191-005 Critical Criminal Law

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.

Criminal law has a central importance in criminology, since it is the criminal law which determines the legality or illegality of behaviours. This subject studies criminal law as it governs court processes and selected offences within Victoria. The first section of the course covers the institutions and practices of criminal law, with particular emphasis on courts and criminal responsibility. The second section focuses on substantive offences in criminal law: sexual assault and sexual offences; non-fatal violent offences; the law relating to homicide; and criminal defences. Issues of gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation are raised. Students completing the subject should be able to understand the structure of criminal law, appreciate the 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).

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop

• P Rush, Criminal Law. Butterworths 1997.