BROOKHAVEN COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
FUNDAMENTALS OF CRIMINAL LAW -- CRIJ 1310
Course CRIJ 1310, Spring 2016 (3 credit hours)
Section 23001, Room K246
MW 9:00 am – 10:20 am
Catalog Course Description CRIJ 1310
Instructor: David Griggs
E-mail: dgriggs@dcccd.edu
Availability: after class or arranged
CRIJ – 1310 Fundamentals of Criminal Law (3)
This is a Texas Common Course Number
A study of the nature of criminal law is presented. The philosophical and historical development of criminal law is covered. Major definitions and concepts are given. The classification of crime is covered.
The elements of crimes and penalties are discussed using Texas statutes as illustrations. Criminal responsibility is defined. (3 Lec.) Prerequisite: None
Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 2201015324
Course Objectives/Rationale
Each student should gain a better understanding of the history and development of Criminal Law and the elements of black letter law in the United States and Texas.
Core curriculum Intellectual Competencies for CRIJ 1310:
Reading the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials – books, documents, and articles –at college level.
Writing the ability to produce clear, correct and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion and audience –at college level.
Critical thinking the ability to analyze information, identify key components, examining each and synthesizing one’s thoughts in written or spoken language.
Exemplary Educational Objectives for CRIJ 1310:
To examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods, social structures and cultures.
To use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
To recognize and assume one’ responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society by learning to think for oneself, by engaging in public discourse, and obtaining information through the news media and other appropriate sources about public policy.
To identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures.

Textbook
Required text:
Gardner and Anderson, Criminal Law , 12 th Edition (2015); IBSN- 978-1-285-45841-0
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
EXAM I
Chapter 1: Criminal Law: Purposes, Scope, and Sources, p. 2
Chapter 2: Jurisdiction, p. 34
Chapter 3: Essential Elements of a Crime, p. 52
Chapter 4: Criminal Liability, p. 84
Chapter 5: Criminal Responsibility and the Capacity to Commit a Crime, p. 110
Chapter 6: The Law Governing the Use of Force, p. 136
Chapter 7: Other Criminal Defenses, p. 162
EXAM II
Chapter 8: Criminal Punishments, p. 196
Chapter 9: Free Speech, Street Crimes, and the Bill of Rights, p. 226
Chapter 10: Homicide, p. 258
Chapter 11: Assault, Battery, and Other Crimes Against the Person, p. 290
Chapter 12: Sexual Assault, Rape, Prostitution, and Related Sex Crimes, p. 322
EXAM III
Chapter 13: Theft, p. 358
Chapter 14: Robbery and Burglary, p. 388
Chapter 15: White Collar Crime, Cyber Crime, and Commercial Crime, p. 414
Chapter 16: Drug Abuse and Alcohol-Related Crimes, p. 444
Chapter 17: Terrorism, p. 472
Chapter 18: Organized Crime and Gangs, p. 494
Chapter 19: Immigration Crimes, Contempt, and Other Crimes Against Government 520
Additional handouts and reading assignments may be given out during the semester. However, you will not be required to purchase any additional material


Grading
Exams will not be cumulative. They will cover only the material listed above for the part of the course we are studying. Students are required to purchase their own scantrons, if needed.
Exams will count as follows:
EXAM I – 33%
EXAM II – 33%
EXAM III -- 33%
90 – 100 = A
80 – 89 = B
70 – 79 = C
60 – 69 = D
59 and Below = F
A term paper, presentation to the class on a relevant topic of your choice, or other class project is not required, but may be submitted for extra credit. The grade assigned the project or paper will be averaged as the fifth grade, along with the test grades. This and other options for extra credit will be discussed in class.
Class Participation and Attendance
This class is designed to be the first core course in the Criminal Justice field of study. One cannot gain much from this study unless he or she attends most of the classes. Students must be in class to learn details about eCampus assignments. A seating list will be distributed near the beginning of the semester and will be checked each class. A reasonable number of absences for illness or work responsibilities will be excused. Unexcused absences may be prevented if the student notifies the instructor of the reason for the absence. In addition to attendance, each student must read the assignments and feel free to ask questions and state opinions.
Classroom Policy
a. Final Withdrawing Date: April 14, 2016.
If you are unable to complete this course, it is your responsibility to withdraw formally . The withdrawal request must be received in the Registrar’s Office by April 14, 2016.
Failure to do so will result in your receiving a performance grade, usually an “F.” If you drop a class or withdraw from the college before the official drop/withdrawal deadline, you will receive a “W”
(Withdraw) in each class dropped. For procedures, see the Brookhaven College website and select A-
Z and “Add/Drop/Withdraw Information” for a listing. b. STOP BEFORE YOU DROP: For students who enrolled in college level courses for the first time in the fall of 2007, Texas Education Code 51.907 limits the number of courses a student may drop. You may drop no more than 6 courses during your entire undergraduate career unless the

