191-005 Criminal Law and Criminology

Formerly available as 191-204/304. Students who have completed 191-204 or 191-304 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 25 points of first year criminology.

The subject is divided into two main sections. The first covers the institutions, discourses and practices of criminal law, with particular emphasis on the court process, doctrines of criminal responsibility, and the structure of criminal legal principles. The second section focuses on substantive offences in criminal law: sexual assault and sexual offences; assault and non-fatal violent offences; the law relating to homicide; criminal defences, such as provocation and self-defence. Issues of gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation are raised. Students completing the subject should be able to understand the structure of criminal law, appreciate forms and meanings of legal discourse, identify ways in which criminal law responds to social problems, and conduct research on criminal legal matters.

• have considerable capacity for independent critical thought and self-directed learning;

• have significant cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills;

• understand complex concepts and express them lucidly in writing and orally;

• have an ability to plan work and to use time effectively;

• have advanced awareness of cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications.

An essay of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester) and a take-home examination of 2000 words of written answers 50% (due at the end of semester).

• P Rush, Criminal Law. Butterworths 1997.