COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course examines the basic concepts and legal and sociological issues in substantive criminal law; the theories underlying criminal law; and the problems of the imposition and execution of punishments. An attempt is made to develop an understanding of the rational basis of a law of crimes by studying specific problem areas such as criminal liability and legal requirements for criminal defenses. Special emphasis is placed on such crimes as murder, manslaughter, burglary, rape, robbery, larceny, theft, assault and battery, and victimless crimes.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Understand the nature, purpose and limitations of criminal law, and explain classification of crimes and related offenses.
• Understand the elements of criminal liability, including the criminal act, the criminal state of mind, and causation.
• Identify and explain the types of defenses to criminal liability.
• Identify and discuss specific forms of crime.

COURSE EMPHASIS

As a critical thinking emphasis course, Criminal Law I will employ simplified versions of two methods - case analysis and "focused dialogue" - commonly used in law schools to train and improve thinking skills of students. They are being exposed to challenges of defending their reasoning and required to make sense of every decision they reach. They are taught to avoid the common mistake of jumping hastily to a conclusion based on limited number of facts and form the opinion that can stand critical review.

METHOD OF EVALUATION

Students are strongly encouraged to prepare and make an oral presentation based on critical analysis of a case or issue relevant to the field of study. Successful presentation has the potential to significantly boost the grade (up to 10% of the maximum score.

Students are expected to take all tests at the regularly scheduled time. If a student cannot do so, he/she should inform the professor before the test. If the reason for being absent is valid, the student will be given the opportunity to take a make-up test. Because of the difficulty of developing a second test, make-up test will consist entirely of essay questions. Students who miss test without informing the professor beforehand will not be permitted to make up the test unless they can provide proof of having had to leave the campus unexpectedly for a hospital stay or serious family emergency.

Students in this class will be expected to adhere to the University regulations on absence from class. Students are advised to keep in mind that four absences may result in an automatic failure in the course, and that three tardy arrivals will be counted as one absence.

Students are reminded that they must adhere to the standards of academic ethics of the University. These include standards of honesty for such activities as submitting assignments and essays, taking tests and examinations and doing project assignments.

REQUIRED TEXT

Reid S., CRIMINAL LAW, 3rd ed., Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1998

 ELEMENTS OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY

The Criminal Act

The Criminal State of Mind