Spring 2026
Fundamentals of Criminal Law
Approved: TS 1/7/26 Fundamentals of Criminal Law (CRIJ 1310) CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Online 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. This course is time-bound, structured and completed totally online. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 1. Identify the elements of crimes and defenses under Texas statutes, Model 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: Trazarra Stelly Email: tnstelly@lit.edu Office Phone: 409-247-5224 Office Location: Technology Center (TC) #212 Office Hours: In Person or Virtual Appointments available by appointment only. Monday – Friday (Flexible Times). You must schedule via STARFISH. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Criminal Law, by George M Dery III, Second Edition. Kendall Hunt Publishing Company. ISBN 978-1-7924-0607-2 ATTENDANCE POLICY Students are expected to log into the course via Blackboard at least 3 times per week. Regular participation is necessary to pass this course. 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 READINGS (Due on this Date) ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) Submission Deadline is before 10:00 p.m. ALL initial discussion posts are due on Wednesdays. Replies to Peers due on Saturdays. 1/20-1/24 Welcome and Introduction Week 1/21: Syllabus Review 1/21: • Introduction Discussion 1/24: • Replies to Peers • Introduction Assignment • Syllabus Quiz 1/25-1/31 Module 1: 1/28: • Chapter 1: The Sources of and Limits on Criminal Law 1/31: • Chapter 1 Assignment 2/1-2/7 2/4: • Chapter 2: “Actus Reus” or Criminal Act: The Mandatory Element for All Crime • Chapter 3: “Mens Rea” or Criminal Intent: The Necessary Element for Most Crimes 2/4: • Chapter 2 & 3 Discussion 2/7: • Replies to Peers 2/8-2/14 2/11: • Chapter 4: Causation: The Element Required for Crimes Having a Forbidden Result 2/14: • Chapter 4 Assignment • Module 1 Quiz 2/15-2/21 Module 2: 2/18: • Chapter 5: Crimes against the Person and Against Life: Homicide 2/18: • Chapter 5 Discussion 2/21: • Replies to Peers 2/22-2/28 2/25: • Chapter 6: Crimes against the Person: Assaultive Conduct 2/28: • Chapter 6 Assignment • Final Project Topic Due 3/1-3/37 3/4: • Chapter 7: Crimes Against the Person: Sex Crimes 3/4: • Chapter 7 Discussion 3/7: • Replies to Peers • Module 2 Quiz 3/8-3/14 SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK 3/15-3/21 Module 3: 3/18: • Chapter 8: Crimes against Property • Chapter 9: Crimes against Habitation 3/21: • Chapter 8 & 9 Assignment • Module 3 Quiz 3/22-3/28 Module 4: 3/25: • Chapter 10: White-Collar Crime 3/25: • Chapter 10 Discussion 3/28: • Replies to Peers 3/29-4/4 4/1: • Chapter 11: Gang Crime • Chapter 12: Controlled Substance Crimes 4/4: • Chapter 11 & 12 Assignment 4/5-4/11 4/8: • Chapter 13: Crimes Against the State 4/8: • Chapter 13 Discussion 4/11: • Replies to Peers • Final Project Rough Draft Due • Module 4 Quiz 4/12-4/18 Module 5: 4/15: • Chapter 14: Inchoate (Incomplete) Crimes and Parties to Crimes 4/15: • Chapter 14 Discussion 4/18: • Replies to Peers 4/19-4/25 4/22: • Chapter 15: Defenses: Justification • Chapter 16: Defenses: Excuses 4/25: • Chapter 15&16 Assignment • Module 5 Quiz 4/26-5/2 Final Project Work on Final Project Work on Final Project 5/3-5/9 Final Project Work on Final Project 5/4: Final Project Due before 10:00 p.m. 5/10-5/14 FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED Final grades will be submitted no later than 5/11 COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Assignments 40% • Discussions 15% • Quizzes 25% • Course Project 20% 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 Wi-Fi 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 I DO NOT accept late work. All assignments are due as scheduled. There are a few exceptions but those will be discussed on a case-by-case basis (ex. medical situations such as hospitalization). Preferred means of communication: Email: tnstelly@lit.edu or phone: (409) 247-5224 Communication Response Time: Expected response time for communications with instructor is 24-48 hours (except weekends). Grading Response Time: Assignments should be returned with grades within 1 week.