The aim of this course is to provide an opportunity for students to:
- be familiar with the sentencing process and key theories, legal rules and policy issues relating to sentencing in Australia;
- consolidate and build upon the skills and knowledge gained during their study of Criminal Law and Procedure;
- be familiar with sentencing legislation and case law that guides the exercise of the sentencing discretion in State, Territory and Commonwealth jurisdictions;
- facilitate the development of oral and written presentation, discussion and argumentation skills in relation to sentencing law, process, policy and reform.
The course will take a practical, doctrinal, theoretical and critical approach to the study of sentencing law and practice in Australia. The course will familiarise students with legislation and case law that guides the exercise of the sentencing discretion in State, Territory and Commonwealth jurisdictions. A comparative approach will be adopted to facilitate a deeper analysis of emerging issues and core topics. Guest lectures and/or interviews may be offered. Topics will be selected from a range of aspects of sentencing law and practice which may include: theories of punishment, public opinion and public confidence, the role of victims in sentencing, purposes of sentencing, principles of sentencing; mitigating and aggravating factors, sentencing young offenders, sentencing Indigenous offenders, sentencing federal offenders, custodial sentencing, non-custodial sentencing, sentencing appeals as well as sentencing reform and innovation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Identify, explain, critically analyse and apply the sentencing law, purposes, principles and processes covered in the course;
- Explore and synthesise issues relating to sentencing law and practice and prepare oral and written arguments on the topic, issue or debate covered;
- Use legal research skills, and interdisciplinary research skills to, access a range of legal materials and other research materials in literature databases and other online sources;
- Synthesise and critically evaluate the theory, law and practice of sentencing, including arguments for reform and innovation;
Other Information
Classes may be offered in non-standard sessions and be taught on an intensive base with compulsory contact hours (a minimum of 36 hours). Please refer to the LLB timetable for dates. Please contact the ANU College of Law Student Administration Services to request a permission code to enrol in classes offered in non-standard sessions.
Indicative Assessment
- Online Multiple Choice Exam (10) [LO 1]
- Oral Presentation/Sentencing Submission (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Research Project (60) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
- Classes offered in non-standard sessions will be taught on an intensive base with compulsory contact hours (approximately 36 hours of face to face teaching). The course will also require advanced preparation through assigned readings. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
- Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have three contact hours per week. Students are generally expected to devote at least 10 hours overall per week to this course.
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Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Alternatively, this information will be published in the Program course list when known.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $4860 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $5820 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7435 | 24 Jul 2023 | 31 Jul 2023 | 31 Aug 2023 | 27 Oct 2023 | In Person | View |
