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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS:  Criminal Law

Course Title:	CJ425 - Criminal Law
Department:	Criminal Justice
Instructor:	T. Elizabeth Stetson, JD Contact - Vita
Prerequisites:	None

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE:

This course is an introduction to criminal law. It is not designed for those planning a career as an attorney, but rather is designed for those planning a career as a criminal justice professional. Criminal law varies significantly from state to state. The course is designed to provide an introduction to the most prevalent criminal law theories and authorities, while also providing an introduction to the criminal law statutes of the jurisdiction in which the student plans to work as a criminal justice professional.

REQUIREMENTS:    Online Bookstore

1. Readings. The required text is Criminal Law, Sixth Edition, by Sue Titus Reid. The text is published by McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages (/ McGraw-Hill Higher Education), 2003/2004, ISBN: 007282008X.  Students will also be required to obtain a copy of the Penal Code for the jurisdiction in which they plan to work as a criminal justice professional.

2. Exams/Papers. Students will be required to complete twelve open-book short answer exams.

3. Class Project. Students will be required to complete one class project. The project will entail comparing selected criminal law statutes of the jurisdiction in which they plan to work as a criminal justice professional to the criminal law theories and authorities discussed in the text.

4. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:

Exams/Papers = 70 points (Seven points for each of 10 exams/papers)
Class Project = 30 points

5. Grading Scale.

90 - 100 points	= A Excellent
80 - 89 points	= B Above Average
70 - 79 points	= C Average
60 - 69 points	= D Below Average
59 points or Below	= F Failing Grade

TOPICS:

One -- An Introduction to Criminal Law

Two -- Elements of a Crime

Three -- Anticipatory Offenses and Parties to Crimes

Four -- Defenses to Criminal Culpability: Part I

Five -- Defenses to Criminal Culpability: Part II

Six -- Criminal Homicide

Seven -- Assault, Robbery, Sex and Other Crimes

Eight -- Property and Related Crimes

Nine -- Crimes against Public Order, Morality, and the Administration of Government

Ten -- Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking