Fundamentals of Criminal Law Syllabus for 2022-2023
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Instructor Information

Office Hours

Since I am a part time instructor I do not have an office. We can meet on the phone or on Zoom if needed. Email me or call me at 806-421-6171 for a conference.

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

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Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

CRIJ-1310-020 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.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Contemporary Criminal Law, 6th edition by Matthew Lippman, Sage Pubications, Inc.

a copy of the Texas Penal Code, 2020 (the Amarillo College Bookstore has copies, however you may use a free internet copy by looking online and clicking on this link: (https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=PE)

Supplies

A computer hard wired to high speed internet service with speakers and a camera.

Student Performance

Act like an adult who is in college.

All tests must be taken the day they are scheduled. There will be no make up tests given.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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

Please act like an adult who is going to college. For Zoom Class Meetings please be in a quiet place, free of distractions, no children, pets, radios or tvs on. Please check in at least 5 minutes before the Zoom Class Meeting starts.

Grading Criteria

Each test including the Final Exam will be 12.5% of your grade, times 8 tests equals 100%.

Attendance

You must attend each Zoom meeting lecture. Attendence will be taken. Failing to attend class will negatively effect your grade. Attending all Zoom Class Meetings will cause points to be added to your final grade.

Calendar

                         Fundamentals of Criminal Law

                            Fall I, 2022 Class Schedule

  1. August 22   Zoom Class meeting – lecture  Chapters 1, 2, & 3; Texas Penal

Code Chapter 12-Punishments

  1. August 26  *Test Chapters 1, 2, & 3; Texas Penal Code Chapter 12-  Punishments on Blackboard Content all day
  2. August 29   Zoom Class meeting - lecture Chapters 4 & 5; Texas Penal

Code Chapter 6 - Culpability Generally

  1. Sept 2  *Test Chapters 4 & 5; Texas Penal Code Chapter 6-

Culpability Generally on Blackboard Content all day

  1. Sept 5          NO CLASS -  LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
  2. Sept 12        Zoom Class meeting - lecture Chapters 6, 7, & 8; Texas Penal Code Chapter 7 – Criminal Responsibility for Conduct of Another
  3. Sept 16    *Test Chapters 6, 7, & 8 on Blackboard, Texas Penal Code  Chapter 7 – Criminal Responsibility on Blackboard Content  all day
  4. Sept 19  Zoom Class meeting – lecture Chapters 9 & 10; Texas Penal

Chapter 8 - General Defenses to Criminal Responsibility, Chapter 19 - Criminal Homicide

  1. Sept 23  *Test Chapters 9 & 10 Texas Penal Chapter 8 – General Defenses to Criminal Responsibility, Chapter 19 - Criminal Homicide on Blackboard Content all day
  2.  Sept 26  Zoom Class meeting - lecture Chapters 11 & 12; Texas Penal

Code, Chapter 20 - Kidnapping, Unlawful Restraint, Chapter 21 - Sexual Offenses, Chapter 22 - Assaultive Offenses; Chapter 28 – Arson, Criminal Mischief & other property damage; Chapter 30 – Burglary & Criminal Trespass

  1.  Sept 30   *Test Chapters 11 &12, Texas Penal Code, Chapter 20 - Kidnapping, Unlawful Restraint, Chapter 21 - Sexual        Offenses, Chapter 22 - Assaultive Offenses; Chapter 28 –        Arson, Criminal Mischief & other property damage;                 Chapter 30 – Burglary & Criminal Trespasson Blackboard Content all day
  2.  Oct 3 Zoom Class meeting - lecture Chapters 13,14 & 15; Texas Penal

Code Chapter 31-Theft, Chapter 32-Fraud (forgery) (credit/debit card abuse) & Texas Penal Code Chapter 42, Disorderly Conduct

  1.  Oct 7  *Test Chapters 13&14, *Test Chapter 15; Texas Penal Code  

Chapter 31-Theft, Chapter 32-Fraud (forgery) (credit/debit           card abuse) & Chapter 42, Disorderly Conduct on Blackboard Content all day

  1.  Oct 13  *Test Final Exam on Blackboard Content all day

Additional Information

When you log in for the Zoom Class or take a test please use Firefox or Chrome as your browser and USE A HARD-WIRED INTERNET CONNECTION, not a wireless one, TO CONNECT TO BLACKBOARD.

Wireless connections have a greater chance of you being disconnectioned.

Contact me if you have any questions by my AC email d0235165@actx.edu or at my phone number 806-421-6171.

Syllabus Created on:

08/20/22 12:20 PM

Last Edited on:

08/23/22 8:24 AM