Course Outline: Module #3
The Law
Introduction to Criminal Justice CRJ 100
The primary goal of this module is to examine the purpose, sources, and development of law, especially
criminal law, in the United States. The lessons in this module will also examine common criminal
defenses.
Module 3 – The Law
Introduction
How do people in the United States know what behaviors are legal and what behaviors are illegal? Is it
legal to possess and smoke marijuana in some, all, or none of the states in the United States? How about
to pay for the services of a prostitute? How do we know the answers to these questions? In this chapter
we will introduce law, different types of law, categories of crimes, features of crime, and common criminal
defenses.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, students will be able to:
1. Define law.
2. Describe rule of law.
3. Distinguish the various types of law.
4. Identify the 5 categories of crime.
5. Identify the features of crime.
6. Explain the 4 general categories of criminal defenses.
7. Distinguish between mala in se and mala prohibita crimes.
Due This Week
Assignment
Format
Grading
Read Textbook Chapter 3
Textbook
0pts
Interactive Lecture Module 3
Interactive Lecture
1pt
“No one is above the law”
Journal
5pts
Defense
Discussion Board
10pts
*Use this table to fill out the course calendar. Be sure to add dates in the course calendar.
Learning Activities
The learning activities section is a way for you to sequence your students learning. Consider this as
your way of guiding them to understanding and scaffolding their learning. Be creative, use the right
tool for the right objectives and whenever possible integrate knowledge checks with feedback and/or
reflection. Be sure to provide an overview of each activity in the sequence and how it will help the
learner achieve the learning objectives. Add learning activities as necessary.
Reading
Read chapter 3 in your textbook, Criminal Law
Chapter 3 identifies the major sources, purposes, and development of law. This chapter will also
examine the categories crime, the general features of crime, and types of defenses.
©2012 Gateway Community College
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Interactive Lecture
Law and Criminal Law
The interactive lecture directly addresses each of the 7 learning objectives within chapter three. The
lecture is broken up by sections. After each learning objective section, students will be given an
opportunity to answer a “knowledge check” question(s). Answering these questions allows the student to
practice his/her understanding of the material covered in the chapter.
Journal
Assignment Name
“No one is above the law.”
Graded Assignment
YES
Points Possible
5pts
Privacy Settings
Individual
“No one is above the law.”
“No one is above the law.” Do you believe this to be true in the United States? You must explain your
answer with specific examples to support your position. Make sure you reference your sources and
provide links when available.
Grading and Feedback
Standard Journal rubric will apply.
You can expect this assignment to be graded 5 to 10 days after the assignment due date. Check “My
Grades” for your grade and feedback
Discussion board
Assignment Name
Graded Assignment
Points Possible
Defense
YES
10pts
Defense
1) Police Agencies often use undercover officers to act as drug dealers or prostitutes, what type of
defense might a criminal defendant in such a case use when charged with this type of crime? Your post
should be between 150 and 250 words.
2) A man breaks into an occupied home in Florida through a kitchen window. The homeowner hears the
intruder and arms himself with his legally owned handgun. He confronts the man breaking into his home
and commands the intruder to stop. The intruder does not stop but continues to approach the
homeowner. The homeowner shoots and kills the unarmed man. Does the homeowner have a defense
for such action? What is his defense? Explain.
©2012 Gateway Community College
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3) A woman decides to murder her cheating husband. While driving to his office with the intent to
bludgeon him to death with the silver candle stick he gave her as a wedding gift, a pedestrian crossing
against the light steps out in front of her vehicle. The woman is unable to avoid hitting the pedestrian with
her car. As a result of the injuries sustained from the impact of the car the pedestrian dies. Police
investigating determine the traffic incident was not the fault of the woman driving the car. Turns out, the
pedestrian was the woman’s cheating husband. Is the woman guilty of murdering her cheating husband?
Use the general features of a crime to explain.
Grading and Feedback
Each student should post his/her response to each question by Wednesday at 11:5pm EST. Each
student will respond to at least 2 of their peers post by Sunday 11:59pm EST. Replies should be well
developed and thoughtful. One sentence replies simply agreeing or disagreeing will result in 0 points on
the reply. Students are encouraged to reply to more than 2 posts.
When posting and responding to a post
Standard Discussion Board rubric will apply.
You can expect this assignment to be graded within 5-10 days of your submission. Check “My Grades”
for your grade and feedback.
©2012 Gateway Community College
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