Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
Cj 430, Crime & Criminal Law
Fall '2008
Dr. Reynolds
Prerequisite:
Cj 201, Introduction to Criminal Justice (student
must have earned a grade of C or above in this course)
Office
Location: Building 4, Room Number 148
Office
Telephone: (973) 618-3527
Office
Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays,
Thursdays, 11-12
noon; Tuesdays, 10—12
Email: mreynolds@caldwell.edu
If
I am not in my office, please leave a voice mail and I will get back to you as
soon as possible. I AM NOT ON CAMPUS ON
FRIDAYS!
Required
Text:
Reid, Sue Titus. 2007. Criminal
Law. 7th. ed. NY:
Course
Description: Traces the definition of crime and
the origins of criminal law in the
Course
Objectives:
v
To introduce students to the concept
that criminal laws are necessary to preserve a free society and the role of the
state and citizens in preserving such a free society;
v
To introduce students to the history,
development, and sources of the substantive criminal law;
v
To introduce students to the major
common law crimes, definitions of various crimes, elements necessary to prove
each crime, and possible defenses to crime;
v
To introduce students to the
development of crimes from common law origin to codification, i.e., the Model Penal
Code and the NJ Code of Criminal Justice;
v
To familiarize students with federal
and state statutes and case law; and
v
To develop the reading, writing,
research, problem solving, and critical thinking skills of students in
preparation for a career in criminal justice and/or informed participatory
citizenship.
Course
Requirements:
A. Exams:
There will be three exams spaced evenly throughout the course of the
semester. Exams will be based on text
readings, class lectures, and class discussions. Students are responsible for all information
in their text chapters, even if we do not go over the material in class. Exams will be a combination of objective
questions (fill-ins, completions, multiple choice, true/false), short answer
questions, and essay questions. Time
permitting, we will review for exams.
THERE ARE NO MAKE-UPS FOR MISSED
EXAMS! (Unless there was a
death in the student's immediate family, the student is an athlete with a game
scheduled, or the student is ill and has a note from their family doctor). In any of the aforementioned scenarios the
student must alert the professor of their situation at least one day prior to the exam. Do not just fail to show up for an exam
because you will get a zero for the exam and will not be able to make it up. There
are no make-ups for the final exam. All
exams are of equal weight in determining the student's final grade.
The final exam is scheduled for
B. Problem Solving
Exercises: After we
finish most chapters, we will complete problem solving exercises to do either
alone or with a small group of your classmates.
The problems are based on chapter material and will help you to
comprehend the text material. You are to
use your text to solve these problems.
Your answers should be based on the factual evidence (Laws, Statutes, and Legal Reasoning) you
find in your textbook to support your position.
Problem solving exercises are not to be graded. Your answers are to be completed in class,
and handed in at the end of the class period. Failure to complete these in class exercises will be considered as not
participating, and will negatively affect your final grade.
We
will cover the following text chapters (subject to revision at the discretion
of the instructor):
Chapter 1 An
Introduction to Criminal Law
Chapter 2 Elements of a Crime
Chapter 4 Defenses to Criminal Culpability: Part I
Chapter 5 Defenses to Criminal Culpability: Part II
Chapter 6 Criminal Homicide
Chapter 7 Assault, Robbery, Rape, and Other Serious Crimes
Against the Person
Chapter 8 Property and Related Crimes
Chapter 9 Crimes Against Public Order, Morality, and the
Administration of Government
Classroom Policies: It is expected that
students will attend all classes, will read text material PRIOR to coming to class, will take copious notes, and will
participate in class discussions. Class
attendance and class participation WILL be
considered in determining the student's final grade. It is also expected that students will arrive
for class on time, and will be respectful of other students and me. Please be sure to shut off all cell phones
and pagers before entering the classroom.
The classroom is an environment for learning, and any student that
interferes with the learning process will be asked to leave. Childish behavior is not tolerated in my
classes! This includes socializing
during class, passing notes, acting bored or sending any other message that
this class is the last place you want to be.
Students with Documented Disabilities:
Any student who has
a documented disability and is in need of academic accommodations must contact
the Office of Disability Services (973-618-3645) and notify the professor of
this course. Students are required to provide
written documentation of their disability in order to be eligible for
accommodations. Accommodations are
individualized and in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992.
If a student with a
documented disability wishes to take their tests in the
Academic Integrity: Students are
reminded of the college's academic integrity policy, which is explained in the
college catalog. All violations,
penalties, and procedures regarding academic integrity are contained in the
ALL STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME TO MY OFFICE DURING THE
COURSE OF THE SEMESTER FOR HELP WITH COURSE CONTENT, STUDYING FOR EXAMS, THEIR
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS, OR JUST TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES! DO NOT FEEL SHY ABOUT COMING TO SEE ME! I WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU SO THAT YOU CAN BE
SUCCESSFUL IN THIS CLASS AND OTHERS, AND I CAN ONLY DO THAT IF WE COMMUNICATE
WITH EACH OTHER! IF YOU ARE HAVING
PROBLEMS OF ANY KIND PLEASE LET ME KNOW!