Overview
Criminal Law II develops advanced knowledge of substantive criminal law and extends foundational principles through systematic study of offenses against persons, property, public order, public administration, and the state. Students examine statutory interpretation, common-law development, jurisdictional elements, and the classification of completed and inchoate offenses.
The course applies actus reus, mens rea, causation, concurrence, omissions, transferred intent, mistake, and complicity doctrines to complex legal problems. It addresses homicide, assault, sexual offenses, kidnapping, theft, robbery, burglary, fraud, arson, conspiracy, attempt, solicitation, corporate liability, and selected regulatory offenses, together with defenses including self-defense, necessity, duress, insanity, intoxication, mistake, consent, and other justification and excuse doctrines.
Students evaluate prosecutorial discretion, burdens of proof, proportionality, sentencing theory, aggravating and mitigating factors, constitutional limits on punishment, and the ethical and policy implications of criminal adjudication. Emphasis is placed on structured legal analysis, authoritative research, reasoned argument, and proportionate recommendations in complex factual settings.
Learning Outcomes
- Classify complex conduct according to the elements of relevant substantive and inchoate criminal offenses.
- Analyze actus reus, mens rea, causation, concurrence, omissions, transferred intent, and jurisdictional requirements in disputed fact patterns.
- Distinguish substantive offenses from evidentiary issues, procedural considerations, and available defenses.
- Apply statutes, precedent, and principles of statutory interpretation to construct supported criminal law arguments.
- Evaluate competing prosecution and defense submissions concerning liability, justification, excuse, and evidential burdens.
- Draft structured legal analyses that identify issues, state governing law, apply authority, and reach defensible conclusions.
- Recommend proportionate sentencing outcomes by assessing culpability, aggravating and mitigating factors, and constitutional constraints.
- Assess the policy and ethical implications of prosecutorial discretion, corporate liability, criminalization, and punishment.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Case and statute analysis assignment (1 × 15%) | 15.00% |
| Deliverable | Problem-based legal memorandum (1 × 20%) | 20.00% |
| Tutorial | Tutorial participation and preparation (1 × 10%) | 10.00% |
| Test | Mid-semester test (1 × 20%) | 20.00% |
| Exam | Final examination (1 × 35%) | 35.00% |
Prerequisites
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
