Availabilities:

2022 unit offering information will be available in November 2021

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.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the major principles of criminal responsibility
2Identify 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
3Develop and demonstrate advanced problem-solving skills in relation to hypothetical criminal law fact scenarios
4Demonstrate analytical and written skills in the presentation of argument in the field of substantive criminal law

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

  1. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the major principles of criminal responsibility
  2. 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
  3. Develop and demonstrate advanced problem-solving skills in relation to hypothetical criminal law fact scenarios
  4. Demonstrate analytical and written skills in the presentation of argument in the field of substantive criminal law

Teaching and assessment

Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every teaching period. 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 teaching period.

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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