COURSE SYLLABUS
ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC STATE UNIVERSITY
CRIMINAL JUSTICE 2510: Introduction to Criminal Law
Spring, 2006
January 5-February 27
INSTRUCTOR: BECKY KOHLER da CRUZ, J.D.
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & Law
OFFICE: UH 219
OFFICE HOURS:
PHONE: 921-7407 E-MAIL: dacruzbe@mail.armstrong.edu
MWF 9-10 am or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Origin and evolution of legal norms used by government to control deviant behavior, and their
distinct form and overlap with moral and social norms. Emphasis on the role of criminal law in a
system of ordered liberty.
COURSE RATIONALE:
The purpose of this course is to develop a basic understanding of the role of criminal law as a
social control mechanism in a constitutional democracy and the way it carries out that role.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Sue Titus Reid, (2004) Criminal Law, 6th ed. McGraw-Hill Publishers. ISBN 0-07282008-X
CLASS FORMAT:
This course will be conducted in a combination of lecture and Socratic method, with emphasis
on student preparation and participation. Your participation in this course will be drawn out in
the form of question and answer dialogs between the instructor and the students.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are expected to be present for all scheduled classes – in body and mind – as you are
responsible for all information not only in the textbook but also what is presented in class. If you
miss a class, get the lecture notes from a classmate.
CLASS CONDUCT:
Students are expected to treat others with respect and dignity at all times. Any behavior, which
is disruptive to the learning environment, is strictly prohibited. Beepers and cell phones disrupt
the class, THERE WILL A 1 POINT DEDUCTION EACH TIME YOUR PHONE RINGS IN
CLASS. If you are disrupting the lecture, you will be removed from the classroom.
READING ASSIGNMENTS:
1/5/06
Introduction to the Course
Week #1
Ch. 1 – An Introduction to Criminal Law
Ch. 2 – Elements of a Crime
Week #2
Ch. 3 – Anticipatory Offenses and Parties to Crimes
Test #1
Week #3
Ch. 4 – Defenses to Criminal Culpability: Part I
Ch. 5 – Defenses to Criminal Culpability: Part II
Week #4
Ch. 6 – Criminal Homicide
Test #2
Ch. 7 – Assault, Robbery, Sex, and Other Crimes
Week #5
Ch. 8 – Terrorism and Related Crimes
Ch. 9 – Property and Related Crimes
Test #3
Week #6
Ch. 10 – Crimes Against Public Order, Morality, and the Administration of
Government
Civil Liability in Criminal Justice (Title 42 USC, Section 1983)
Ch. 11 – Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking
Week #7
Ch. 12 – Sentencing and the Criminal Law
Exam #4
EVALUATION METHODS:
1. Examinations: Each exam will be non-cumulative. The exams will consist of multiple
choice, short answer, and an essay question.
2. Case Briefs: Five case brief will be due Week #5. See the list of the cases to be
briefed.
3. Critical Thinking Paper: Each student will be required to prepare a 5-page research
paper. A more detailed explanation of the paper will follow. Due Week #6.
FINAL GRADE STANDARDS:
Case Briefs (5 @ 10 pts. Ea.). . .50 points
Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 points
Test #1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 points
Test #2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 points
Test #3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 points
Test #4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 points
300 points
You can earn a maximum of two hundred (300) points in this course. The approximate letter and
numerical equivalents are as follows:
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Points
300-270
270-240
240-210
210-180
180-0
Percent
90-100%
80-90%
70-80%
60-70%
below 60%
PAPER:
You are to select a topic from the readings in the textbook. You may be as broad or as narrow as
you like. This paper should be used as an extension of the knowledge you gain from the readings
and class discussions. Be sure you relate your paper to criminal law in the United States.
The paper should be presented in the following manner:
1. A title page with the title of the paper, your name, the course name & section number.
2. At least five (5) pages of text typed and double-spaced. Use one-inch margins and type
only in 10 or 12 inch Times New Roman or Courier font.
3. A separate page for bibliography. Minimum of four (4) outside resources.
4. Edit your paper. Make sure it is free of spelling, mechanical and grammatical errors.
All information should be presented in paragraphs that logically connect. I advise using
the Writing Center* for assistance.
