CRIJ110 Introduction to Criminal Law
Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Criminal Justice
- I. Course Number and Title
- CRIJ110 Introduction to Criminal Law
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- CRIJ100 or
- Corequisites
- CRIJ100
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- None
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This course introduces students to the study of substantive criminal law. The major topics of study include the purposes of criminal law, the elements of criminal law, defenses to crimes, criminal sanctions, constitutional limits on criminal law and the entrepreneurial mindset as applied to an issue in criminal law.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- demonstrate an understanding of the nature, origin, purposes, and sanctions of substantive criminal law;
- demonstrate an understanding of the general principles of criminal law, elements of crimes, criminal defenses, parties to crime, types of crimes, and constitutional limits on criminal law; /li>
- examine legal case studies within the court system by utilizing legal rules to solve legal problems; and/li>
- apply an entrepreneurial mindset to an issue in criminal law.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
The following topics are presented:
- the nature and limits of criminal law
- general principles of criminal liability- actus reus and mens rea
- defenses to criminal liability- justifications, excuses
- parties to crime and vicarious liability
- inchoate crimes
- criminal homicide
- criminal sexual conduct
- crimes against property
- crimes against public order and morals
- constitutional limits on criminal law
- examination of criminal sanctions
- examination of legal case studies within the court system
- entrepreneurial mindset applied to an issue in criminal law
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Exams, quizzes, class participation, and projects as specified in the individual instructor's syllabus will be utilized. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
Students use educational resources as specified in the individual instructor's syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date -11/98; Revised 4/2011; New Core 8/2015; Approved 01/03/2019