CRIJ 3326 - Criminal Law
Fall 2014 Syllabus
Professor: Jennifer Klein, Ph.D.
Email: jenniferklein@uttyler.edu
Office: BUS 229
Office Phone: (903) 565-5680
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10:00am – 1:00pm
Class Meeting Time: Thursday 6:00pm – 8:40pm
Course Objectives: This course is a study of substantive issues in criminal law.
Throughout the semester, we will be exploring the fundamental concepts and the
evolution of criminal law through the use of lecture materials and case briefings. In
addition, you will learn the elements of specific crimes and their related defenses.
Specific consideration will be given to the historical development of criminal law and the
constantly changing social and legal definitions of crime, and the nature of criminal
sanctions.
Course Materials:
1) REQUIRED Text: Lippman, Matthew. (2013). Essential Criminal Law. Thousand
Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
2) RECOMMENDED Reference Book: Black’s Law Dictionary.
3) Three full-size, completely blank bluebooks (examination booklets). These must
be brought with you, or you forfeit your ability to take the exams. There are no
exceptions to this requirement. Please plan ahead.
Course Policies
Class Conduct: This class will be conducted as close to a law school class as
possible. That means you should come prepared for class every time – readings read,
briefs prepared, and ready to answer my questions. I will use a soft version of the
Socratic method. If you all are not prepared then I will start calling students out.
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous manner, both in their
interactions with other students and with the professor. During this class you will
probably hear many differing views and opinions on different subjects; be open-minded
and courteous, as this is how you want to be treated when you speak in class. Rude
comments, note writing, reading the newspaper, sleeping, and other inappropriate
behavior will result in your being asked to leave the class. Please do not talk while
others are talking, do not read leisure material or other class material in class, do not go
on Facebook, do not listen to your iPod or iPad and TURN YOUR CELL PHONES OFF!
Be on time to class please! Since this is an evening class that only meets once a week,
it is important that we use the most of our time, every time. It is a pet peeve of mine
when students are late and interrupt the flow of class. If it is exam day, make sure that
you arrive on time or maybe even a few minutes early. If you late for the exam, you still
have until the end of the exam period like everyone else. I won’t give you extra time.
Do not leave lecture after breaks.
Technology: Like most law classes, all forms of technology are forbidden from class.
This means that you will not be allowed to use your laptop for taking notes. There will
be plenty of time during lecture and case brief presentations for you to be able to take
notes. I do not allow students to record my lectures (via video or audio recording)
unless they are given permission from the disabilities office. Therefore it is in your best
interest to attend class. I will not post my lectures on Blackboard before or after
classes.
Course Grade
Your course grade for the semester is dependent on the work that you put into the
class. I do not curve grades, no do I offer extra credit at the end of the semester.
Please do not ask for extra points at the end of the semester that would boost you to the
next letter grade – they will not be given.
This semester will be broken up into three units; each of which will conclude with an
exam. You will be responsible for the assigned readings. I will be giving five pop
quizzes throughout the semester to make sure that you prepared for the week. I will not
take attendance, but due to the small nature of the class I will be able to tell if you don’t
show up to class or if you decide to leave halfway through. I wouldn’t recommend either
option, as you will miss valuable class material.
Exams: You will have three written exams this semester. Each exam will be worth 100
points. They will take place in the beginning hour of class on the days listed in the class
schedule (see bottom of syllabus for details). You are required to bring one blank,
9x11” bluebook (it is the larger of the two available) with you on the day of the exam.
You can purchase them at the UT Tyler bookstore for about $.75. While you’re there,
just buy all 3 and save yourself a trip!
You will also be allowed a cheat sheet for the exam. This means that you may write as
much, or as little, as you want regarding the material – provided that it fits on the front
(ONLY) of a 3x5” index card. You will be required to turn the index card in with your
exam. If there is more information than just on one side, you will forfeit the exam and
will be given a zero in the grade book.
The exams will be in essay format. You will be given an offense scenario and several
follow-up questions. You will be required to write as much as is necessary to answer all
parts of the prompt. I will review this all with you again before the first exam, so that
everyone is clear as to how the format will be given. Makeup exams will only be given
with a medical note to excuse the student, and if the professor is informed within 2 days
of the exam that the student is ill.
Case Briefs: Every week, we will be reviewing state and US Supreme Court cases that
explain the topics covered it that week’s readings. Students will be assigned to
complete two case briefs throughout the semester. You will need to have your brief
done, and printed, before entering the classroom on the day that it is due. In addition to
having briefed the case, you will present the brief to the class. Following your short (2-3
minute) presentation, I will ask you follow-up questions. The more thorough your brief
is, the less that I will have to ask you.
If you have never completed a brief before this class, there is a how-to guide posted on
Blackboard. Although I know that no one in this class would ever do such a thing, there
are online briefs of these cases. Do not find them and plagiarize. I will know. If you
need help after reading the how-to guide, please come see me during office hours and I
will be glad to help you out. Each brief will be worth 25 points. If there is a conflict and
you cannot attend class, you are still responsible for getting the brief done and
submitted on time. You are also responsible for informing me about your absence.
Final Semester Paper: Additionally, you will have one final semester paper that you
will need to complete and turn in on November 13th at the beginning of class. You must
submit on Blackboard and in hardcopy form. Both need to be turned in, in order for your
paper to be graded. No late papers, no exceptions. They will be handed back the last
day of class, after you turn in your 3rd exam.
I will provide you the specifics requirements for this paper after your first exam.
