CRJ5456 CRIMINAL LAW
3 Credit Hours
Student Level:
This course is open to students on the college level in their freshman or sophomore years.
Catalog Description:
CRJ5456 - Criminal Law (3 hrs)
This course examines the history, scope, and nature of law. It focuses on the parties to a crime; classification of offenses; criminal acts and intent; the capacity to commit crime; and criminal defenses. It will cover the elements of misdemeanor and felony crimes.
Prerequisites:
None
Controlling Purpose:
This course will enable the student to examine the history, scope and nature of our criminal laws. It will focus on several aspects of criminal law including the parties to a crime; classification of offenses; criminal acts and intent; the capacity to commit crime; and criminal defenses. It will cover the elements of misdemeanor and felony crimes.
Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to.
- Apply substantive and procedural law to practical situations.
- Demonstrate ethics, integrity, teamwork and professionalism.
Course Competencies include:
- Outline the basic tenets from which criminal law is derived.
- Use legal terminology.
- Interpret principles of inchoate crimes; attempt, conspiracy, and solicitation.
- Compare crimes against public order, morals, and the state.
- Illustrate the general principles of criminal liability.
- Summarize the nature and limitations of defense to criminal liability.
- Compare crimes against persons.
- Examine the limitations of constitutional law.
- Explain vicarious liability and parties to crime.
- Compare crimes against property.
Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:
The following defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other content as time allows.
UNIT 1: Sources of Criminal Law
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to describe, identify, and explain basic concepts associated with the development of criminal law.
- Discuss the historical development of criminal law.
- Explain the concepts of law and punishment.
- Explain the differences between morals and laws.
- Discuss the classification of crimes.
- Describe the basic governmental powers associated with the law.
UNIT 2: Limitations on Criminal Liability
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to recognize and explain limitations put in place in the law for the protection of all.
- List the Amendments to the Bill of Rights and what each Amendment pertains to.
- Discuss the concept of Due Process.
- Discuss equal protection under the law.
- Describe the concept of jurisdiction.
- Explain the concept of double jeopardy.
UNIT 3: Basic Requirements of a Criminal Act
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to describe, identify, and explain differences between the different types of inchoate crimes as well as identify the elements of a crime.
- Identify the elements of Actus Reus and Mens Rea and distinguish between them.
- Discuss joinder of intent vs, act as well as presumptions.
- Explain inchoate crimes.
- Compare and contrast inchoate crimes.
UNIT 4: Defenses
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to describe, identify, and explain the different styles of defenses used by defendants in criminal court.
- Explain the concept of criminal responsibility.
- Discuss the differences between justification and excuse as they pertain to defenses.
- Discuss procedural defenses.
UNIT 5: Homicide
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to describe, identify, and explain the different criminal charges that are involved in taking of another person’s life. The student will be able to differentiate between the elements of the different charges.
- Explain the concept of homicide.
- Explain the concept of murder.
- List the different types of manslaughter.
- Discuss the complexities and problems of homicide criminal cases.
UNIT 6: Crimes Against Persons
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to describe, identify, and explain several of the common crimes against persons and the elements of those crimes.
- Compare and contrast the different types of sex offenses.
- Discuss and explain the elements of kidnapping.
- Explain what constitutes stalking.
- Compare and contrast assault and battery.
- Discuss and explain robbery and the elements to make an offense aggravated.
UNIT 7: Crimes Against Property
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to describe, identify, and explain several of the common crimes against property.
- List and explain the different types of theft.
- Discuss Forgery and its impact on our economy.
- Discuss the growing problem of identity theft and its consequences.
- Discuss counterfeiting.
- Explain money laundering.
Projects Required:
General coursework
Textbook:
Contact Bookstore for current textbook.
Materials/Equipment Required:
Attendance Policy:
Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Grading Policy:
The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Maximum class size:
Based on classroom occupancy
Course Timeframe:
The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.
Refer to the following policies:
402.00 Academic Code of Conduct
263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades
403.00 Student Code of Conduct
Disability Services Program:
Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability. If a student has a disability, which may impact work in this class which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.
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