Key facts
UNE unit code: LAW316
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2025
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
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UNE is one of the few Australian Law Schools to offer an elective in Commonwealth Criminal Law.
Terrorism, foreign fighters, drug importation, child exploitation and fraud: these are some of the fascinating areas of criminality that come within the scope of Commonwealth criminal law.
This unit introduces you to substantive offences and the principles of criminal responsibility under the Commonwealth Criminal Code (Criminal Code Act 1995) and investigates its unique features and interaction with State and Territory law.
This unit will be of significant benefit to lawyers who wish to specialise in criminal law, to practising law enforcement officers and to others interested in this growing area of law.
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
![profile photo of Michelle Edgely](https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/image/0004/90337/varieties/69x77.png)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- understand the interaction between Commonwealth criminal law and State and Territory law and the role of Commonwealth law in creating and prosecuting certain offences;
- demonstrate broad understanding of Commonwealth criminal law, including legislation, case law, policy objectives, sentencing practices and implementation challenges of criminal law policy;
- critically analyse, interpret, consolidate and apply Commonwealth criminal law to a range of factual contexts;
- use communication and creative skills to persuasively communicate complex arguments relating to Commonwealth criminal law; and
- demonstrate advanced legal research skills and initiative to support written communications on issues relating to Commonwealth criminal law.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Take Home Exam | Yes | 60% | All offerings | |
Written Assignment | Yes | 40% | All offerings | No. Words: 2000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Commonwealth Criminal Law
ISBN: 9781760023966
Anderson, T., The Federation Press 3rd ed. 2022
Text refers to: All offerings
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