Criminal Law (SCALE)

The course explores the philosophical justifications for punishing individuals as well as the limitations on legislative power to define and punish criminal behavior. The primary focus of the course, however, is on the substantive aspects of criminal law.

Cases and statutes are studied to develop a critical understanding of the fundamental concepts of criminal responsibility which include mens rea, actus reus, and the principle of legality.

The course includes the study of some specific crimes such as homicide, rape and conspiracy, as well as the general principles of accessorial liability, justification and the impact of mental disease, intoxication, and mistake on criminal responsibility.