However in short, this paper will be a minimum of 5 pages, must contain properly cited
references, and must be properly researched. Wikipedia is never a source and points
will be taken off for using it. This assignment is worth 50 points toward your final grade.
Quizzes: Finally, you will receive five pop quizzes throughout the semester in order to
increase the likelihood of you attending class. These can be given at the beginning or
end of class, or even after the mid-point break. That means if you show up, don’t leave
early. If I see people leaving early and I haven’t given a quiz yet, I might just administer
the quiz the moment the door closes behind you. So stay until the very end of class
please!
Each quiz will be worth 5 points (25 points total toward your final grade) and will consist
of 5 questions. The questions will either be True/False, multiple choice, or fill in the
blanks. They should not take long to complete, if you read the textbook. Quizzes are
not available as make-ups.
Final Grade
Your grade will consist of points awarded to the successful completion of the following
components:
 3 written exams (100 points each)
300 points
 2 case briefs (25 points each)
50 points
 1 final semester paper (50 points)
50 points
 5 random pop quizzes (5 points each)
25 points
(425 total points)
Letter Grades will be assigned as follows:
Total Points
Letter Grade
425 – 385
A
384.5 – 345
B
344.5 – 305
C
304.5 – 265
D
264.5 and below
E
Grade Points
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
University Policies and Procedures
Academic dishonesty is a violation of University policy and professional standards. If
compared to a violation of the criminal law, it would be classed as a felony. Academic
dishonesty is defined as cheating, plagiarism, or otherwise obtaining grades under false
pretenses. The penalty for academic dishonesty in this class will be no less than
immediate failure of the course and a permanent student record of the reason therefore.
In most cases, a written record of academic dishonesty or an instructor’s report of same
to an agency investigator during a background check will bar an individual from
employment by a criminal justice agency as it is considered indicative of subsequent
corrupt acts.
Make-up Exams: The University Catalog does not establish make-ups as a student
right. All exams are forecasted; therefore, no make-up opportunities are contemplated.
Opportunities to make-up missed examinations will be provided only for exceptional
reasons and must be documented (e.g., hospital records, obituaries). Make-up
examinations may be in forms completely different from original examinations and will
be scheduled at the convenience of the instructor.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) the University offers accommodations to
students with learning, physical and/or psychiatric disabilities. If you have a disability,
including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head
injury, PTSD or ADHD, or you have a history of modifications or accommodations in a
previous educational environment you are encouraged to contact the Student
Accessibility and Resources office and schedule an interview with the Accessibility
Case Manager/ADA Coordinator, Cynthia Lowery Staples. If you are unsure if the above
criteria applies to you, but have questions or concerns please contact the SAR office.
For more information or to set up an appointment please visit the SAR office located in
the University Center, Room 3150 or call 903.566.7079. You may also send an email to
cstaples@uttyler.edu
Student Rights, Responsibilities and Integrity: UT Tyler has detailed guidelines
regarding issues of integrity that ensure the quality of education provided by the
university. Consult the Student Handbook for details. To know and understand the
policies which affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler, please
follow this link: http://www2.uttyler.edu/wellness/rightsresponsibilites.php
Student Absence due to Religious Observance
Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are
requested to inform the instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the
semester.
Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities
If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event
sponsor) must notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned
absence. At that time the instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments
will be completed.
Social Security and FERPA Statement:
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of
social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that
all students have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g.,
via e-mail) risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will
not be transmitted electronically.
Email Policy:
I like to keep open lanes of communication between students and myself. If you need
to ask any questions or discuss anything class related, please do not hesitate to email
me or call me during office hours. As I said before, please include CRIJ 3326 in the
subject line so I know that it is class related. Please do not send any messages
through the Blackboard system itself since I do not spend the majority of my time on the
website. Also, it is polite to address your instructors by their chosen title. Do not email
and simply say “Hey,” as it does not make me the happiest of professors. Proper
introductions to emails and a little professionalism go along way with me and with all of
your other instructors and professors as well.
Date
Semester Schedule
Topic
Readings and
Assignments
August 28th
Syllabus
The Nature, Purpose and Function
Chapter 1 (pg. 1-20)
of Law
September 4th
Constitutional Limitations
Chapter 2 (pg. 21-43)
September 11th
Elements of Crimes
Chapter 3 (pg. 45-69)
Parties to Crime
Chapter 4 (pg. 71-82)
Attempt, Solicitation, and
Chapter 5 (pg. 83-104)
September 18th
Conspiracy
September 25th
Criminal Defense
Chapter 6 (pg. 105-142)
Exam 1
October 2nd
Homicide
Chapter 7 (pg. 145-166)
October 9th
Sex Crimes
Chapter 8 (pg. 167-194)
October 16th
Crimes Against Property
Chapter 9 (pg. 195-229)
October 23rd
White-Collar and Organized Crime
Chapter 10 (pg. 231-257)
Exam 2
October 30th
Public Order and Morality
Chapter 11 (pg. 259-281)
November 6th
Social Order and Morality
Chapter 12 (pg. 283-308)
November 13th
Crimes Against the State
Chapter 14 (pg. 333-353)
Semester Paper Due
(No late submissions)
November 20th
No Class (ASC Conference)
Prepare for your final exam! (It’s
going to be really tough!)
November 27th
No Class (Happy Thanksgiving!)
December 4th
Last Day of Class
No reading assignment
Exam 3
*Please note that this syllabus can be changed at the discretion of the professor. If
there are changes that must take place, I will alert you at the earliest chance and will
post a new version of the schedule on Blackboard.