SRJC Course Outlines

12/27/2024 8:43:52 AM	AJ 22 Course Outline as of Fall 2018	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr: AJ 22	Title: CRIMINAL LAW CONCEPTS
Full Title: Concepts of Criminal Law
Last Reviewed:9/25/2017

Units		Course Hours per Week		Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00	17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0	6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0		Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00		Contact Total	52.50

		Non-contact DHR	0		Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours: 105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category: AA Degree Applicable
Grading: Grade Only
Repeatability: 00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As:
Formerly:

Catalog Description:
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This course is a study of the historical development, philosophy of law and constitutional provisions in the administration of justice system. The course includes defining and classifying crime, legal research, study of case law, significance of evidence and the investigation, criminal culpability, and principles of criminal defenses.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:

CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:

IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:

CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:

UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:

C-ID:
CID Descriptor: AJ 120	Concepts of Criminal Law	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): AJ22

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Identify the origins and foundational concepts of civil and criminal law.

2. Explain how laws are developed and modified.

3. Identify, classify, and apply the essential elements of offenses against the person, property,

and public order.

4. Analyze criminal liability and defenses.

Objectives: Untitled document

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify the primary sources on which the law is based, including the concept of social

contract, English common law, the United States Constitution, and the California Penal

Code.

2. Distinguish between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.

3. Differentiate between civil law, criminal law, and case law.

4. Differentiate between substantive law and procedural law.

5. Recall the statutory definition a crime.

6. Classify the punishments under California law.

7. Define and differentiate corpus delicti, mala en se, and mala prohibita.

8. Identify the essential elements of offenses against person, property, and public order.

9. Explain the concept of lesser-included offense.

10. Identify inchoate crimes.

11. Classify crimes by severity into felony, misdemeanor, and infraction.

12. Identify parties to a crime per California law and criminal culpability.

13. Explain the categories of persons considered legally incapable of committing crime.

14. Explain common criminal defenses and legal justifications.

Topics and Scope
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I. Sources of Law

A. Social Contract

B. Common law

C. Case law

D. Constitutional law

E. Procedural law

F. Substantive law

G. Classifications of crimes

II. General Principles of Law

A. Definition of criminal and civil law

B. Letter of the law versus spirit or the law

C. Principle of Legality

D. Statutory law

E. Punishment and sentencing

III. Criminal Law

A. Definition and classification of a crime

1. mala en se

2. mala prohibita

3. actus reus

4. mens rea

5. corpus delicti

B. Parties to a crime

1. principals

2. accomplices

3. accessories

C. Inchoate crimes

1. attempt

2. conspiracy

3. solicitation

D. Lesser-included offenses

IV. Defenses

A. Persons legally incapable of committing a crime

B. Procedural

C. Justifications

D. Excuses

V. Crimes Against the Person

A. Bodily injury

1. assaults

2. batteries

B. Robbery

C. Restraint crimes

D. Criminal sexual conduct

E. Homicide

VI. Crimes Against Property

A. Theft

B. Burglary

C. Arson

VII. Crimes Against Public Order

A. Disorderly conduct

B. Quality of life crimes

Assignments:
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1. Read 20-30 pages weekly

2. Written responses to reading or class activities

3. Research paper and written essays (1- 2) on legal concepts

4. Objective examinations (1-10), which may include essay responses

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 35 - 65%
Research paper, essays (1-2), written reading or class activity responses
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 35 - 65%
Objective exams, which may include essay questions or a final research paper
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 0%
None

Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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1. Contemporary Criminal Law. 4th ed. Lippman, Matthew. Sage. 2016

2. Principles of Criminal Law. 6th ed. Wallace, Harvey and Roberson, Cliff. Pearson. 2016

3. Criminal Law. 12th ed. Samaha, Joel. Cengage. 2017

4. Instructor prepared materials

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Curriculum

SRJC Course Outlines