Fundamentals of Criminal Law Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

CRIJ-1310-003 Fundamentals of Criminal Law

Prerequisites

Course Description

Nature of criminal law; philosophical and historical development; major definitions and concepts; classification of crime; elements of crimes and penalties using Texas statutes as illustrations; criminal responsibility.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Criminal Law Today, 4th edition. (2010) by Schmalleger, Frank with Hall, Daniel E. and Dolatowski, John J..  ISBN-10: 0135042615

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Supplies

Student Performance

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1. \ Define criminal law and explain the significance of each of the definition's components.
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2. \ Identify the purposes served by criminal law.
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3. \ Expound upon the "rule of law" and explain why due process is an integral part of the rule of law.
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4. \ Define actus reus, and define its basic elements; expound upon the concept of mens rea and describe the diferent levels or types of mens rea under the common law and the Model Penal Code.
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5. \ Explain the concept of corpus delicti.
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6. \ Distinguish between causation in fact and proximate cause.
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7. \ Illustrate the nature of an ex post facto law and explain why our legal system does not permit the creation of ex post facto criminal laws.
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8. \ Explain why it is necessary that an offender take a "substantial step" toward the commission of a crime before mere plans become a criminal attempt.
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9. \ Explain the purpose of a defense to a criminal charge and the nature of affirmative defenses.
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10. \ Illustrate the difference between justifications and excuses, and give examples of justifications that might serve as defenses.
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11. \ Describe syndome-based defenses, and provide some examples of this type of defense.
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12. \ Explain the difference between a finding of NGRI and one of GBMI.
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13. \ Distinguish betweent he varoius legal "tests" for assessing insanity.
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14. \ Distinguish noncriminal homicide from criminal homicide.
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15. \ Identify and describe three types of criminal homicide.
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16. \ Explain the concept of malice aforethought.
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17. \ Explain the difference between the common law crimes of assault and battery.
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18. \ Explain the difference between common law rape and modern statutes describing sexual assault.
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19. \ Understand the differences between larceny and embezzlement, and tell why they are important.
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20. \ Distinguish between extortion, robbery and burglary.
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21. \ Identify the common elements of modern-day arson statutes and distinguish the modern definition from the common law definition.
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22. \ Identify the three categories of social-order crimes and explain how they differ from one another.
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23. \ Summarize the differences between perjury, bribery, and contempt, and explain how criminal contempt differs from civil contempt.
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24. \ Define and distinguish terrorism, treason and sedition.
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25. \ Describe victimless crimes, and provide examples therein.
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26. \ Explain what is meant by victims' rights, and assess whether today's crime victims have sufficient rights.
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27. \ List and explain the purposes of criminal sentencing, and identify the sentencing strategies that are most closely associated with each purpose.
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28. \ Summarize the features of three-strikes laws, and expound upon their relative effectiveness.
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29. \ Explain how habeas corpus appeals are limited in capital cases, and provide the rationale underlying such limitations.
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30. \ Describe how the purposes of criminal sentencing are served by indeterminate and determinate sentencing strategies, and explain which strategy is most appropriate today.
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\ This course will be guided by meeting the above referenced Student Performance objectives. At the end of the semester, students are expected to have a basic understanding of the field of criminal law and the essential elements therein.
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Students Rights and Responsibilities

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If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

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1. \ The workload for this course will require due diligence and integrity on students' part.
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2. \ Log into the class on a daily basis to check for class announcements & emails and ensure understanding of all applicable due dates.
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3. \ Complete all assigned reading. This is imperative for successful completion of the course.
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4. \ At times, the discussion board topics will address sensitive subjects and students must remember to conduct themselves in a respectful and courteous manner. All students are entitled to their opinions.and certainly aren’t required to agree with another student’s opinion. However, disagreements can be cited in an appropriate manner.
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5. \ Snipes, inappropriate language or racial slurs will in no way, shape or form be tolerated during discussions or within email content.
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6. \ Only those individuals who are registered in the course are allowed to make posts on the discussion boards or send email within the course.
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7. \ Cheating will not be tolerated. Cases of academic dishonesty will be dealt with on a case by case basis and will generally result in a grade of zero or removal from the course.
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Grading Criteria

\ Homework  [30% of cumulative grade]

\ Quizzes [20% of cumulative grade]

\ Discussion Assignments [20% of cumulative grade]

\ Exams [30% of cumulative grade]
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\ Students will  be required to turn in assignments on the specified dates, as referenced on the class calendar. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Attendance

\ REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY FOR SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT. THEREFORE, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO ATTEND CLASS.

\ It is the student’s responsibility to drop a course or withdraw from the college. Failure to drop the course within a timely manner will result in the student receiving a performance grade, usually an “F”.

\ Consistent and adequate involvement in an online class is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to check course postings and emails on a daily basis, follow the prescribed timeline for assignments and exams, etc. If a student is having difficulty with any portion of this course, they should contact the instructor via email, phone, or in person, immediately.
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Calendar

Additional Information

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