I
SYLLABUS FOR CJSA 1327
Fundamentals of Criminal Law
Hybrid Course
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Location: Gaeta, Italy
Course Dates/Times: 12 Jan - 6 Mar 2015 / 18002100
In Class sessions – Thursdays: 15, 22, 29 January;
5, 12, 19, 26 February; 5 March, with additional
weekly online discussions and assignments via
Blackboard
Instructor: Josiah (Joe) Brown
Office Hours: By appointment
Instructor Email: JoeBrown3333@gmail.com
Phone (daytime): +39 (081) 568-7828
Phone (weekend/nights): +39 (342) 327-9833
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Josiah N. Brown received a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science from Albion College in
2007. As an undergraduate he also completed a certificate program in Criminal Justice from
American University in Washington D.C. While completing the certificate program, he interned
as a policy analyst at the Department of Homeland Security Private Sector Office. He earned a
master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Terrorism Studies at American Military University in
2013. He wrote his master’s thesis on the Protective Intelligence Methodology: A tool to be used
to combat random acts of violence. He worked as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Marshal
Service Office of Protective Intelligence for two years. He currently works for Naval Criminal
Investigative Services as a Program Support Assistant.
I. INTRODUCTION
A.
This course will provide a fundamental study of criminal law as it is applicable to
the law enforcement officer. It will include philosophical and historical
development, major definitions and concepts, classification of crime, elements of
crimes and penalties, and individual criminal responsibilities.
B.
This course is not chronologically dependent upon other Law Enforcement courses.
It is a required course for the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
degree program.
CJSA 1327 10th Ed.
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II.
C.
This course is occupationally related and serves in preparation for careers in law
enforcement, criminal justice, and corrections.
D.
Prerequisite(s): (None)
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Fundamentals of Criminal Law, the student
will be able to:
A.
Explain the historical and philosophical development of the nature of criminal law.
B.
Describe definitions and concepts of criminal law and the classifications of crimes
and penalties.
C.
List the elements of crimes.
D.
Discuss criminal responsibilities as they apply to the criminal statutes.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. The instructional materials identified for this course are viewable through
http://www.ctcd.edu/im/im_main.asp
Student textbook:
Criminal Law – CTC Custom Cover, Samaha, 10th edition, Wadsworth-Thomason
publisher, 2011, ISBN 1111296936 or 9781111296933
B. Current event class handouts/PDFs provided during class or via Blackboard.
1. Akhil Reed Amar, Double Jeopardy Law Made Simple, 106 Yale L.J. 1807 (1997).
2. Daniel J. Capra, The Daubert Puzzle, 32 Ga.L.Rev. 699 (1998).
3. Developments in the Law – Confronting the New Challenges of Scientific Evidence,
108 Harv.L.Rev. 1481 (1996).
4. Kathryn Urbonya, Dangerous Misperceptions: Protecting Police Officers, Society,
and the Fourth Amendment Right to Personal Security, 22 Hast.Con.L.Q. 623 (1995)
C. Web Resources:
1. The Privacy Act:
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title3/usa00141.htm
2. Information on famous trials can be found at:
www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/ftrials.htm (specific trials to review will
be given during class lecture time).
C. References:
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1. Criminal Procedure, Ferdico, John N, Henry F. Fradella, Christopher D. Totten,
11th Ed, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2013.
2. Introduction to Criminal Justice, Bohm, Robert M. and Keith N. Haley,
McGraw-Hill, 2010.
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A.
Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will
not be the grade of the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.
B.
You should attend class regularly in both face-to-face and online Blackboard classes.
Online attendance involves logging into your Blackboard class and participating in
discussions, submitting assignments, etc. Be prepared to also take any unannounced
quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture material presented from the
beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class Attendance and Course Progress’
under the Academic Policies section in our current CTC Course Catalog:
http://www.ctcd.edu/academics/catalogs/catalog-continental-international/academicpolicies/.
C.
You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the course. From the
beginning, you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in
the long run will prove more effective for your final grade than a last minute crashcram policy. Your course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such
factors as class participation, initiative, attendance, and individual research papers
will be considered in grade computation.
