Criminal Law

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE IDENTIFICATION
Course Prefix/Number: CRIM 122
Course Title: Criminal Law
Division: Liberal Arts
Program: Criminal Justice
Credit Hours: 3
Initiation / Revision Date: Fall 2009
Assessment Goals per Outcome: 75%

CLASSIFICATION OF INSTRUCTION
Academic

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will introduce the student to the principles and fundamentals of criminal law and the criminal justice
system. Our focus will be on criminal liability, elements of a crime, possible defenses to that crime and the sanctions
imposed under the criminal law.

PREREQUISITES AND / OR COREQUISITES

None

TEXT

*The official list of textbooks and materials for this course are found on Inside NC.

Reid, Sue Titus. Criminal Law, 8th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0-19-538903-6.

OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA

Video Taped Materials
Internet Sites
Guest Lecturers

COURSE OUTCOMES
1. The student will become familiar with the methodological and theoretical practices in the criminal legal system.
a. Compare and contrast various roles in the legal system.
b. Dissect and analyze the internal workings of various legal roles
c. Develop an understanding of the systematic processes involved in a criminal prosecution

2. The student will be introduced to careers and professions in the legal system,
a. Law enforcement officer
b. Judges
c. Prosecutor
d. Defense Attorney

3. The student will become familiar with the elements of a crime, the legal theory behind criminal liability and the
possible legal defenses.
a. Common Law
b. Case Law
c. Statutes
d. Public Policy Arguments
e. Stare Decisis

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4. The student will become acquainted with the restraints and parameters one often finds when working in the
criminal justice system.
a. Laws governing
b. Precedents governing
c. Generally accepted policies and procedures

5. The student will become familiar with basic legal research

a. Reporters
b. Digests
c. Shepherds
d. Internet Sites

COURSE OUTLINE
A. An Introduction to Criminal Law
B. Elements of a Crime
C. Anticipatory Offenses and Parties to a Crime
D. Defenses to Criminal Culpability
E. Defenses to Criminal Culpability Part II
F. Criminal Homicide
G. Assault, Robbery, Rape and Crimes Against the Person
H. Property and Related Crimes
I. Crimes Against Public Order and Public Decency
J. Crimes Against the Government and Terrorism
K. Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking
L. Sentencing and the Criminal Law

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
1. Lectures
2. Assignments
3. Scheduled Examinations
4. Unannounced Examinations
5. Current topics, reports, articles, statutes, and laws relating to the criminal law will be given to the students for
discussion in class.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS AND METHOD OF EVALUATION

Evaluation of student performance is based primarily upon results of announced and unannounced examinations and
assignments as well as class participation. Students should report for class having read the assigned text and be
prepared to participate in class discussions of the material.

GRADING SCALE
The following scale will be used in determining grades for examinations, assignments and a final grade:

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

CHAPMAN LIBRARY
Reference materials, periodicals, Kansas statutes as well as numerous criminal justice internet sites are all available for
your research and use. Students will receive instruction in class on basic legal research both in hardbacks and on the
internet. The staff at Chapman Library will assist you in finding materials either on site, through the internet or
through interlibrary loans.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Absences that occur due to students participating in official college activities are excused except in those cases where
outside bodies, such as the State Board of Nursing, have requirements for minimum class minutes for each student.
Students who are excused will be given reasonable opportunity to make up any missed work or receive substitute
assignments from the instructor and should not be penalized for the absence. Proper procedure should be followed in
notifying faculty in advance of the student’s planned participation in the event. Ultimately it is the student’s
responsibility to notify the instructor in advance of the planned absence.

Unless students are participating in a school activity or are excused by the instructor, they are expected to attend class.
If a student’s absences exceed one-hundred (100) minutes per credit hour for the course or, in the case of on-line or
other non-traditional courses, the student is inactive for one-eighth of the total course duration, the instructor has the
right, but is not required, to withdraw a student from the course. Once the student has been dropped for excessive
absences, the registrar’s office will send a letter to the student, stating that he or she has been dropped. A student may
petition the chief academic officer for reinstatement by submitting a letter stating valid reasons for the absences within
one week of the registrar’s notification. If the student is reinstated into the class, the instructor and the registrar will be
notified.

Academic Integrity

NCCC expects every student to demonstrate ethical behavior with regard to academic pursuits. Academic integrity in
coursework is a specific requirement. Definitions, examples, and possible consequences for violations of Academic
Integrity, as well as the appeals process, can be found in the College Catalog, Student Handbook, and/or Code of
Student Conduct and Discipline.

Cell Phone Policy

Student cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class times. Faculty may approve an exception for special
circumstances.

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT GAIN

The instructor will determine each student’s gain or weakness by administering a pre-test and a post-test, then
comparison of those results will be conducted. Additionally, the instructor will compare each student’s percentage
with that of the other students accomplishing the same objective based upon examinations, class participation and
assignments.

NOTE: Information and statements in this document are subject to change at the discretion of NCCC. Changes will
be in writing and made available to students at the time they become effective.

NOTE: If you are a student with a disability who may need accommodation(s) under the

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please notify the Dean of Student Development,
Chanute Campus, Student Union, 620-431-2820, Ext. 213., or the Dean, Ottawa Campus,
785-242-2607 ext 312, as soon as possible. You will need to bring your documentation for
review in order to determine reasonable accommodations, and then we can assist you in
arranging any necessary accommodations.

LATE WORK AND MAKE-UP POLICIES

Unless other arrangements are made in advance and approved by the instructor, the following policies apply to
all students.

1. All students are required to take the mid-term and final examinations at the scheduled time. Failure to take the
mid-term examination and /or the final examination at the scheduled time will result in the student receiving a
zero (0) credit. There will be no exceptions granted unless special arrangements are made in advance and
approved by the instructor.
2. All assignments are due at the next class. If a student is absent, then the next class after the student returns. No
credit will be given for work turned in after the deadline.
3. It is the student’s responsibility to make-up all work missed.
4. The instructor may assign work to be completed in class or give an unannounced quiz. Credit for this work will
be given only to those students who are present. Students who are absent will not be allowed to make-up the
assignment or quiz.

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