Course coordinator
Dr Joseph Lelliott
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Law School
This course involves an advanced examination of criminal law and procedure, as well as several interrelated facets of criminology. It goes beyond the compulsory criminal law component of the LLB and places a greater focus on the causes of crime, the responses of criminal justice agencies, and justifications and critiques of criminalisation. It also introduces students to more complex aspects of substantive criminal law, including transnational crime and corporate liability. This course seeks to develop students' critical reasoning skills by encouraging them to reflect on the broader role of criminal law in society, its proper limits, and its practical operation.
This course presents students with an advancedﾠexamination of criminal law and procedure, as well as several interrelated facets of criminology. It expands on the compulsory criminal law course in the LLB, with a greater focus on the social and political contexts of criminalisation, aspects of criminal process, and corporate and transnational crime.
The beginning of the course canvasses the introduction and development of criminal law in Australia, together with criminological perspectives on the causes of crime and crime prevention. It then moves to consideration of the creation of criminal law - when is its use justified, what drives criminalisation, and what are the alternatives? From there, and for the next five weeks, the course broadly tracks the criminal process. Police powers, fairness, the trial, and sentencing and punishment are covered, with an emphasis on critical perspectives. Victim's rights are also addressed. In the final three weeks, the course turns to three more discrete topics: corporate liability, transnational crime, and, to concude, the increasing employment of criminalisationﾠand 'criminal-esque' measures outside the traditional boundaries of the criminal law.
Woven through the 10 weeks of the course is an in-depth case study. This case study links many of the topics covered and allows students to think about the content covered in a practical context. It broadly tracks a scenario of criminal offending and its investigation, prosecution, and punishment, as well as several related issues, with new information and problems to consider each week.
Throughout the course, students are encouraged to explore criminal law issues for themselves through reading/viewing cases, journal articles and other materials. Learning is guided by these materials, the seminars, and supplementary information modules on blackboard, rather than a prescribed textbook.
The assessment in this course emphasises practical and lifelong learning skills, with a focusﾠon professional competency, communication, higher order cognition, and 'real-world' tasks. Students are assessed on practical skills including their ability to problem solve, write in plain English, and undertake legal analysis. There is no examﾠand several of the assessments are tied to the ongoing case study examined in class.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Prior completion of criminal law is required.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
LAWS2708
Restrictions
LLB(Hons)(#64), LLB(Hons)(#48), LLB, LLB (Graduate Entry), LLB(Hons) duals and LLB dual programs.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Joseph Lelliott
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
Teaching Mission Statement
The mission of the TC Beirne School of Law is to educate students in and about the law. We seek to assist you to think critically about the law and to investigate its structures, principles, policies, and values. This is achieved by engaging with you as fellow investigators in a range of critical and intellectual conversations about the law and its place in society. Our role is thus to guide you in your own intellectual journey in the law and to equip you with the necessary skills that will enable you to continue that journey long after you have left the School.
Course Aims
This course is designed for final year law students, and aims to give a broad overview of the area, concentrating on theoretical explanations of crime and on the range of influences which may affect criminal activity. Its objective is to encourage people who may later be working in the criminal justice area to be aware of the various influences on, beliefs about, and solutions available for the on-going problem of crime in society.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Show an advanced understanding of criminal law and procedure and relevant institutional frameworks.
LO2.
Identify and understand contemporary issues related to crime and criminal law, including through the lens of criminology.
LO3.
Critically analyse the role of criminal law in 21st century Australian society.
LO4.
Apply critical reasoning to published information and opinion.
LO5.
Effectively communicate your knowledge of crime and criminal law, and related social and political issues, both in writing and verbally in ways appropriate to professional and/or academic audiences.
LO6.
Locate, assess and utilise relevant information.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique |
Client Advice
|
20% |
17/04/2025 2:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Presentation (Recorded)
|
40% |
15/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Policy Brief
|
40% |
29/05/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Client Advice
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
17/04/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04, L05, L06
Task description
For this assessment, students will be required to write a letter of advice to a client. The advice will relate to the client's prospects of making certain successful pre-trial applications.
The task is connected to a case study examined throughout the course. Further information on writing the advice will be provided in class.
The task is worth 20% and the word limit for this assessment is 1,000 words, inclusive of headings but not including footnotes (although footnotes should contain referencing material only and should not contain substantive text). The 1,000 word limit is a firm limit. 10% of the student's final grade will be deducted for every 100 words or part thereof in excess of the limit. Students should state the final word count of their response on the front page of their submission.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct Policy.
Submission guidelines
Assignments must be submitted electronically via the submission link on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extension to Assessment Due Date
Where an extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered is available, any extension is limited to one week (7 days). In exceptional circumstances, extensions may be granted for more than one week, but in no case will an extension exceed four weeks (28 days) in total. Where a student is incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, they should apply for removal of course.
A student may apply for an extension to assessment due date if they are unable to meet an assessment deadline due to extenuating circumstances. Please refer to the Applying for an extension page on my.UQ for further details on acceptable reasons for an extension and for instructions on how to apply. Additional information on extensions can be found within the Assessment Procedure .
Spoken or written notification of difficulties with assessment deadlines to a course coordinator or the School does not constitute an authorised extension.
Applications to be submitted before the due date: Applications for extension (whether they be medical or exceptional circumstances) shall be made by the due date and time for the assessment. Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date and time, must include evidence of the reason for the late request, and will require the decision maker listed in the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure to accept the request for consideration.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Penalties for Late Submission
The following penalties apply to late submission of an assessment item, assuming that an extension has not been approved, and that late submission is academically possible (e.g., it does not delay feedback to a cohort, or interfere with course delivery).