D.
From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to
members of the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all
assignments and fulfill your responsibilities to any group assignment.
E.
You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook to class.
Keep informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.
F.
Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade, since both the material
assigned and that discussed in class will be the basis for examination material.
G.
Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest
standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during
examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:
Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving
proper credit to the sources.
Collusion: Using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with
another person in the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is
specifically approved in advance by the instructor.
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Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.
H.
Special Work: A term paper or other project, per requirements of the instructor, will
be required. The subject must be appropriate for the course material. Check with
the instructor when you have made a selection. The value is indicated in the
semester grade computation and has considerable weight on your final average.
V. COURSE FORMAT – Hybrid with BLACKBOARD
This course has been developed as a hybrid course. Hybrid courses combine face-to-face
classroom instruction with assignments and interaction with instructor via Blackboard. It
is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to Blackboard and that
they are familiar with the contents and assignments. It is also the student’s responsibility
to log into Blackboard at least once a week to ‘attend’ the online class portion and to
participate in the online Blackboard discussions and assignments. Failure to do so will
violate the attendance policy and will have a negative impact on the course grade.
The course will meet for eight weeks--once a week--for a three-hour face-to-face session
**NOTE: This is subject to change once the teacher/students have a chance to meet**. In
addition, instructional strategies will include weekly Blackboard assignments and
discussion boards to accomplish the remaining instruction per week.
VI. EXAMS
A.
There will be a minimum of two major examinations and a written paper or project
as follows:
1. Mid-term exam on Thursday, February 05, 2014
2. Final exam on Thursday, Mary 05, 2014
3. Final Paper due on Sunday, 08 March, 2014, by 2359 (European time)
B.
A student must be present for all examinations. Students who know in advance that
they will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an
early examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances
will require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.
C.
Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.
D.
Examinations will consist of both objective (true/false, multiple choice, fill in-theblank, and matching) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. Students
majoring in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement must be able to communicate
both orally and in written form, thus some questions requiring the composition and
writing of an essay answer will be required.
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VII. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
The final grade in this course will be based on the following:
Attendance & Class Participation
Assignments & Quizzes
Discussion Board (mandatory)
Term Report & Presentation
Midterm exam
Final exam
Total possible points:
POINTS
900-1000
800-899
700-799
600-699
0-599
150 points
150 points
200 points
200 points
100 points
200 points
1000 points
GRADES
A=4 pts/sem hr
B=3 pts/sem hr
C=2 pts/sem hr
D=1 pt/sem hr
F=0 pts/sem hr
A term paper is expected from all students. The instructor may need to teach this
concept during the course.
Students may vary in their competency levels on these abilities. You can expect to
acquire these educational abilities only if you honor all course policies, attend classes
regularly, and complete all assignment work in good faith and on time.
VIII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM COURSE INSTRUCTOR
A. Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely
withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for
more details, at http://europe.ctcd.edu/library/catalog.php.
B. GoArmyEd students should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and
are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.
Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy. For selfpay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for Withdrawal or
Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated StudentServices Officer.
Special conditions apply to students who receive federal, state, and/or institutional
financial aid.
Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title
IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the
source rather than directly to the students.
C. Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to
officially withdraw from a course. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon
a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated
Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student
Services Officer for that region.
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Applications for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time before the completion of 75%
of the course, after which time the student will be assigned an “FN”- “Failure for Nonattendance.”
D. Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be
assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the
exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be
assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness,
death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting
documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision
concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students
are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor will submit an official
letter grade. This date can be determined by the instructor but must be within 45 days of
the course end date. After completion of the work the instructor can then change the
grade of “IP” to the appropriate letter grade. If this work is not completed by the
specified date the instructor will change the grade to “F.”
E. Cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic devices will be turned off while the
student is in the classroom or laboratory unless the student is using the device for class
purposes. No texting or social networking is allowed during class.
F. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course
requirements.
G. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational
experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to
do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
IX. COURSE OUTLINE
Note:
The instructor has the right to change the course schedule. Any changes will be announced in
class. If the student misses a class period and changes are announced, it is the student’s
responsibility to receive the missed information from a classmate or the instructor.
Hybrid courses combine face-to-face classroom instruction with assignments and interaction via
Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to internet so that
they may communicate, via Blackboard, with the instructor. The class is broken down into eight
sessions. See below for course outline.
Session 1- (January 13 – 15) Intro and Lesson One (Chapter 1, Criminal Law and Criminal
Punishment: An Overview; Chapter 2, Constitutional Limits on Criminal Law; in-class
assignment/quiz).
i. Class will meet face-to-face Thursday, January 15, 2015 from 1800 - 2100
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
iii. IMPORTANT DUE DATES: MID-TERM EXAM: Thursday, February 05, 2015;
FINAL EXAM: Thursday, March 05, 2014; FINAL PAPER: Outline due (European time)
Sunday, February 08, 2015; Draft due (European time) Sunday, February 22, 2014; Final
paper (European time) Sunday, March 08, 2015.
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A. Unit One: Chapter 1, Criminal Law and Criminal Punishment: An Overview
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Explain how criminal law consists of the power of government authority to
define, prohibit, grade, and punish socially harmful behavior.
b. Understand the general and special parts of criminal law.
c. Understand the different sources of criminal law.
d. Understand why there is a separate criminal law for every state, the federal
government, and local governments.
e. Discuss what is appropriate punishment for criminal behavior.
f. Understand the presumption of innocence and the need to prove criminal
liability.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 1
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
B. Unit Two: Chapter 2, Constitutional Limits on Criminal Law
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Explain the principle of legality.
b. Explain ex post facto laws.
c. Understand that the Constitution requires that criminal statues define crimes
clearly enough both to notify individuals as to what the law prohibits and to
control the discretion of officials when they enforce the law.
d. Explain the void for vagueness doctrine.
e. Explain why “equal protection” does not mean that the law has to treat
everyone exactly alike, but that classifications cannot be arbitrary.
e. Understand the right to privacy and the right to free speech.
f. Understand that the “cruel and unusual punishment” clause of the U.S.
Constitution prohibits both “barbaric” punishments and punishments out of
proportion to the seriousness of the crime.
g. Discuss related cases.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 2
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
d. Discuss related cases
Session 2- (January 20 - 22) General Principles of Criminal Liability (Chapter 3, The
General Principles of Criminal Liability: Actus Reus; Chapter 4, The General Principles of
Criminal Liability: Mens Rea, Concurrence, Causation and Ignorance and Mistake; in-class
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assignment/quiz)
i. Class will meet face-to-face Thursday, January 22, 2015, from 1800 - 2100
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday at midnight (European time)
C. Unit Three: Chapter 3, The General Principles of Criminal Liability: Actus Reus
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of these units, the student will:
a. Understand that every crime consists of separate elements, each of which the
prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
b. Understand that crimes of criminal conduct consist of three elements: actus
reus, concurrence, and mens rea.
c. Understand that each element of a specific crime forms the basis of a general
principle of criminal liability.
d. Explain why the first principle of criminal liability is actus reus .
e. Understand that actus reus includes not only voluntary bodily movements but
also omissions, possession, and some involuntary actions and conditions.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 3
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
d. Discuss related cases
D. Unit Four: Chapter 4, The General Principles of Criminal Liability: Mens Rea, Concurrence,
Causation and Ignorance and Mistake
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Explain why the requirement of a criminal intent ensures that only the
blameworthy receive criminal punishment.
b. Understand that the principle of mens rea includes four levels of culpability:
purpose, knowledge, recklessness, and negligence.
c. Explain why strict liability crimes do not require proof of mens rea because
they impose lesser penalties than other crimes and because they endanger large
numbers of persons.
d. Understand that the principle of concurrence requires that mens rea prompt
action in crimes of criminal conduct and that criminal conduct cause a particular
result in crimes requiring the causation of a particular result.
e. Explain why the principle of causation requires proof of both factual and legal
causation.
f. Understand why mens rea is the principal means of grading the seriousness of
an offense.
g. Discuss the principle of ignorance and mistake
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2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 4
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
d. Discuss related cases
Session 3- (January 27 - 29) Chapter 5 (Chapter 5, Defenses to Criminal Liability: Justifications;
i. Class will meet face-to-face Thursday, January 29, 2015, from 1800 - 2100
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
E. Units Five & Six: Chapter 5, Defenses to Criminal Liability: Justifications
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Understand that, in the defense of justification, defendants admit responsibility
but maintain that under the circumstances what they did was right.
b. Understand that, in the defenses of excuse, defendants admit what they did was
wrong but maintain that under the circumstances they were not responsible.
c. Explain how self-defense justifies the use of force or threats of force to prevent
attacks from individuals who the victim honestly and reasonably believes threaten
imminent death or serious bodily harm and when it is reasonable for the victim to
believe that force is necessary to prevent the attack.
d. Explain why self-defense does not justify either retaliation for past attacks or
preemptive strikes to prevent future, non-imminent attacks.
e. Explain the new “castle laws” and why and under what circumstances owners
may use reasonable force, sometimes including deadly force, to defend their
homes and property.
f. Explain why and under what circumstances law enforcement officers may use
force, including deadly force, when it is reasonable to use such force in order to
uphold the criminal law.
g. Explain how, in a few jurisdictions, citizens may use force (but not deadly
force) to prevent an unlawful arrest.
h. Understand that the defense of necessity justifies otherwise criminal conduct (a
lesser evil) when the commission of the lesser offense avoids a greater imminent
evil.
i. Understand why voluntary, knowing consent of the victim is a defense to minor
assaults in some jurisdictions.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 5
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
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d. Discuss related cases
Session 4- (February 03 - 05) Chapter 6 (Defenses to Criminal Liability: Excuse) & Chapter 7
(Parties to Crime and Vicarious Liability); Review for Midterm (Phase II Review: Tuesday,
March 3 via Blackboard) & Midterm
i. Class will meet face-to-face Thursday, February 05, 2015, from 1800 - 2100
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
iii. MID-TERM EXAM: Thursday, February 05, 2015
F. Unit Seven: Chapter 6, Defenses to Criminal Liability: Excuse
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Understand that, in excuse, defendants admit the wrongfulness of their actions
but argue that under the circumstances they were not responsible.
b. Understand that the main defenses of excuse are duress, intoxication, mistake,
age, entrapment, insanity, diminished capacity, and syndromes.
c. Explain how duress excuses some crimes when defendants are in immediate
danger of death or serious harm.
d. Understand why voluntary intoxication never excuses criminal liability;
involuntary intoxication is an excuse in crimes of specific intent if the involuntary
intoxication impairs specific intent.
e. Explain why mistakes of law never excuse criminal liability honest and
reasonable mistakes of fact sometimes excuse criminal liability; legal and factual
mistakes are sometimes difficult to distinguish.
f. Understand how age, either old or young, may excuse criminal liability if it
impairs mens rea.
g. Explain how entrapment is a defense to criminal liability if the government
induces an otherwise law-abiding citizen to commit a crime he or she would not
have committed.
h. Understand that insanity is a legal concept while mental illness is a medical
condition.
i. Explain how a mental disease or defect excuses criminal liability when it
impairs mens rea.
j. Understand that the right-wrong test of insanity focuses on reason; the
irresistible impulse test focuses on will; and the Model Penal Code test focuses on
both reason and will.
k. Understand that insanity is an affirmative defense.
l. Explain how diminished capacity reduces but does not remove responsibility
when mental disease or defect less than insanity impairs mens rea.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
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b. Reading assignment: Chapter 6
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
d. Discuss related cases
G. Unit Eight: Chapter 7, Parties to Crime and Vicarious Liability
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Explain how parties to crime deal with group participation in crime.
b. Explain how accomplice liability attributes the actus reus and mens rea of one
person to other participants before and during the commission of a crime.
c. Understand that accessory liability depends upon participation after the
commission of a felony.
d. Explain how vicarious liability imposes liability imposes liability for a
relationship with someone who commits a crime.
