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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title: Fundamentals of Criminal Law – Spring 2020
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Course Prefix & Number: CRIJ 1310
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Section Number: 400
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Semester: SP20
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Semester Credit Hours: 3
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Lecture Hours: 3
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Lab Hours: 0
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Course Description (NCTC Catalog): This course is the study of criminal law including application of definitions, statutory elements, defenses, and penalties using Texas statutes, the Model Penal Code, and case law. The course also analyzes the philosophical and historical development of criminal law and criminal culpability
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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Required or Recommended Course Materials:
Criminal Law (12th Edition), by Joel Samaha (With Cengage MindTap). You must purchase the MindTap access code. This can be done by purchasing the book from the bookstore, or it can be purchased directly from the Cengage website. The textbook is included digitally with the MindTap access. WARNING – If you choose to purchase a book or rent a book, failure to use this edition is at your own risk. I will discuss all your options the first day of class.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Gary Knight
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth
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Telephone Number:
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972-677-8890 (Google Voice Mail)
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E-mail Address:
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geknight@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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1 PM – 3 PM
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10 am – 12 pm
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1 PM – 3 PM
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/NCTC Catalog
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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1.
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Identify the elements of crimes and defenses under Texas statutes, Model Penal Code, and case law
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2.
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Classify offenses and articulate penalties for various crimes.
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3.
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Compare culpable mental states when assigning criminal responsibility.
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4.
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Assess the impact of history and philosophy on current criminal laws.
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5.
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Evaluate the application of criminal law to other areas of criminal justice such as law enforcement and corrections.
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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13
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Videos, Homework, (You Decide, part 1), Writing Reviews
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25%
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13
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Chapter Exams (Weekly)
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25%
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1
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Midterm Exam (2/26)
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20%
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1
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Oral Presentation (4/6)
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10%
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1
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Final Exam (Finals Week)
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20%
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Grading Scale
90%-100% A
80%-89% B
70%-79% C
60%-69% D
59% and below F
COURSE OUTLINE – See Class Calendar Below for Weekly Assignments
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Chapter 1
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Criminal Law and Punishment in U.S. Society
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Chapter 2
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Constitutional Limits on Criminal Law
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Chapter 3
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The Criminal Act: The First Principle of Criminal Liability
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Chapter 4
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The General Principles of Criminal Liability: Mens Rea, Concurrence, Ignorance, and Mistake
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Chapter 5
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Defenses to Criminal Liability I: Justifications
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Chapter 6
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Defenses to Criminal Liability II: Excuses
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Chapter 7
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Parties to Crime and Vicarious Liability
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Chapter 8
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Inchoate Crimes
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Chapter 9
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Crimes Against Persons I: Murder and Manslaughter
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Chapter 10
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Crimes Against Persons II: Sex Offenses, Bodily Injury, and Personal Restraint
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Chapter 11
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Crimes Against Property
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Chapter 12
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Crimes Against Public Order and Morals
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Chapter 13
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Crimes Against the State
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Successful completion of this course will require you to attend class. It is my belief that classroom discussions and interactions contribute to the learning experience. Therefore, classroom attendance is mandatory and will be monitored. Excessive unexcused absence may lead to a student being dropped from the course. Excessive unexcused absence is defined as missing 10% of the scheduled classes or 5 absences. I will take roll every day. As a final note on attendance, I will use attendance and class participation as the determining factor in cases of borderline final grades.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 3rd, 2020
DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209. Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.
North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112). http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________
Communication
Mathematics
Life and Physical Science
Language, Philosophy & Culture
Creative Arts
American History
Government/Political Science
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Component Area Option
XX Critical Thinking
XX Communication
Empirical and Quantitative
Teamwork
XX Personal Responsibility
XX Social Responsibility
Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
XX WECM Course
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Dr. Cherly Gary-Furdge
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Office Location:
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Suite 239 Office 234 Corinth Campus
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6238 or 972-922-7978
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E-mail Address:
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cfurdge@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Debbie Huffman
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Career Technology Building
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-3357
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E-mail Address:
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dhuffman@nctc.edu
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