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Course Outline

CRM205 Criminal Law

Course Coordinator:Kelly Hine (khine@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course explores the principles, practices, and impacts of criminal law. Students will examine how laws are created, interpreted, and enforced, and considered their social, political, and theoretical contexts. The course encourages critical reflection on the relationship between law, crime, and society.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous online learning materials - 1 hour 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous on campus tutorial - 2 hours 2hrs Week 2 10 times
Online
Learning materials – Asynchronous online learning materials - 1 hour. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous online tutorial - 2 hours. 2hrs Week 2 10 times

Course Topics

Example topics include

  • Foundations and purposes of criminal law in Australia
  • Elements of criminal responsibility
  • Key categories of offences and defences
  • The role of victims, offenders, and the state
  • Social and political influences on criminal law
  • Law enforcement, prosecution, and sentencing processes
  • Theoretical perspectives on crime and punishement
  • Reform, human rights, and contemporary debates in criminal law
  • (All topics potentially containing mature content)

Mature Content

Drug Use, Nudity, Sex/Sexual references, Violence, Coarse Language, Adult themes

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Demonstrate and apply relevant knowledge of the principles of criminal law and procedure. Knowledgeable
2 Apply critical thinking, analysis and reasoning to generate appropriate responses to issues and problems in criminal law. Creative and critical thinker
3 Communicate effectively in various modes. Empowered
4 Develop and support their own arguments using evidence-based research and critical analysis

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

LAW103 or LAW104 or LGL201

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Tutorials/Learning materials include quizzes for early feedback.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1a Written Piece Individual 30% 
1500 words
 Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 1b Written Piece Individual 40% 
2000 words
 Week 11 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 30% 
1 hour
 Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1a:Written Task
Goal: 
To demonstrate effective knowledge of the key themes of the course.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Students will be required to complete the task using Cadmus.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Students will be assessed on their knowledge, strength of argument, ability to support their own argument, and scholarly writing and practices
 1 2 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 1b:Written Piece
Goal: 
To demonstrate effective knowledge of the key themes of the course.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Students are required to complete the task using Cadmus
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Relevant knowledge
 1
2 
Critical thinking, analysis and reasoning
 2
3 
Structure and writing
 3
4 
Presentation and referencing
 3
5 
Originality, evidence, and logical reasoning
 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Final examination
Goal: 
Demonstrate knowledge of key content across the course.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Students are required to complete the task using Cadmus
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Knowledge of the law, as evidenced by accurate statement of relevant legal principles.
 1
2 
Critical and analytic reasoning, as evidenced by cogent and coherent application of legal principles to the fact situation as stated.
 2
3 
Requisite academic communication skills, as evidenced by logical structure of arguments, appropriateness of conclusions, inclusion of case authorities and legislative references, and use of accurate and appropriate expression.
 3
4 
Students will be assessed on their demonstrated understanding of the course content
 1 2 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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