e. Understand that parties before and during crime are liable for the principal
crime; parties following crime are liable for separate, lesser offenses.
f. Explain how vicarious liability may be imposed either with or without
culpability.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 7
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
d. Discuss related cases
e. Review and Mid-term
Session 5- (February 10 - 12) Chapters 8 (Inchoate Crimes: Attempt, Conspiracy, and
Solicitation) and 9 (Crimes Against Persons I: Murder and Manslaughter ).
i. Class will meet face-to-face Thursday, February 12, 2015, from 1800 - 2100
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
H. Unit Nine: Chapter 8, Inchoate Crimes: Attempt, Conspiracy, and Solicitation.
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Understand that the doctrine of incomplete offenses imposes criminal liability
on those who intend to commit crimes, and take some steps toward completing
them.
b. Understand that attempts to commit crimes stand closest to completion,
conspiracies are further removed, and solicitations are furthest removed.
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c. Understand that the elements of attempt include the intent to commit a specific
crime (mens rea); steps to carry out the criminal purpose (actus reus); and failure
to complete the crime.
d. Explain why, according to attempt law, those bent on committing crimes
should not benefit from a stroke of luck that interrupts the fulfillment of their
purpose.
e. Explain why a voluntary abandonment of a crime heading toward completion
can remove liability or mitigate punishment.
f. Explain why legal impossibility is a defense to criminal attempt while factual
impossibility is not.
g. Understand that the elements of conspiracy include an agreement or
combination (actus reus) entered into for the specific purpose of committing an
unlawful act or committing a lawful act by unlawful means (mens rea).
h. Understand that the elements of solicitation include the specific intent to induce
another to commit a crime (mens rea) accompanied by action, usually words,
urging the other person to commit the crime (actus reus).
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 8
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
d. Discuss related cases
I. Units Ten & Eleven: Chapter 9, Crimes Against Persons I: Murder and Manslaughter
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Explain the meaning of “person” or “human being” under the criminal law.
b. Understand the arguments for and against doctor-assisted suicide.
c. Understand the history of murder law, the elements of murder and kins and
degrees of murder.
e. Understand that criminal homicide refines the general principle of mens rea to
the highest degree in criminal law; and that mens rea is the most important
ingredient in grading the kinds and degrees of criminal homicides.
f. Understand that first-degree murders include premeditated, deliberate killings,
especially brutal murders, and felony murders.
g. Explain why, according to the modern law of homicide, premeditated killings
do not require long-term planning; why even a few seconds satisfy the
requirement in most states.
h. Understand the law relating to voluntary and involuntary manslaughter.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
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b. Reading assignment: Chapter 9
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
d. Discuss related cases
Session 6- (February 17 - 19) Chapters 10 (Crimes Against Persons II: Criminal Sexual Conduct,
Bodily Injury and Personal Restraint)
i. Class will meet face-to-face Thursday, February 19, 2015, from 1800 - 2100
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
iii. Final Paper Draft due (European time) Sunday, February 22, 2014
J. Unit Twelve: Chapter 10, Crimes Against Persons II: Criminal Sexual Conduct, Bodily Injury
and Personal Restraint
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of these units, the student will:
a. Understand that sex offenses cover a broad spectrum, including everything
from violent assaults to nonviolent private sex between consenting adults.
b. Explain why rape is both a violent crime and a sexual violation.
c. Understand that criminal sexual conduct statues have expanded traditional rape
law, making sexual violations, no matter what their nature, gender-neutral crimes.
d. Explain why violence is not always required in rape.
e. Understand that battery is the crime of offensive physical contact.
f. Understand that assault is either an attempted battery or a threatened battery.
g. Explain why injury and the use of weapons aggravate simple battery and
assault.
h. Discuss the types of stalking crimes.
i. Understand that false imprisonment is the misdemeanor of illegal detention
against the victim’s will.
j. Understand that kidnapping is the use of force or fear of force to move or keep
in secret another person beyond the reach of help from the law or friends.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 10
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
d. Discuss related cases
Session 7- (February 24 - 26) Chapters 11 (Crimes Against Property ) and 12 (Crimes Against
Public Order and Morals).
