CCJ 310/PARL 315 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL LAW Spring

CCJ 310/PARL 315
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL LAW
Spring 2015
Day:
Time:
Location:
Wednesdays
6:00-8:30 p.m.
Faner Hall 1326
Instructor:
Office Hours:
E-mail:
Angela Rollins, J.D.
By Appointment Only (call 618-713-7298 to set up time)
[email protected]
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES: This course provides a general understanding of
common criminal law concepts. The objectives of the course are to familiarize you with the general
principles that apply to all criminal offenses, and the specific elements of particular crimes that
prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Students will learn to apply criminal law basics to
real-life situations.
Consistent with the course objectives, this course focuses on the concepts of actus reus, mens rea,
concurrence, causation, and harmful result; the defenses of justification and excuse; the doctrines of
complicity and inchoate (unfinished) crimes; and the elements of the major crimes against persons,
property, and habitation.
By the end of the course, each student should understand the following principles:
1. We punish people for what they do, not for what they intend to do or for who they are; only
voluntary conduct is punishable.
2. Serious crimes require not only a criminal act, but a blameworthy state of mind—either purpose,
knowledge, recklessness, or negligence.
3. Justifications free defendants from punishment because they prove the defendants aren’t
blameworthy; excuses free them because they prove the defendants aren’t responsible.
4. Complicity makes one liable for the acts of another because of one’s own participation; vicarious
liability makes one liable for the acts of another because of one’s relationship.
5. Inchoate offenses are separate crimes for trying to commit a crime (attempt), agreeing to commit
a crime (conspiracy), or trying to get someone else to commit a crime (solicitation).
COURSE TEXTBOOK: Samaha, J. (2011). Criminal Law (10th Edition). Belmont, CA: Cengage
Advantage Books.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The following tasks constitute course requirements. Except in unexpected,
rare, emergency circumstances—e.g., serious illness, death in the family, or car accident—there are no
make-ups. A request for a make-up on account of an emergency must be e-mailed to me within two
school days after the missed requirement.
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Tests: (60% of your grade): There are two tests worth 300 points each. Each test may consist of
multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions. The dates for these tests are listed in the
course schedule

Final Exam (30 % of your grade): The final exam may consist of multiple choice, true/false, short
answer and essay questions (300 points total). The date/time of the final is listed in the course
schedule below.

Case Brief & Class Presentation (10% of your grade): Each student will be assigned at least one
case from the textbook. The student will be required to complete a one-page case brief and
present the case in class.
COURSE GRADES: Letter grades will be assigned using the following grade scale:
A
B
C
D
F
900 - 1000 points
800 - 899 points
700 - 799 points
600 - 699 points
fewer than 600 points
ATTENDANCE: I will pass an attendance sheet at the beginning of every class. It is your responsibility
to sign the attendance sheet. If you leave class early I may remove your name from the attendance sheet.
Any student that misses more than two classes will be subject to a whole letter grade reduction.
COURSE POLICIES: Students shall comply with the Student Conduct Code. Incidents of plagiarism or
other forms of academic dishonesty may result in an F for the assignment, an F for the course, and/or a
report to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
To get the most out of the course, and to earn a better grade, you are encouraged to:



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Attend class regularly.
Read the assignments before coming to class.
Take careful notes in class and over the readings, and review them regularly.
Ask questions.
COURSE SCHEDULE: The schedule on the following pages indicates what we will be doing, and when
we will be doing it. All topics and dates are tentative and subject to change. Any changes will be
announced in class in advance.
Date
Week 1
Jan. 21
Week 2
Jan. 28
Week 3
Feb. 4
Week 4
Feb. 11
Week 5
Feb. 18
Week 6
Feb. 25
Discussion Topics
Syllabus, Course Overview,
Introduction
Criminal Law and Criminal
Punishment: Overview
Constitutional Limits on
Criminal Law
Actus Reus
Reading Assignments
Mens Rea, Concurrence,
Causation, and Ignorance and
Mistake
EXAM: Chapters 1 – 4
VIDEO
Chapter 4
2
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Week 7
Mar. 4
Week 8
Mar. 18
Week 9
Mar. 25
Week 10
Apr. 1
Week 11
Apr. 8
Week 12
Apr. 15
Week 13
Apr. 22
Week 14
Apr. 29
Week 15
May 6
Defense: Justification
Chapter 5
SPRING BREAK
Mar. 7 -15
Defense: Excuse
Chapter 6
Parties to Crime and Vicarious
Liability
Inchoate Crimes: Attempt,
Conspiracy, and Solicitation
EXAM: Chapters 5 – 8
VIDEO
Crimes Against Persons: Murder
and Manslaughter
Chapter 7
Crimes Against Person:
Criminal Sexual Conduct,
Bodily Injury, and Personal
Restraint
Crimes Against Property
Chapter 10
Crimes Against Public Order
and Morals
Chapter 12
FINAL EXAM – Chapters 9 – 13
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
2
3
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 11