detailed knowledge of the application of these principles in respect of major crimes and defences, as well as the doctrines of complicity and inchoate criminal liability.

Unit content

Part 1 - Introduction

Topic 1 General principles of criminal responsibility (includes issues concerning strict liability and mistake) 

Part 2 - Offences

Topic 2 Unlawful killing (murder and manslaughter) 
Topic 3 (Non sexual) offences against the person 
Topic 4 Sexual offences 
Topic 5 Property offences 
Topic 6 Recent (serious) federal offences 

Part 3 - Defences 

Topic 7 Mental state defences (insanity, automatism and intoxication) 
Topic 8 Partial defences (provocation and diminished responsibility) 
Topic 9 Necessity-based defences (self-defence, duress and necessity)

Part 4 - Extending criminal responsibility 

Topic 10 Complicity
Topic 11 Inchoate offences (attempt, conspiracy and incitement)

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the major principles of criminal responsibilityKnowledge of a discipline
2Identify the legal and policy issues in relation to substantive criminal law and critically evaluate police, prosecutorial, judicial and legislative decision-making Intellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
3Recognise and analyse the general principles of criminal law theory and describe how power structures in society are reproduced in the criminal law and criminal justice systemIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
4Identify the definitions of the major crimes and defences found in Australian criminal law (including selected major recent offences under Federal law) and analyse the key substantive criminal law issues raisedKnowledge of a discipline
5Describe and critically evaluate how criminal liability is expanded through the doctrines of complicity in crime and inchoate offencesKnowledge of a discipline
6Develop and demonstrate advanced problem solving skills in relation to hypothetical criminal law fact scenariosIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
7Demonstrate analytical and written skills in the presentation of argument in the field of substantive criminal lawIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a disciplineCommunication and social skills

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the major principles of criminal responsibility
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  2. Identify the legal and policy issues in relation to substantive criminal law and critically evaluate police, prosecutorial, judicial and legislative decision-making
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  3. Recognise and analyse the general principles of criminal law theory and describe how power structures in society are reproduced in the criminal law and criminal justice system
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  4. Identify the definitions of the major crimes and defences found in Australian criminal law (including selected major recent offences under Federal law) and analyse the key substantive criminal law issues raised
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  5. Describe and critically evaluate how criminal liability is expanded through the doctrines of complicity in crime and inchoate offences
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  6. Develop and demonstrate advanced problem solving skills in relation to hypothetical criminal law fact scenarios
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  7. Demonstrate analytical and written skills in the presentation of argument in the field of substantive criminal law
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA6: Communication and social skills

Teaching and assessment

Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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