i. Class will meet face-to-face Thursday, February 26, 2015, from 1800 - 2100
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
K. Unit Thirteen: Chapter 11, Crimes Against Property
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1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Understand the history of property crimes.
b. Explain how all property crimes originated in the ancient felony of larceny.
c. Understand the consolidated theft statutes.
d. Explain how theft law protects both possession and ownership of property.
e. Explain why it is a crime not only to take, convert, and get property by lies and
tricks but also to receive property already wrongfully gotten.
f. Understand that forgery and uttering statutes protect not only property but also
confidence in the authenticity of documents.
g. Understand that robbery and extortion are crimes against both property and
persons.
h. Explain how the expanded use of computers and the internet have created
additional complex ways to invade, damage, and take intellectual property.
i. Understand that both the broader application of theft law and special computer
crime statutes are responses to increasing computer use and the internet.
j. Understand that the harm in arson is the damage and destruction to homes, other
structures, and personal property.
k. Understand that burglary and arson laws protect both personal security and
property.
l. Understand that the harm in burglary is the invasion of homes, other structures,
and vehicles.
m. Understand the types of cybercrime.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 11
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
d. Discuss related cases
e. Review/Q&A/Feedback: Final Paper Draft (Due previous week on Sunday,
February 22, 2014)
M. Unit Fourteen: Chapter 12, Crimes Against Public Order and Morals
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will.
a. Explain why balancing the community interest in order and the individual
interest in liberty is a fundamental requirement of our constitutional system.
b. Explain why ancient public order and morals offenses are altered to suit the
social reality of life at the turn of the twenty-first century.
c. Understand that quality of life crimes are intended to enforce minimum
standards of decent behavior in public
d. Explain how the controversy over the quality of life crimes stems from the
belief that they are used to keep “undesirables” from bothering “respectable”
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people, and that they violate the right of free expression, the right of peaceable
assembly, the right against cruel and unusual punishment, and the right not to be
deprived of liberty without due process of law.
e. Understand that the “broken windows” theory positions that behavior that
threatens the quality of life can lead not only to increased disorder but also to
more serious crime.
f. Understand that national attention focuses on the serious crimes while local
concerns center on the quality of life crimes.
g. Explain how both the criminal law and the civil action of injunction to abate
public nuisances are used to regulate behavior in public.
h. Understand that a number of state and municipal governments have enacted
laws making gang-related behavior criminal.
i. Explain how and why, for centuries, the ancient vagrancy and loitering laws
have made the status of being poor a crime.
j. Understand that modern laws affecting the poor are aimed at specific behavior,
such as sleeping in public.
k. Understand criminal law responses to gang activity.
l. Discuss “victimless crimes.”
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 12
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
d. Discuss related cases
e. Review/Q&A/Feedback: Final Paper Draft (Due previous week on Sunday,
February 22, 2014)
N. Unit Fifteen: Chapter 13, Crimes Against the State
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will.
a. Explain why there was a general distrust of “treason laws” at the formation of
the United States.
b. Define treason.
c. Explain the other forms of crimes against the State other than treason.
d. Explain and understand the elements of Sedition, Sabotage and Espionage.
e. Explain and understand the different Anti-Terrorism statutes and crimes
discussed in the text.
f. Discuss and understand the “issues” surrounding the crime of providing
“material support” to a terrorist group.
2. Learning Activities:
CJSA 1327 10th Ed.
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a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 13
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
e. Review/Q&A/Feedback: Final Paper Draft (Due previous week on Sunday,
February 22, 2014)
Session 8- (March 03 - 05) Review for Final Exam (Tuesday, March 03 via Blackboard) & Final
Paper
i. Class will meet face-to-face Thursday, March 05, 2014, from 1800 - 2100
ii. Online assignment/project assignment will be used for Final Paper
iii. FINAL EXAM: Thursday, March 05, 2014; Final paper (European time) Sunday, March
08, 2015
Unit Sixteen:
1. Review for final examination
2. Final examination
CJSA 1327 10th Ed.
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