Concepts of Criminal Law - TCSU CJ 120
Description
This course offers an analysis of the doctrines of criminal liability in the United States and the classification of crimes against persons, property, morals, and public welfare. Special emphasis is placed on the classification of crime, the general elements of crime, the definitions of common and statutory law, and the nature of acceptable evidence. This course utilizes case law and case studies to introduce students to criminal law. The completion of this course offers a foundation upon which upper-division criminal justice course will build. The course will also include some limited discussion of prosecution and defense decision making, criminal culpability, and defenses to crimes.
Recommended Preparation
Successful completion of the freshman writing requirement.
Prerequisites
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Minimum Unit Requirements
3 semester units
Course Topics
1. Historical Background of Criminal Law
2. Fundamentals of the Adversarial System
3. Criminal Law Classifications
4. Offenses Against Persons, Property, Morals, and Public Welfare
5. Criminal Defenses and Justifications
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Discuss the goals and characteristics of criminal law;
2. Explain the adversary system and sources of criminal law;
3. Discuss the philosophical and historical evolution of criminal law, noting the role of the judiciary in its development;
4. Know the basic terminology, definitions, and theories of criminal law;
5. Identify elements of offenses against the person, property, morals, and public welfare;
6. Classify crimes according to severity;
7. Explain the concept of lesser included offenses;
8. Explain capacity to commit crime, causation, and culpability;
9. Critically analyze various components of our system of criminal law;
10. Develop careful, thoughtful, insightful, and independent decisions as while participating in acts of voting, community and civic improvements, or policy decisions; and
11. Explain and discuss criminal defenses, legal justifications, and burdens of proof.
CAN Equivalent
CAN AJ 4 (Equivalency ends Fall 2009)
Descriptor PDF
Courses Approved (Coming Soon)
Back
Documents contained on this page require Adobe Reader to view. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download it free from the Adobe site.
.
|
