Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer & Tutor
Eugene Schofield-Georgeson
Contact via Email
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to JD or GradCertLaw or GradDipLaw or LLM
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit aims to develop an advanced understanding of the substantive principles of criminal law, the administration of criminal justice and related public policy dimensions in contemporary Australian society. Students will critically examine principles of criminal responsibility, a range of criminal offences, and aspects of the investigation, prosecution and defence of criminal matters. They will carry out an independent piece of research to analyse and evaluate historical, social, political, philosophical and ethical factors that inform policy development in this area, including a current priority area for legal and policy reform.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Assessment criteria:
All assignments submitted in this unit will be subject to the following assessment criteria:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Statutory Interpretation | 15% | Week 4, 21 August 2015, 5pm |
Problem Question | 30% | Week 8, 2 October 2015, 5pm |
Final Assessment | 50% | 16 November 2015, 5pm |
Class Participation | 5% | Ongoing |
Due: Week 4, 21 August 2015, 5pm
Weighting: 15%
Locate two current Bills each relating to an aspect of criminal law and/or procedure in NSW. In essay format, argue a position for or against the Bill. Throughout your analysis, you must:
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Demonstrate competence in techniques of statutory interpretation. In particular, students will be introduced to the operation of legislation and its interaction with case law and academic commentary.
Due: Week 8, 2 October 2015, 5pm
Weighting: 30%
This assessment involves a legal problem question based on a fictional scenario. Students must correctly identify the relevant legal issues and advise (either the Police or a Criminal Defendant) on the possible consequences of criminal prosecution. Legal issues are confined to course material covered between Weeks 2-7. This includes police powers, general principles of criminal responsibility, summary offences, common assault (as opposed to aggravated and sexual assault) and defences. Disregard all legal issues relating to bail and sentencing (apart from the maximum sentence in respect to any relevant offence provisions). Students will be required to correctly identify 10 legal issues in total. One mark will be awarded in respect to each issue for:
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
Due: 16 November 2015, 5pm
Weighting: 50%
The assessment has two component parts, (A) and (B). Part (A) is an essay question and Part (B) is a problem question.
Part (A): Students will be given a choice of three discussion questions based on three discrete topics from Weeks 3 to 13. All assignments must:
Part B:
Part B involves a legal problem question based on a fictional scenario. Students must correctly identify the relevant legal issues and advise a client on the possible consequences of criminal prosecution.
(Part A: Weighting 30%; Part B: Weighting 20%)
Word Limit (Part A): 2000 words;
Word Limit (Part B): 1000 words
The assessment will be released 12 November at 4pm.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 5%
Participation: Meaningful contributions to class discussion demonstrating an appreciation of course content and skills acquired throughout the course.
If you cannot attend a tutorial you must email your tutor to inform them of your absence. Extended absences from tutorials must meet the criteria for Disruption to Studies and be approved by the Unit Convenor. Applications for Disruption to Studies are made online at ask.mq.edu.au.
Tutors will raise any concerns about poor participation with the student involved. Students will be given an opportunity to submit remedial work where there are concerns about participation or unexplained absences.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
This unit has an online presence on iLearn, Macquarie's online learning management system (ilearn.mq.edu.au). Students will require access to reliable broadband internet and a computer. More information is available at: www.mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/index.htm Students will also be required to use a computer to interact with online research databases and web- based research tools. The unit has a blended mode of delivery. Students are required to access online materials and resources. In semester 2, 2015 this unit is offered both internally and by intensive external attendance. External students are required to attend the compulsory, 2 day on campus session on 20-21 September and 25 October. Attendance at the 1 day on campus session on 25 October is voluntary.
The following textbooks are required:
Students are referred to the iLearn page for this unit for further details.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by: