PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL LAW

LAW5PCL

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Principles of Criminal Law introduces students to a range of criminal offences and the legal principles and policies that underlie them. The subject begins with an examination of the aims and sources of criminal law and the nature and elements of criminal offences. Students then examine particular offences under Victorian law, such as murder, assault and related offences, sexual offences, property offences, and strict liability. There will also be selective comparative examination of federal criminal laws. Students will develop skills in writing legal advices (involving applying the law to new factual scenarios), analysing current issues in criminal law, and arguing for policy recommendations for law reform.

School: La Trobe Law School (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Steven Tudor

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in LMJD.

Co-requisites: LAW5PMI

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Victorian Criminal Charge Book

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Prescribed

Author: Judicial College of Victoria

Year: N/A

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: JCV

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing
DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Adaptability and Self-Management

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and analytical skills regarding the conceptual framework and doctrinal principles of criminal law operating in Victoria.
02. Demonstrate cognitive and creative skills in effectively researching, analysing and applying case law and legislation to factual scenarios in order to advise a client as to their legal liabilities.
03. Formulate and articulate innovative arguments regarding policy and law reform issues in the criminal law.

City Campus, 2020, Semester 1, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Steven Tudor

Class requirements

Lecture/SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.00 hours lecture/seminar per week on weekdays at night from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 4.00 hours unscheduled online class per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.

WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
Two 4.00 hours workshop per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

Problem Solving Exercise (1500 words)Students will write a legal advice in response to a given fictional scenario, in which they assess a client's legal position. Individual assessment

N/AN/AN/ANo25SILO1, SILO2

Examination (3000 words equivalent)Students will write a legal advice in response to a given fictional scenario, in which they assess a client's legal position. Students will also answer a critical and/or policy question about a particular area of the criminal law. Individual assessment

N/AN/AN/ANo50SILO1, SILO2

Law Reform Submission (1500 words)Students will write a law reform submission, in which they critically assess a policy or law reform issue and argue for a specific recommended resolution to that issue. Individual assessment

N/AN/AN/ANo25SILO1, SILO3