law5cru usa criminal law
USA CRIMINAL LAW
LAW5CRU
2014
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject examines the fundamentals of criminal law in the American legal system. At the outset, we will explore questions of what should be criminalized, why we should punish certain defendants, and how to ensure that punishments are proportionate to the crime. The subject will then review the critical issue of mens rea, focusing on whether defendants can be held liable regardless of their criminal intent, or whether negligence, purposefulness, or some other mental state should be required. Thereafter, the subject will analyse the technical elements and real-world realities of some of the most common criminal offenses in the United States, specifically murder, manslaughter, rape, assault, burglary, conspiracy, and driving while intoxicated. Finally, once the elements of a criminal offense have been established, we will review the major defences to criminal liability, such as self-defence, necessity, duress, intoxication, and insanity.
FacultyFaculty of Business, Economics and Law
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorGordon Walker
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
PrerequisitesN/A
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2014, Week 21-22, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentNo
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorGordon Walker
Class requirements
Lecture/WorkshopWeek: 21 - 22
Five 8.0 hours lecture/workshop per study period on weekdays during the day from week 21 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
Assessment element | Comments | % |
---|---|---|
class participation | 10 | |
one 6,000-7,000-word take-home examination | 90 |