LAW1114 Criminal law 1
Faculty of Law
LAW1114 Criminal law 1 is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Law, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 2 units, leading on to 4 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before LAW1114
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
After LAW1114
2 units list LAW1114 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
The unit introduces the general doctrines, principles and aims of the criminal law and criminal justice system, introduces the roles of civil and criminal laws in relation to harms to the person, and examines the law relating to fatal and non-fatal offences against people. It analyses sentencing and access to compensation for victims of crime.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus, block |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus, block |
Assessment
- Multiple choice quizQuiz / Test20%
- Group written assignmentWritten20%
- Final examExamination60%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Critically evaluate the purpose and scope of criminal laws with reference to theories of criminal justice and broader theoretical and comparative perspectives.
- 2
Research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues and effectively communicate the results.
- 3
Recognise and reflect on the professional responsibilities of lawyers to justice and to the community.
- 4
Select, analyse, interpret and apply criminal law doctrines and principles to generate appropriate responses to simulated legal problems.
- 5
Communicate and present criminal law ideas effectively and persuasively to specified audiences in a format appropriate to criminal law practice.
- 6
Collaborate and communicate effectively to a range of audiences.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops18 hours
- Workshops18 hours
- Tutorials6 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
Learning resources
Required resources
See the Moodle unit page for prescribed and recommended resources. Prescribed texts are usually available for purchase through the University Bookstore and are sometimes available for short-term loan or as eBooks through the library.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Ms Rachel Kessel
- Mr Antony Colafella
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for LAW1114?
None, but you must take LAW1111 before or alongside it.
What can I take after LAW1114?
LAW1114 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including LAW4327 and LAW4332. Those lead on to 4 units in all.
When is LAW1114 offered?
In 2026, LAW1114 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is LAW1114?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does LAW1114 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.