drop qualifies as an exception. Your campus counseling/advising center will give you more information on the allowable exceptions. Remember that once you have accumulated 6 non-exempt drops, you cannot drop any other courses with a “W.” Therefore, please exercise caution when dropping courses in any Texas public institution of higher learning, including all seven of the Dallas
County Community Colleges. For more information, you may access: https://www1.dcccd.edu/cat1112/ss/oep/dw.cfm
c. No food and/or drinks in the classroom.
d. Cell phones and Pagers are not allowed in the Testing Center.
e. Permission slips are now required in the Testing Center for all tests.
Special Information
a. Financial Aid: If you are receiving Financial Aid grants or loans, you must show participation in this class prior to the certification date, Tuesday, February 2, 2016. Requirements for participation are set by the instructor. DO NOT drop or STOP ATTENDING any class without consulting the
Financial Aid office. Changes in your enrollment level and/or failing grades may have adverse consequences. For more information, see the Brookhaven College website and select A-Z Financial
Aid or phone: the Financial Aid Call Center at 972-587-2599. b. Religious Holidays: Absences for observance of a religious holy day are excused.
A student whose absence is excused to observe a religious holy day is allowed to take a make-up examination or complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence.
c. Disability Accommodations: If you are a student with a disability and/or special needs who requires ADA accommodations, please contact your Disability/Special Services office in Room S-
124 or call 972-860-4847 on the Brookhaven Campus.
d. Retrieving your grade and eConnect: Specific instructions for obtaining your grades can be found at https://eConnect.dcccd.edu/eConnect/eConnect . Go to the Brookhaven College website and select
A-Z and student services to learn about all their services.
e. General Statement: The instructor has the right to modify any course requirements and calendar dates as necessary to manage and conduct this course outline. Students are responsible for contacting the instructor and seeking clarification of any requirement that is not understood. f . Communicating with your instructor: When tests are graded, results will be posted on eCampus. I will check on posted material on a regular basis and try to respond to emails and phone calls within 24-48 hours. g. Technical Requirements and Support: (for eCampus users)
If you should have any technical difficulties, you may to the http://ecampus.dcccd.edu
or call 972-669-
6402. There is a link for Student Assistance where you may submit a ticket. Also alert your instructor concerning any technical problems. Everything you need to know about the DCCD and distance

education can be found at our website: http://www.brookhavencollege.edu/dl/ or http://online.dcccd.edu/default.htm
. The eCampus Technical Support and Help Desk can be found at http://ecampus.dcccd.edu
Repeating this course : Effective Fall 2005, the Dallas County Community Colleges will charge additional tuition to students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. All third and subsequent attempts of the majority of credit and Continuing Education/Workforce Training courses will result in additional tuition to be charged. Developmental Studies and some other courses will not be charged a higher tuition rate. Third attempts include courses taken at any Dallas County
Community Colleges since the Fall 2002 Semester.
Academic Dishonesty : Scholastic dishonesty is a violation of the Code of Student
Conduct. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. As a college student, you are considered a responsible adult. Your enrollment indicates acceptance of the Dallas County Community Colleges Code of Student Conduct published in the
Brookhaven College Catalog. https://www1.dcccd.edu/ss/code.cfm?loc=2
Other Information
-- Exams will be variations of multiple choice and short answer.
-- If you must miss an exam for an excused absence, you must talk with me ahead of time to reschedule. If you are sick, you need to call.
-- Extra credit research papers and projects are optional.
-- You are encouraged to talk with the instructor at any time. Everyone is encouraged to express his or her opinions on current issues any time. All opinions will be respected under the first amendment as long as no one monopolizes the time.
-- All students are asked to keep up with current Criminal Justice news during the semester.
Reading of newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, and Internet news stories is advised.
 SPRING BREAK– NO CLASSES – March 14-18, 2016

Last day to drop a course with a "W" – April 14, 2016

Final Exam –Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 9 am
Optional Class Biographical Sheet
All students will have the opportunity during the first week of class to fill out a biographical sheet (last page) with any information you wish for the instructor. If the student chooses to participate, he or she can list on this sheet various information to assist the instructor in getting to know them. This is totally optional and will have no effect on the student's grade. Fill in and return the blank form at the END of this syllabus if you wish to participate.

OPTIONAL STUDENT BIOGRAPHICAL SHEET
NAME___________________________
BACKGROUND INFORMATION, HOMETOWN, OCCUPATION, ETC.
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, ETC.
PAST INVOLVEMENT IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, POLITICAL SYSTEM, VOLUNTEER IN THE
COMMUNITY, GOVERNMENT SERVICE, ETC.
OTHER INFORMATION YOU WISH TO SHARE