CJ& 110: Criminal Law

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Class Program
Criminal Justice
Distribution
Specified Elective
Credits 5 Lecture Hours 55
This course is designed as an introduction into the study of criminal law and will review the difference between crimes against property, crimes against public, and crimes against a person. This course will study the various mental states required for criminal responsibility and those defenses used in a criminal trial, along with definitions, classifications, elements, and penalties of crime and criminal responsibility.

Prerequisites

Completion of CJ& 101 or Instructor Permission
Quarters Offered
Winter
Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:

  1. Identify major concepts, definitions, classifications, elements, and criminal responsibility.
  2. Summarize and explain the history, development, and evolution of criminal laws in the United States.
  3. Describe the relationship between Mens Rea, Actus Reus, and Concurrence.
  4. Examine the Model Penal Code and the elements of crimes.
  5. Compare the four levels of mens rea (mental state) and evaluate when/if society should punish criminal acts committed by persons.
  6. Examine and apply the general defenses available to criminal defendants.
  7. Apply the constitutional safeguards and procedural protections for the accused.
  8. Identify the major differences between civil law and criminal law
  9. Be able to differentiate crimes against persons, crimes against property, and public order and morals crimes.
Institutional Outcomes
IO1 Communication: Students will be able to execute effective oral and written communication skills related to their discipline (e.g., report writing).
IO2 Quantitative Reasoning: Students will be able to execute mathematical reasoning using methods appropriate to the profession.
Course Content Outline
  1. Foundations And Elements Of Criminal Law
  2. Defenses
  3. Crimes Against Persons
  4. Crimes Against Property
  5. Other Crimes
Department Guidelines
PO4, PO7, and PO9 should be assessed.