Unit rationale, description and aim
Having a strong understanding of criminal law and the criminal justice system is imperative for criminology and human rights students. Criminology is the study of crime and its causes, consequences, and prevention, while criminal law provides the legal framework for defining and addressing criminal behaviour. Criminology students need to understand this framework to analyse and interpret crime-related data, policies, and practices effectively. Criminal law also plays a central role in protecting human rights by defining and prohibiting actions that infringe upon fundamental rights and freedoms. Human rights students must, therefore, understand criminal law to identify violations, advocate for justice, and work towards the protection of human rights. This unit therefore provides students with a sound basis for understanding the sources of criminal law in Australia and the structure and players in the criminal justice system. It also equips students with an understanding of the different types of criminal offences, including offences against other people, such as assault and homicide, property, and drug offences. Students will also learn about emerging human rights issues and new directions for criminal law.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Understand and describe the relationship between c...
Learning Outcome 01
Demonstrate an understanding of criminal law in Au...
Learning Outcome 02
Critically reflect on emerging human rights and cr...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- Why study criminal law as a criminology and/or human rights student?
- Key concepts in criminal law
- Penalties & punishment
- Emerging human rights issues
- Offences against the person
- Property offences
- Drug offences
- Offences against society
- Attempts and complicity
- Criminal defences
- New directions for criminal law
Assessment strategy and rationale
Assessment is an integral part of the learning process. This unit is assessed by three assignments, outlined below. Assessment tasks in this unit are aimed at measuring and developing student’s achievement of both the learning outcomes and graduate attributes noted above.
Overview of assessments
Online quiz: Using multiple choice and/or short a...
Online quiz:
Using multiple choice and/or short answer style questions, students are required to demonstrate their knowledge of fundamental concepts relating to criminal law in Australia, including with respect to criminological and human rights issues
10%
Case study: Students must respond to a case stud...
Case study:
Students must respond to a case study relating to one or more of the offence types explored in this unit. Student responses may involve a written response and/or oral presentation.
40%
Research Essay: This task requires students to d...
Research Essay:
This task requires students to demonstrate their ability to research and critically discuss contemporary and/or emerging issues in criminal law.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit will be taught as 12 x 2-hour lectures followed by a 1-hour tutorial. Our strategy is to encourage students to actively engage with unit content and their peers; to provide a clear link between lecture content and tutorial practicum to develop skills that bridge the gap between theory and practice. Within an integrated learning framework, lectures will provide core content relating to the topics identified above and begin the process of exploration, which will be followed by detailed explanations and further investigation in tutorials. Through direct interaction between students and teachers, students are encouraged to engage in critical analysis of the foundational knowledge they acquire; to test that knowledge by applying it to factual situations; and to reflect on their learning. Each component is intended to build on knowledge and skills and progressively scaffold student learning.
The online learning platforms used in this unit provide multiple preparatory and practice opportunities to guide in-class and out-of-class study. Technology assistance in the form of online learning resources, notices, and assessment information (including online submission, marking, and return of results/feedback), is student-focused, affording greater accessibility and flexibility to the learning experience.
ACU Online
This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.