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Unit of study_
LAWS5004: Criminal Law
2025 unit information
This unit of study is designed to introduce students to the general principles of criminal law in NSW, and to facilitate critical analysis of the criminal law in this state. To achieve this, the unit will consider a range of theoretical literature, as well as critical commentary, and it will focus on particular substantive criminal law topics. Although the topic structure is necessarily selective, it is intended that students will gain a broad understanding of crime and justice issues, as well the ability to apply the criminal law to hypothetical scenarios. Students will be encouraged to challenge conventional wisdom and to think deeply about the law's approach to various issues of criminal responsibility. This unit of study is designed to assist students to develop: (1) a critical appreciation of certain key concepts which recur throughout the substantive criminal law; (2) knowledge of the legal rules in certain specified areas of criminal law and their application; (3) preliminary knowledge of how the criminal law operates in its broader societal context; and (4) an understanding of how criminal liability is determined. The course has a critical focus. The contradictions presented by the application of legal principle to complex social problems will be investigated.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Law School
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Law |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
LAWS5000 and LAWS5003 |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
None |
| Prohibitions:
?
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LAWS1003 or LAWS1016 or LAWS2001 or LAWS2009 |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
|
None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Understand how the criminal law of New South Wales operates.
- LO2. Analyse criminal law cases and interpret criminal statutes.
- LO3. Apply the law to factual scenarios in problem questions to develop your problem solving skills.
- LO4. Communicate both orally and in writing in ways that are effective and persuasive.
- LO5. Critically analyse the scope and content of the criminal law by drawing on various normative and explanatory theories.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 2 2024
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney | |
|
Semester 2 2024
|
Normal evening | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 2 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
|
Semester 2 2025
|
Normal evening | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
