Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: An in-depth study of Penal Code and other codes which have an application to law enforcement and administration of justice. Includes misdemeanor and felony violations of the criminal statutes involving crimes against persons and property, public peace, dangerous weapons, narcotics, and vice violations. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Compare and contrast allowable punishments for infractions, misdemeanors and felonies.
  • CSLO #2: Differentiate between laws of arrest for peace officer and private persons.
  • CSLO #3: Analyze hypothetical criminal scenarios and identify appropriate crime elements.

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. Identify the historical source, nature, purpose and evolution of the modern criminal law system;
2. Differentiate between corpus delicti and elements of specific crimes;
3. Compare and contrast allowable punishments for infractions, misdemeanors and felony violations;
4. Identify specific elements of criminal statutes;
5. Distinguish between the various types of criminal intent and criminal negligence;
6. Compare criminal culpability of Principals, Accessories and Accomplices;
7. Explain characteristics and elements of a lawful arrest;
8. Compare and contrast necessary legal justifications for consensual contacts, detentions, and arrests;
9. Explain the nature of crimes against public peace;
10. Analyze hypothetical situations involving crimes utilizing deadly weapons involving assaults and justify a specific criminal charge;
11. Define the criminal element difference between murder and manslaughter;
12. Distinguish the difference in criminal elements between burglary and robbery;
13. Identify the various laws associated with being under the influence of drugs and alcohol; and
14. Chart controlled substances by their narcotic schedules.

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

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: Students will identify the specific crime elements and proper classifications of various Penal Code sections.
          • Problem Solving Examinations
            • Example: Given realistic hypothetical written scenarios, students will identify whether or not a crime has occurred and if so, which crime and how it should be classified (infraction, misdemeanor or felony).

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lecture:

          1. Using specific sections from the CA Penal Code, Instructor will lead class discussion related to how to isolate the specific elements of various crimes, their classifications and allowable punishments.

          Distance Learning

          1. Instructor will post interactive links to CA Penal and Vehicle Codes, which students will use to differentiate various sections between infraction, misdemeanor and felony crimes.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Read chapter from text covering crimes against public peace and be prepared to discuss specific disturbance laws. 2. Read a newspaper article regarding crimes against persons and be prepared to discuss corpus delicti of the crime.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Students will be asked to write an analysis of a current event identifying the specific criminal violations described in the article. 2. Students will be given a scenario and asked to write a response identifying the participant's roles and their criminal involvement.

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

          1. Using instructor selected topic, students will work in groups to research and produce a fifteen minute oral presentation.

          Required Materials

          • California Criminal Law Concepts
            • Author: Hunt & Rutledge
            • Publisher: Pearson Custom Publishing
            • Publication Date: 2015
            • Text Edition:
            • Classic Textbook?: No
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Penal Code
            • Author: State of California
            • Publisher: Various
            • Publication Date: 2016
            • Text Edition:
            • Classic Textbook?: No
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

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