Substantive criminal law in the United States. State and federal statutes and selected cases, with particular focus on the definition and classification of crime, the elements of crime, types of crime, and justifications and excuses related to criminal liability.
Athena Title
Criminal Law
Prerequisite
POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be introduced to the theories underlying American criminal law as well as the essential principles.
Students will explore some of the explanations for criminal punishment and the students will learn to apply legal rules to factual situations.
Students will examine and discuss other salient issues in contemporary criminal justice, public policy, and legal discourse.
Students will attain a basic understanding of criminal law and the rationales underlying criminal punishment.
Students will attain an ability to critically analyze legal case law and apply legal principles to factual situations.
Students will attain an ability to discuss legal and policy issues in a disciplined and cogent manner.
Topical Outline
Processes and Purposes
Sources and Limits of the Criminal Law
Mental State
The Act Requirement
Homicide: Using Mental State and Other Factors to Classify Crimes
Mental Disease or Defect
Alcoholism and Addiction: Intoxication; Immaturity
Justification and Excuse
Rape: The Dilemmas of Law Reform
Attempts
Conspiracy and Solicitation
Parties; Liability for the Conduct of Another
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
