Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Historical development, philosophy of common and statutory law, and constitutional provisions related to due process; definitions, classifications, and general elements of crimes as applied to the administration of justice; legal research, review of case law, methodology, and concepts of law as a social force and analysis of criminal liability, defense to crimes and the classification of crimes against persons, property, morals and public welfare. (C-ID AJ 120) (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Analyze and contrast various theories of criminal law.
  • CSLO #2: Critique case law as it relates to the criminal justice process and create a written case brief.
  • CSLO #3: Compare and contrast corpus delicti and elements of criminal statutes.

Effective Term

Fall 2017

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

1. Analyze the historical and cultural evolution of criminal law and its impact on the judicial system;
2. Explain the adversary system and sources of criminal law;
3. Discuss the goals and characteristics of criminal law;
4. Differentiate between the legislative process of establishing laws and the court's process of interpreting and applying the law;
5. Explain terminology, definitions, and theories of criminal law;
6. Differentiate between crimes classified as infractions, misdemeanors, felonies and "wobblers"
7. Compare and contrast elements of crime to the crime's corpus delicti;
8. Describe and explain the concept of lesser included offenses;
9. Identify elements of offenses against the person, property, morals, and the justice system;
10. Discuss the capacity to commit crime, causation, and culpability;
11. Critically analyze various components of our system of criminal law;
12. Assess the use of the various types of criminal defenses, legal justifications and burdens of proof; and
13. Evaluate the criminal classifications of and sanctions for parties to crimes.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

            Methods of Evaluation

            • Essay Examinations
              • Example: Students will write an essay in which they compare and contrast the concepts of statutory and procedural law.
            • Objective Examinations
              • Example: Given a list of various types of Property Crimes, students will differentiate and identify the proper elements and classification of each crime.

            Repeatable

            No

            Methods of Instruction

            • Lecture/Discussion
            • Distance Learning

            Lecture:

            1. Using PPT slides, Instructor will lead class discussion related to the various classifications of crimes (infractions, misdemeanors, felonies and "wobblers") and their respective allowable punishments.

            Distance Learning

            1. Instructor will host a Discussion Board related to various types of Criminal Intent and Mental Capacity necessary for criminal liability.

            Typical Out of Class Assignments

            Reading Assignments

            1. Students will read a given scenario and identify the legal role of each party in the crime. 2. Students will read a chapter pertaining to capacity to commit crimes and be prepared to discuss insanity defenses in class.

            Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

            1. Students will write a 2-3 page report comparing and contrasting elements of a crime to the corpus delicti of a crime. 2. Students will analyze case law provided by the instructor and write a paper discussing the court's rationale in its decision.

            Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

            Required Materials

            • Contemporary Criminal Law
              • Author: Lippman
              • Publisher: Sage
              • Publication Date: 2015
              • Text Edition: 4th
              • Classic Textbook?: No
              • OER Link:
              • OER:
            • CA Criminal Law Concepts
              • Author: Hunt & Rutledge
              • Publisher: Pearson
              • Publication Date: 2015
              • Text Edition:
              • Classic Textbook?: No
              • OER Link:
              • OER:

            Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.