Objective:
The course objective is to provide students with an historical understanding of criminal law, an overview of general legal principles, including possible defenses to a criminal charge, and an awareness of the fundamental nature of law.
Learning Outcomes:
- Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to define terms related to criminal law
- Describe or explain the purpose and function of criminal law
- Describe, identify, or explain legal issues as presented in court cases
- Identify or explain key concepts related to criminal law
- Define various laws and their elements
General Course Topics:
- Purposes and sources of criminal law
- Criminal liability
- Extending criminal liability
- Defenses
- Insanity
- Personal crime: homicide
- Personal crime: assault, battery, and other personal crimes
- Property and computer crimes
- Crimes against public order and the government
- Crimes against public decency and morality
- Victims and the law
- Punishment and sentencing