Fall 2024
Fundamentals of Criminal Law
Approved: RL-Smith/9/2024 Fundamentals of Criminal Law (CRIJ 1310) CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Face to Face PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: None COURSE DESCRIPTION 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. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 1. Identify the elements of crimes and defenses under Texas statutes, penal code, and case law. 2. Classify offenses and articulate penalties for various crimes. 3. Compare culpable mental states when assigning criminal responsibility. 4. Assess the impact of history and philosophy on current criminal laws. 5. Evaluate the application of criminal law to other areas of criminal justice such as law enforcement and corrections. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Robert L. Smith Email: rlsmith5@lit.edu / robert.smith@silsbeeisd.org Office Phone: 409-980-7877 Ext. 6240 Office Location: Silsbee High School #240 Office Hours: In Person available by Appointment only M-F (flexible hours) REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS None ATTENDANCE POLICY Students are expected to attend scheduled class or have evidence of a district approved absence. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) 8/26 – 8/31 History of LE/ Evolution of Policing 8/30 9/1 – 9/7 Law Enforcement Code of Ethics 9/6 9/8 – 9/14 Law Enforcement and the Constitution 9/13 9/15 – 9/21 State and Federal Court Systems 9/20 9/22 – 9/28 Legal Systems: Code of Criminal Procedure 9/27 9/29 -10/5 Arrest, Search & Seizure: 4th Amendment 10/4 10/6 – 10/12 Arrest, Search & Seizure: Court Cases 10/11 10/13 – 10/19 Arrest, Search & Seizure: Miranda Rights & Interrogation 10/18 10/20 – 10/26 Juvenile Law: Juvenile Rights 10/25 10/27 – 11/2 Penal Code: Punishments & Defenses 11/1 11/3 – 11/9 Penal Code: Offenses against Family & Public Administration 11/8 11/10 – 11/16 Penal Code: Offenses against Health & Decency 11/15 11/17 – 11/23 Penal Code: Offenses against Property 11/22 11/24 – 11/30 Thanksgiving (Nov. 28-29) No Class N/A 12/1 – 12/7 Penal Code: Offenses against Persons 12/6 12/8 – 12/12 Finals 12/12 COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Assignments/ Discussions 40% • Exams 60% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION All assignments are due as scheduled. Late or incomplete assignments will be discussed on a case-by-case basis (ex. medical situation such as hospitalization).