Fundamentals of Criminal Law Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

CRIJ-1310-001 Fundamentals of Criminal Law

Prerequisites

Course Description

This course is the study of criminal law including application of definitions, statutory elements, defenses and penalties using Texas statutes, the Model Penal Code and case law. The course also analyzes the philosophical and historical development of criminal law and criminal culpability.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Hall, Daniel E. and Schmalleger, Frank Criminal Law Today, 5^th Edition. (2014).

Supplies

N/A

Student Performance

Student Performance / Learning Objectives

1. Discuss the concepts of a criminal versus civil law.
2. Evaluate the application of constitutional protections in the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.
3. Comprehend the common elements of fundamental crimes.
4. Identify the various theories of criminal sanctions.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

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

1. Be in class on time, stay until the class is over.
2. All cell phones, or other electronic communications devices, except laptops used solely for class note taking / presentations are to be turned off.
3. All students utilizing lap tops must sit on the front row and are subject to viewing by the instructor.
4. Sleeping in class is unacceptable and will result in a rude awaking as well as loss of participation points.
5. Come to class prepared.
6. Common respect and courtesy toward the instructor and fellow students is required.  You are not required to agree with the ideas or opinions of others but you are required to show respect to any person voicing them.
7.  Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero, removal from class and referral to the college administration.
8. Most importantly, come prepared to ask questions and offer ideas.
9. Any problems with the material or class should be brought to the instructor’s attention as soon as possible.
10. Recording of the instruction is permitted but the instructor reserves all rights and replay, publishing, uttering otherwise conveying the recording or its contents without prior written consent is prohibited. 

Grading Criteria

Homework Assignments: Homework assignments will be given at various times during the semester.  All instructions for assignments, including the due date, will be discussed in class at the time the assignment is given.

Late assignments will NOT be accepted.  If you fail to turn your assignment in on the specified date, you will receive a grade of zero.

All homework assignments will be averaged together for a cumulative grade that will comprise twenty percent (20%) of your final grade for the course.

Weekly Vocabulary Assignments: Each week vocabulary words will be assigned. They are to be returned at the beginning of class the following with the definitions for each word attached.

All vocabulary assignments will be averaged together for a cumulative grade that will comprise ten percent (10%) of your final grade for the course.

Chapter Exams:  There will be three chapter exams.  They will cover assigned reading, lectures, guest speakers, discussions and videos for the specified time period.  The exam dates are listed on the class calendar.

All make-up exams will be given on November 19, 2015 between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  If an exam has to be made up, the maximum grade you will be eligible to make is an 85.

Chapter exam grades will be averaged together for a cumulative exam average that will comprise thirty percent (30%) of your final grade for the course.

Participation/Attendance: Attendance will be taken each class period.  An attendance grade will be given based on the corresponding number of absences:

Perfect Attendance:    A+        (100)

1 absence:                   A          (95)

2 absences:                 B          (85)

3 absences:                 C          (75)

4 absences                  D          (65)

5 absences                  F          for the course.

There will be no excused absences. If you arrive late to class, it is your responsibility to make sure I’ve marked you present, otherwise the absence will stand. Arriving late or leaving early which results in you being present in the classroom for less than 1 ½ hours will be counted as an absences

While attendance is mandatory, participation is also required.  You should come prepared to participate in class discussions and role playing. Lack of participation or obvious lack of preparation will drop your attendance grade by fifteen (15) points.

Attendance/Participation will comprise ten percent (10%) of your total grade for the course.

Final Exam:  The final exam will be administered per the “Final Exam Schedule”, as posted toward the end of the semester.  It will be a comprehensive exam and will comprise thirty percent (30%) of your total grade for the course.

Grading Scale

A (100-90)       B (89-80)         C (79-70)         D (69-60)         F (59-0)

Attendance

The student is responsible for attendance. Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  While the text and associated written material will provide essential information for successful test performance, the majority of the material on the tests will come during classroom lectures / discussions.  If conflicts of schedule, lack of interest in the class or other issues arise, it is the student’s responsibility to drop the course or withdraw from the college. Your instructor cannot do this for you.  Failure to drop the course within the time frames established by the college will result in the student receiving a failing performance grade.

Students with five (5) or more absences will automatically receive a grade of “F” for the course, regardless of the grade average at the time of the fifth absence.

Calendar

Additional Information

No additional information available