Fall 2020 Course Syllabus Course: CRIJ-1310- Section: 71 Fundamentals of Criminal Law

Instructor Information
Instructor	Doneane Beckcom
E-mail	beckcomde@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6548
Office	Location: Student Center - Room: 415 Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00 - Noon; Thursday 8:00 - Noon; otherwise by appointment
Department	Business and Industrial Technology Chair: Dr. Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341 If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
COVID 19 Information	The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Course Information
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.
Prerequisites	None
Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the History and Philosophy of the American Criminal Justice System. 2. Explain the nature and extent of Crime in America. 3. Analyze the impact and consequences of crime. 4. Evaluate the development, concepts, and functions of law in the criminal justice system. 5. Describe the structure of contemporary federal, state, and local justice agencies and processes.
Core Objectives	* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication. * Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions. * Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts. * Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view. * Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities. * Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Textbooks	Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer. Criminal Law, 13th Edition Thomas J. Gardner Terry M. Anderson ISBN-10: 1285458419 | ISBN-13: 9781285458410
Lecture Topics Outline	Basic Concepts of Criminal Law 1 Criminal Law:Purposes,Scope,and Sources 2 Jurisdiction 3 Essential Elements of a Crime 4 Criminal Liability 5 Criminal Responsibility and the Capacity to Commit a Crime 6 The Law Governing the Use of Force 7 Other Criminal Defenses 8 Criminal Punishments 9 Free Speech,Public Order Crimes,and the Bill of Rights Crimes Against the Person 10 Homicide 11 Assault,Battery,and Other Crimes Against the Person 12 Sexual Assault,Rape,Prostitution,and Related Sex Crimes Crimes Against Property 13 Theft 14 Robbery,Burglary,and Related Crimes 15 White-Collar Crime,Cybercrime,and Commercial Crime Other Criminal Conduct 16 Drug Abuse and Alcohol-Related Crimes 17 Terrorism 18 Organized Crime and Gangs 19 Immigration Crimes,Contempt,and Other Crimes Against Government
Major Assignments Schedule	We will typically cover two chapters per week. Since this class is online, you are able to move through the materials at your own pace; however, it is not suggested that you get more than one chapter ahead. There are approximately 13 weeks of instruction in the semester to allow for review for finals. We are covering 19 chapters in the textbook, so this is about two chapters per week. You will need to keep up with the reading and discussion assignments each week or you WILL get behind! There will be a written discussion board assignment each week from the topic of each chapter/week. Discussion posts are due every Friday at NOON, no exceptions (unless Blackboard goes down). Your responses will be graded for accuracy, writing proficiency, and content. This is a way for us to do writing assignments for a grade while developing good writing and communication skills. You will receive more instruction for each discussion assignment as each one is posted. Tests will generally occur every 4 weeks throughout the semester, with a review prior to each exam. You will be given the dates the test will be open and when it will close at least one week prior so that you can plan accordingly. Tests will cover: Test 1: chapters 1 - 4 Test 2: chapter 5 - 9 Test 3: chapters 10 - 15 Final: chapters 16 - 19
Final Exam Date	December 8, 2020 - 8:00 AM   Through  December 10, 2020 - 12:00 PM
Grading Scale	90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Tests - 70% Discussions (blackboard) - 30% Your lowest graded non-final test will be dropped from your grade calculation, if you miss a test that grade will be dropped.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	The best way to reach me is by email. If you would like to see me in person please schedule an appointment.
Attendance Policy	As this is an online class, you MUST log into the course on Blackboard at least once per week to be counted present for the week. Regular prompt attendance is required. Excessive absences will result in reduced grades and/ or failure. You must enter into discussions, answer questions posed, engage in discourse with the instructor and post information that demonstrates a knowledge of the subject matter being examined when discussions are posted. ANSWERS ARE REQUIRED AND WILL BE GRADED. Answers simply agreeing with or acknowledging the statement, unless followed by an extensive explanation, are not acceptable. In addition you must demonstrate that your answers are academically related to the subject matter.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies	No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
ADA Considerations	The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLSCPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLSCPA.
Other
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.