5. Staple your paper in the upper left-hand corner. Do not use folders, plastic covers or
paper clips.
*The Writing Center is located in 109 Gamble Hall. The phone number is 927-5210.
STANDARDS OF HONESTY:
The college experience is founded on the concepts of honesty and integrity. Dishonesty,
cheating, and plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course. Plagiarism is representing
someone else’s work as your own. It includes quoting or paraphrasing a secondary source
without citing that source, or copying, buying, or stealing written work from another person or
another source. All class writings must be a student’s own original work, created this semester
for this particular course. Remember, plagiarism is not only immoral- it is illegal. Students who
commit plagiarism or who cheat on an examination will receive a zero (0) for that work, fail the
course, and could be referred to the Vice President of Student Affairs for honor court. Such an
offense will also become a matter of your academic record.
MAKE-UP POLICY:
Students are expected to take exams and turn in their assignments on their assigned dates. A
Late paper or briefs WILL NOT be accepted for any reason. If you fail to take an exam on the
designated date, your grade on the make-up exam will be reduced by 10 percent (1 letter grade).
A make-up exam will ONLY be given when advance notice is provided to the instructor by the
student who has good reason for not taking the exam on the dedicated date or if the student has
an extreme emergency. In no event will a make-up exam be given 1 week after the date in which
it was given or upon the student’s return from the emergency.
EXTRA CREDIT POLICY:
Do not count on any extra credit in this course. You are expected to learn the core material as
assigned. IF any extra credit is offered during the semester, it must be completed on or before
the last day of class - it will not be accepted during exam week.
CASES TO BRIEF
Gideon v. Wainwright 372 U.S. 335 (1963)
Mapp v. Ohio 367 U.S. 643 (1961)
Terry v. Ohio 392 U.S. 1 (1968)
Miranda v. Arizona 384 U.S. 436 (1966)
Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238 (1972)
Class Schedule
Intro. to Criminal Law
March, 2003
Monday, March 22, 2004
8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m.
Introduction to the course
How to brief a case
9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
Break
9:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Criminal Law
10:45 a.m.11:00 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m.
Chapter 2: Elements of a Crime
12:15 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
Lunch/Study Time
2:30 p.m. 3:45 p.m.
Chapter 3: Anticipatory Offenses & Parties to a Crime
3:45 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
Break
4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Wrap-Up Session (Discuss end of chapter cases)
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m.
Test 1: Chapters 1-3
9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
Break
9:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Chapter 4: Defenses to Criminal Culpability: Part I
10:45 a.m.11:00 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m.
Chapter 5: Defenses to Criminal Culpability: Part II
12:15 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
Lunch/Study Time
2:30 p.m. 3:45 p.m.
Chapter 6: Criminal Homicide
3:45 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
Break
4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Wrap-Up Session (Review Test 1 & discuss end of chapter
cases)
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m.
Test 2: Chapters 4-6
9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
Break
9:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Chapter 7: Assault, Robbery, Sex, & Other Crimes
10:45 a.m.11:00 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m.
Chapter 8: Terrorism & Related Crimes
12:15 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
Lunch/Study Time
2:30 p.m. 3:45 p.m.
Chapter 9: Property & Related Crimes
3:45 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
Break
4:00 p.m. cases)
5:00 p.m.
Wrap-Up Session (Review Test 2 & discuss end of chapter
Thursday, March 25, 2004
8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m.
Test 3: Chapters 7-9
9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
Break
9:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Chapter 10: Crimes Against Public Order, Morality, & the
Administration of Government
10:45 a.m.11:00 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m.
Chapter 11: Drug Abuse & Drug Trafficking
12:15 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
Lunch/Study Time
2:30 p.m. 3:45 p.m.
Movie
3:45 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
Break
4:00 p.m. cases)
5:00 p.m.
Wrap-Up Session (Review Test 3 & discuss end of chapter
Friday, March 26, 2004
8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m.
Chapter 12: Sentencing & the Criminal Law
9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
Break
9:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Study for Test 4
10:45 a.m.11:00 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m.
Test 4: Chapters 10-12
12:15 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
Lunch
2:30 p.m. 3:45 p.m.
Wrap-Up Session (Review Test 4)