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CRMJ 1311 (previously CRMJ 1110) Syllabus

Course Syllabus

CRMJ 1311 (previously CRMJ 1110) - Criminal Law

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course examines the emergence of criminal law, criminal penalties and how law is used to regulate human behavior. The study of substantive law, which defines the elements, rights and responsibilities of law, will constitute the primary learning focus.

Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  • Explain the basic sources of law.
  • Discuss classification of crimes.
  • Demonstrate how the Constitution limits the scope of criminal law.
  • Discuss the general principles of criminal liability.
  • Explain the law governing the use of force.
  • Discuss the purposes of criminal punishment.
  • Understand the basic kinds of defenses and concept of justification.
  • Define the concept of criminal homicide and other crimes against persons.
  • Distinguish between crimes against person and crimes against property.
  • Explain the difference between federal and state statues.
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

Satisfactory ACT or placement test scores.

Course Topics:

This course is designed in a linear manner; and covers the following topics:

  • The nature and history of criminal law,
  • Elements of crime,
  • Criminal liability,
  • Justifications as defenses,
  • Excuses,
  • Legal and social dimensions of personal,
  • Property, and computer crimes,
  • Against public order and the administration of justice,
  • Terrorism and human trafficking,
  • Punishment and sentencing, etc.
Specific Course Requirements:

The successful completion of this course requires that you participate fully in all class activities: studying the weekly textbook chapter, participating in the weekly discussions, interacting with fellow students in an informal chartroom, completing the quizzes, projects and exams, and maintaining regular contact with your instructor. Each assignment or discussion topic has a strict deadline that must be followed. Refer to the Assignment List and this Syllabus for more details.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

None.

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

All course exams are timed and submitted online. You have 45 minutes to complete each Quiz and each Exam. You are allowed two attempts for the quizzes and the highest score is recorded. You have only one attempt for each Mid-Term and Final Exam. Other graded assignments are the weekly threaded discussions and writing assignments.

Grading Procedures:
Assignment NameNumber of AssignmentsPoints
Module Discussions12 module topics @ 10 pts. each120 
Module Writing Assignments (Drop box)21 assignments @ 20 pts. each420
Module Quizzes12 module quizzes @ 20 pts. each240
Exams (Mid-Term and Final)2 exams @ 150 pts. each300
Total Points 1080

Weekly Discussions:

You are required to post a minimum of two of your own contributions to the topic and also post a minimum of three comments on other students’ postings. A total of 5 posts are required. The postings have to be spread thought the week and NOT posted all on one day. You will maintain a logical sequence for the threaded discussion, by reading all their classmates postings. Please be aware that the instructor will be tracking the number of postings you actually read on a weekly or topical basis. All this will determine the points you earn towards this activity. Specifically:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of others' ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Evaluating Weekly Discussions: Maximum points: 10

Your participation in the discussion enhances learning as you share your ideas, perspectives, and experiences with your class colleagues. As you develop and refine your thoughts, you broaden your own knowledge plus that of your classmates’ understanding of the course content. The following rubric will be used to evaluate the quality of your contributions to each discussion. It should also serve as a guide to what you can do to earn maximum points.

 

Grading Scale:
Point RangeAssigned Grade
1080 - 972 PointsA
972 - 864 PointsB
864 - 756 PointsC
756 - 648 Points
under 648 Points

 

Assignments and Projects:
CriteriaUnacceptable 0 PointsAcceptable 1 PointGood 1.5 PointsExcellent 2 Points
FrequencyDoes not participate at all.Participates 1-2 times on the same day.Participates 3-4 times but postings not distributed throughout week.Participates 5 times throughout the week.
Initial Assignment PostingPosts no assignment.Posts adequate assignment with superficial thought and preparation; doesn’t address all aspects of the task.Posts well developed assignment that addresses all aspects of the task; lacks full development of concepts.Posts well developed assignment that fully addresses and develops all aspects of the task.
Follow-Up PostingsPosts no follow-up responses to others.Posts shallow contribution to discussion (e.g., agrees or disagrees); does not enrich discussion.Elaborates on an existing posting with further comment or observation.Demonstrates analysis of others’ posts; extends meaningful discussion by building on previous posts.
Content ContributionPosts information that is offtopic, incorrect, or irrelevant to discussion.Repeats but does not add substantive information to the discussion.Posts information that is factually correct; lacks full development of concept or thought.Posts factually correct, reflective and substantive contribution; advances discussion.
References & SupportIncludes no references or supporting experience.Uses personal experience, but no references to readings or research.Incorporates some references from literature and personal experience.Uses references to literature, readings, or personal experience to support comments.

Examples of postings that demonstrate appropriate critical thinking skills:

  • “Some common themes I see between your comments and our textbook are….” (analysis)
  • “These newer trends are significant if we consider the relationship between ….” (synthesis)
  • “The current body of literature suggests the following standards or perspectives ….” (evaluation)

Writing Assignments: Each work you are assigned a writing assignment on one or more topics that has to be completed and submitted via the Drop box. The following rubrics indicate how your written work will be assessed. It should also serve as a guide to what you can do to earn maximum points.

Evaluating Writing Assignments: Maximum points: 20 0=not done; 1=needs extensive revision; 2=satisfactory; 3=strong; 4=outstanding:

Incorporates insights and ideas relevant to the topic01234
Addresses target audience01234
Discussion points/Ideas have a logical sequence01234
Integration of reference materials and use of prescribed formats01234
Correct grammar and mechanics01234

 

Class Participation:

Students are expected to:

Participation is required at least two times a week. Participants are expected to communicate with other students, learn how to navigate in D2L, keep abreast of course announcements and use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed to a personal e-mail address. Participants are expected to address technical problems locally. All people will observe course netiquette at all times--- no exceptions. Zero tolerance exists for failing to use netiquette.

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in D2L
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (D2L) e-mail address rather than a personal e-mail address
  • Address technical problems immediately: RODP Tech Support Web site. See also: Search Answers/Ask a Question (requires login)
  • Observe course netiquette at all times
Late Policy:

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021