CQUniversity Unit Profile
LAWS11060 Criminal Law
Criminal Law
All details in this unit profile for LAWS11060 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 26-03-20

The end of term examination has now been changed to an alternate form of assessment in the form of a final take home paper. Please see your Moodle site for details of the assessment.

General Information

Overview

LAWS11060 Criminal law provides knowledge of the procedures of and general doctrines of criminal law with emphasis on offences against the person (including murder, manslaughter and assault) and against property (including stealing) as expressed in the Queensland Criminal Code. Selective treatment is given to various defences and to the elements of criminal procedure. This unit together with LAWS13010 Evidence and Proof meets the LPAB requirements for criminal law and procedure.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Corequisite: LAWS11057

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2020

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
2. Examination
Weighting: 60%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Unit Evaluations comments

Feedback

Students very much appreciated changes made to the study guides for the Unit.

Recommendation

Unit study guides to be retained and continually improved.

Feedback from Unit Evaluations comments

Feedback

At times students felt lost as to which week's material was to be covered in the Zoom session.

Recommendation

Zoom material should cover same week as substantive lecture material to make it easier to follow for students.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Analyse and explain criminal law offences against the person and against property
  2. Analyse and explain the elements of the criminal offence or defence, and the onus and burden of proof
  3. Research and apply principles of criminal law in Queensland as expressed in legislation and case law to the analysis of criminal law problems
  4. Apply skills in communication, critical legal thinking and reasoning.


Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Written Assessment - 40%
2 - Examination - 60%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 40%
2 - Examination - 60%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Principles of Criminal Law in Queensland and Western Australia

2nd Edition (2016)
Authors: Kelley Burton, Thomas Crofts, Stella Tarrant
Lawbook Co., Australia
Pyrmont Pyrmont , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780455236971
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Copies are available for purchase at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 4th ed

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Lance Rundle Unit Coordinator
l.rundle@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Introduction to criminal law, arrest and bail

Chapter

Chp 1, 2 & 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Criminal process and sentencing

Chapter

Chp 16

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Inchoate and secondary liability

Chapter

Chp 14 & 15

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Homicide

Chapter

Chp 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Assault and sexual assault

Chapter

Chp 5 & 6 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Offences relating to property (stealing and robbery)


Chapter

Chp 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Offences relating to property (burglary, receiving, fraud) and drug offences

Chapter

Chp 7 & 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 04 May 2020

Module/Topic

Defences- mistake

Chapter

Chp 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Practical Skills Task- Bail Application Due: Week 8 Tuesday (5 May 2020) 8:00 am AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 11 May 2020

Module/Topic

Defences- self help and provocation

Chapter

Chp 10 & 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 18 May 2020

Module/Topic

Mental disease insanity

Chapter

Chp 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 25 May 2020

Module/Topic

Defences- intoxication

Chapter

Chp 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Revision and exam preparation

Chapter

See week 12 on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Skills Task- Bail Application

Task Description

You will be presented with a criminal law problem scenario, the assessment question will be released on Moodle. You will be required to undertake research of legislation and case law and apply this research to support your legal argument and conclusion.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Tuesday (5 May 2020) 8:00 am AEST

To be uploaded to Moodle via the assessment 1 upload link as a word document


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Monday (25 May 2020)

The assessment with feedback will be returned after all students in this unit, including those with an approved extension, have submitted their assessment.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

You will be assessed on your research skills, your ability to reference case law and reference legislation so as to outline your legal argument linking the law to the problem scenario using concise, clear and grammatically correct language. A marking rubric will be provided with the question on Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
To be uploaded to Moodle via the assessment 1 upload link as a word document

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Research and apply principles of criminal law in Queensland as expressed in legislation and case law to the analysis of criminal law problems
  • Apply skills in communication, critical legal thinking and reasoning.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
60%

Length
120 minutes

Exam Conditions
Open Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Law dictionaries, Business and Law dictionaries (discipline specific dictionaries) are authorised.
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?