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Unit of Study LAWS2009 - Criminal Law (2026)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    N/A

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

Module 1: Criminal responsibility

Module 2: Homicide

Module 3: Offences against the person

Module 4: Property offences

Module 5: Defences

Module 6: Extending criminal responsibility

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4

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:

identify and evaluate the major principles of criminal responsibility

identify the definitions of the major crimes and defences found in Australian criminal law and analyse the key substantive criminal law issues raised

apply advanced problem-solving skills to hypothetical criminal law fact scenarios

apply analytical and written skills in the presentation of argument in the field of substantive criminal law.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Workshop 1 hour (Twice weekly)
Tutorial 2 hours (Twice weekly)
Assessment
Participation 10%
Fact Scenario Analysis 30%
Exam: Proctored, Online 60%

Teaching method
Workshop 1 hour (Twice weekly)
Tutorial 2 hours (Twice weekly)
Assessment
Participation 10%
Fact Scenario Analysis 30%
Exam: Proctored, Online 60%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • Kirchengast, T & Finlay, L, 2022, Criminal Law in Australia , 3rd edn, Lexis Nexis. ISBN: 9780409355994 (paperback) or 9780409356014 (eBook).
Prescribed Resources/Equipment

  • Access to a computer with a webcam and reliable internet connection.  Students will be required to complete an onboarding process to verify their identity before attempting the online exam in this unit.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.