First 7 periods of 24 hours (or part thereof) - 10% per 24 hours of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item. For example, a report worth a maximum of 40 marks, submitted 28 hours late will attract a penalty of 8 marks, calculated as 2 periods of 24 hours x 10% x 40 marks.
More than 7 periods of 24 hours - 100%.
Presentation (Recorded)
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
15/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05, L06
Task description
This assessment requires students to (1) record a sentencing submission and (2) write an explanatory memo to accompany the submission. The assessment will be based on a case scenario that will run throughout the course; students will need to draw on the factual background of this case scenario and their knowledge of the law concerning sentencing in Queensland to complete this assessment. Students will be assigned the role of the prosecution or defence.
Students will need to record a video of themselves making the sentencing submission. While there is no need for formal attire, students should be smartly presented in the video (i.e. do not record it laying in bed in pajamas). Students should make the submission as though they are addressing the Court, with appropriate formalities.
Students must also write an Explanatory Memo that (1) explains the key arguments made in their video submission (with appropriate references to legal authorities and legislation); and (2) identifies the likely counter-arguments of the opposing side. The audience of the Memo is (in this scenario) the supervising lawyer of the student.
The time limit of the Recorded Sentencing Submission is 5 minutes.
The word limit of the Explanatory Memo is 800 words, inclusive of headings but not including footnotes (although footnotes should contain referencing material only and should not contain substantive text). The 800 word limit is a firm limit. 10% of the student's final grade will be deducted for every 100 words or part thereof in excess of the limit. Students should state the final word count of their response on the front page of their submission.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct Policy.
Submission guidelines
The video recording and accompanying written work must both be submitted on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extension to Assessment Due Date
Where an extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered is available, any extension is limited to one week (7 days). In exceptional circumstances, extensions may be granted for more than one week, but in no case will an extension exceed four weeks (28 days) in total. Where a student is incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, they should apply for removal of course.
A student may apply for an extension to assessment due date if they are unable to meet an assessment deadline due to extenuating circumstances. Please refer to the Applying for an extension page on my.UQ for further details on acceptable reasons for an extension and for instructions on how to apply. Additional information on extensions can be found within the Assessment Procedure .
Spoken or written notification of difficulties with assessment deadlines to a course coordinator or the School does not constitute an authorised extension.
Applications to be submitted before the due date: Applications for extension (whether they be medical or exceptional circumstances) shall be made by the due date and time for the assessment. Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date and time, must include evidence of the reason for the late request, and will require the decision maker listed in the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure to accept the request for consideration.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Penalties for Late Submission
The following penalties apply to late submission of an assessment item, assuming that an extension has not been approved, and that late submission is academically possible (e.g., it does not delay feedback to a cohort, or interfere with course delivery).
First 7 periods of 24 hours (or part thereof) - 10% per 24 hours of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item. For example, a report worth a maximum of 40 marks, submitted 28 hours late will attract a penalty of 8 marks, calculated as 2 periods of 24 hours x 10% x 40 marks.
More than 7 periods of 24 hours - 100%.
Policy Brief
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
29/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The final assessment item requires students to show a developed understanding and critical awareness of a particular criminal law issue, as informed by the content of the seminars and further independent study. The purpose of this assessment is to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate research, analytical, and writing skills, with an emphasis on the ability to clearly and concisely convey complex legal information.
Students will be asked to write a government policy brief on an issue concerning criminal law. The brief should succinctly explain the issue at hand, critically analyse the current approach to it, and set out potential solutions/other approaches.
The word limit is 1,500 words, inclusive of headings but not including footnotes (although footnotes should contain referencing material only and should not contain substantive text). The 1,500 word limit is a firm limit. 10% of the student's final grade will be deducted for every 100 words or part thereof in excess of the limit. Students should state the final word count of their response on the front page of their submission.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct Policy.
Submission guidelines
Assignments must be submitted electronically via the submission link on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extension to Assessment Due Date
Where an extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered is available, any extension is limited to one week (7 days). In exceptional circumstances, extensions may be granted for more than one week, but in no case will an extension exceed four weeks (28 days) in total. Where a student is incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, they should apply for removal of course.
A student may apply for an extension to assessment due date if they are unable to meet an assessment deadline due to extenuating circumstances. Please refer to the Applying for an extension page on my.UQ for further details on acceptable reasons for an extension and for instructions on how to apply. Additional information on extensions can be found within the Assessment Procedure .
Spoken or written notification of difficulties with assessment deadlines to a course coordinator or the School does not constitute an authorised extension.
Applications to be submitted before the due date: Applications for extension (whether they be medical or exceptional circumstances) shall be made by the due date and time for the assessment. Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date and time, must include evidence of the reason for the late request, and will require the decision maker listed in the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure to accept the request for consideration.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Penalties for Late Submission
The following penalties apply to late submission of an assessment item, assuming that an extension has not been approved, and that late submission is academically possible (e.g., it does not delay feedback to a cohort, or interfere with course delivery).
First 7 periods of 24 hours (or part thereof) - 10% per 24 hours of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item. For example, a report worth a maximum of 40 marks, submitted 28 hours late will attract a penalty of 8 marks, calculated as 2 periods of 24 hours x 10% x 40 marks.
More than 7 periods of 24 hours - 100%.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 47 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 48 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Students will be directed to relevant resources (including legislation, cases, journal articles and book chapters) on Blackboard for each week's content.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 12 |
Seminar |
Seminars The programme of seminars for the course is set out in the course learning guide. This is available from the course Blackboard site. Seminar Topics are:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: