JOHN A. LOGAN COLLEGE
CRJ 209
CRIMINAL LAW
M. Ellett – FL 13
3 cr. (3-0)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course covers the substantive criminal law encompassed in the criminal code and
the constitutional limits on criminal law. Upon completion of the course, the student will
be familiar with the key provisions of the criminal code, including elements of the
offenses, parties to crimes, and defenses to criminal liability.
PREREQUISITES: None
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Identify the power and limits of government authority to define, prohibit, grade,
and punish socially harmful behavior.
Identify the main characteristics of criminal punishments.
Explain the Constitutional limits on criminal law.
Identify and explain the requisite elements of a crime.
Compare and contrast vicarious and strict liability.
Explain the doctrine of inchoate crimes.
Identify crimes against persons, habitation, property, and public order and
morals.
Identify defenses to criminal liability.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Week 7:
Week 8:
Week 9:
Week 10:
Week 11:
Week 12:
Introduction. Bill of Rights/14th Amendment
Chapter 1: Criminal Law and Criminal Punishment: An Overview
Chapter 2: Constitutional Limits on Criminal Law
Review and Test 1 (Bill of Rights/14th Amendment, Chapters 1 and 2)
Chapter 3: The Criminal Act: The First Principle of Criminal Liability
Chapter 4: The General Principles of Criminal Liability: Mens Rea,
Concurrence, Causation, Ignorance, and Mistake
Test 2 (Chapters 3 and 4)
Chapter 5: Defenses to Criminal Liability: Justifications
Chapter 6: Defenses to Criminal Liability: Excuses
Review and Test 3 (Chapters 5, 6, and 7)
Chapter 7: Parties to Crime and Vicarious Liability
Chapter 8: Inchoate Crimes
Review and Test 4 (Chapters 7 and 8)
Chapter 9: Crimes against Persons I: Murder and Manslaughter
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Week 13:
Week 14:
Week 15:
Week 16:
Chapter 10: Crimes against Persons II: Sex Offenses, Bodily Injury, and
Personal Restraint
Review and Test 5 (Chapters 9 and 10)
Chapter 11: Crimes against Property
Chapter 12: Crimes against Public Order and Morals
Chapter 13: Crimes against the State
Review and Test 6 (Chapters 11, 12, and 13)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
There will be unannounced quizzes and six tests consisting of multiple choice,
matching, short answer, and essay questions. The tests will cover all assigned
readings, lectures, and handout materials presented by the instructor in this course. All
make-up exams will consist of essay questions only. If class is cancelled on a
scheduled test day, the test will be given the next scheduled class period.
Attendance Policy. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. Any
student arriving after attendance has been taken will be considered absent. Five points
will be deducted from the attendance points for each absence. Students should make
appointments to see the instructor if attendance problems arise. If a student misses
three consecutive class periods, he/she must obtain permission to continue the course
from the Associate Dean for Instruction.
Student Success Center. Tutors may be obtained through the Student Success Center.
Contact the staff in C219 if this service is desired. John A. Logan College will make
reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities under Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Any student with a disability that may have some impact on work in this class, who feels
she/he needs an accommodation, should make an appointment with the Coordinator of
Services for Students with Disabilities on campus, Room C219B, Ext. 8516. Before
services can be provided, this advisor must determine eligibility and arrange appropriate
academic adjustments. It is the student’s responsibility to register in advance of a
school term with this office and to turn in a schedule each term to ensure that
there is every opportunity for success in this class.
English Writing Center/Tutoring. For assistance with writing assignments in any college
courses, students are encouraged to visit the Writing Center in C214. English
instructors are available for one-on-one tutoring each semester during hours posted at
the center.
Financial Aid. Students who receive financial assistance and completely withdraw from
classes prior to 60% of the semester being completed (approximately 2-3 weeks after
midterm) could be responsible to return a portion of their Federal Pell Grant award.
Prior to withdrawing from courses, students should contact the Financial Aid Office.
3
Course Withdrawal Information. It is expected that you will attend this class regularly.
If you stop attending for any reason, you should contact your advisor and withdraw
officially to avoid the posting of a failing grade (an E) to your transcript. It is also
advisable to discuss the situation with your instructor before dropping.
Administrative Withdrawal. A student may be withdrawn from a class for lack of
attendance/participation as defined below. Logging into an online course is not
sufficient to be considered participation. Participation for online courses is defined as
an active process and may include posting/sending assignments to the drop box or
instructor’s email, participating in online discussion boards, taking quizzes or exams, or
otherwise communicating and/or participating in some manner that is approved by the
instructor. A student who has been administratively withdrawn from class will receive
an email notification from the Admissions Office. This notification will outline the
student’s appeal options if the student wishes to re-enroll in the course.
Face-to-Face Class
(8 or 16 weeks)
Online Class
(8 week)
Online Class
(16 week)
Student may be withdrawn from class if the student has missed
four (4) consecutive class periods without prior notification to the
instructor of the absences.
Student may be withdrawn from class if the student has not
participated (as indicated by activity reports) in the online class
for the equivalent of one week.
Student may be withdrawn from class if the student has not
participated (as indicated by activity reports) in the online class
for the equivalent of two weeks.
Safety Review Request. Our safety at JALC is everyone’s responsibility!
Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to use the Safety Review Request,
https://secure.jalc.edu/campus_safety/safety_review_request_form.php, link on the
JALC home page or contact Campus Safety directly (Ext. 8218 or Room E105) to report
safety concerns or questions. This statement comes from the John A. Logan College
Campus Violence Prevention Committee.
METHOD OF EVALUATION:
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Test 4
Test 5
Test 6
Quizzes & Assignments
Attendance & Participation
Total
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
50 points
50 points
700 points
4
Scale of Exams
100-90%
89-80%
79-70%
69-60%
59-0%
700 – 630 pts. = A
629 – 560 pts. = B
559 – 490 pts. = C
489 – 420 pts. = D
419 – 0 pts. = E
=A
=B
=C
=D
=E
METHOD OF PRESENTATION:
Lecture, discussion, handouts, and audio visuals
TEXT:
Samaha, Joel. (2014) Criminal Law, 11th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
ISBN 978-1-285-06191-7
INSTRUCTOR:
Micki Ellett
Office: G218
Office Hours: TWTh 7:00-9:00 a.m.
Ext.: 8605
E-mail: mickiellett@jalc.edu
DATE:
Fall, 2013
John A. Logan College Telephone Numbers
Carterville and Williamson County ................................ (618) 985-3741, (618) 985-2828
Carbondale and Jackson County .................................. (618) 549-7335, (618) 457-7676
Du Quoin .................................................................................................. (618) 542-8612
West Frankfort .......................................................................................... (618) 937-3438
Crab Orchard, Gorham, and Trico Areas ................................................. 1-800-851-4720
John A. Logan College does not discriminate on the basis of race,
religion, color, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender orientation.
07-17-13-1d FL 13