CRIJ110 Introduction to Criminal Law

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Criminal Justice

  1. Course Number and Title

    CRIJ110 Introduction to Criminal Law

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250

  4. Prerequisites

    CRIJ100 (C or better)

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    This course introduces students to the study of substantive criminal law. The major topics of study include the purposes of criminal law, the elements of crimes, defenses to crimes, criminal sanctions, and the principles of constitutional limits on criminal law.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. Course
        2. Students will:
        1. demonstrate an understanding of the nature, origin, purposes, and sanctions of substantive criminal law;
        2. demonstrate an understanding of the general principles of criminal law, elements of crimes, criminal defenses, parties to crime, types of crimes and constitutional limits on criminal law; and
        3. examine legal case studies within the court system by utilizing legal rules to solve legal problems.

      2. Core (if applicable)
        3. This course is not included in the Core.

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. the nature and limits of criminal law
      2. general principles of criminal liability-actusreus
      3. general principles of criminal liability-mensrea
      4. defenses to criminal liability-justifications
      5. defenses to criminal liability-excuses
      6. parties to crime and vicarious liability
      7. inchoate crimes
      8. criminal homicide
      9. criminal sexual conduct
      10. crimes against property
      11. crimes against public order and morals
      12. constitutional limits on criminal law
      13. examination of criminal sanctions
      14. examination of legal case studies within the court system and other topics as deemed appropriate

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

      1. Course
        2. The assessment of course learning goals is based on participation in classroom discussions, written exams, assignments, papers, and/or performance based tasks and projects.

      2. Core (if applicable)
        3. This course is not included in the Core.

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      See course format.

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Section VIII is not being used in new and revised syllabi as of 12/10/08.

Review/Approval Date -11/98; Revised 4/2011