Fundamentals of Criminal Law

Class

This course is designed to provide the instruction in the study of crimes, including major crimes, crimes against person, crimes against property, conspiracy, elements of proof, and the processes and procedures involved. Course is designed to provide students an understanding of the nature of criminal law, philosophical and historical development, major definitions and concepts, classification of crime, elements of crimes and criminal responsibility. A variety of teaching strategies may be utilized in this course, including but not limited to: lecture, discussion, written classroom exercises, group and/or individual projects, videos, quizzes, exams, reading assignments, writing assignments, interactive exercises and internet research.

Course Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Discuss the history of laws in the American Criminal Justice system as it relates from Common Law in England
List the origins of criminal law
Define mens rea and actus reus
Identify the mens rea and actus reus of various crimes and case studies
Identify the specific elements of various types of crimes
Demonstrate knowledge of philosophical and historical development
Understand terminology and definitions
Demonstrate knowledge of crime classification
Understand and demonstrate the elements of specific crimes
Understand criminal responsibility and apply to criminal case studies

Required Textbooks

Criminal Law, Gardner. 13th Edition, Cengage Publishing, 9781305966369.

ISBN-13

9781305966369

Evaluation Standards

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

0-59 F

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.

Hope Statement

Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).

Student Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual Property Rights Statement:

The student shall retain all rights to work created in conjunction with the instructional process and/or while using college technology resources.

SCH Hours

Revised

Fall 2023