Course Syllabus

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ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE 2

CONCEPTS OF CRIMINAL LAW

 Instructor: Curtis Walker

East Los Angeles College

Office: Building F-9, Room 110

Office Phone: (323) 265-8834

e-mail: walkercj2@elac.edu

THE COURSE

This course offers an introduction to the concepts of criminal law, including the history, sources, and philosophy of our modern criminal law system. It also discusses the relationship of Constitutional law concepts to our modern statutes, case law, and precedents.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, the following Course Learning Outcomes (CLO’s) shall be attained: 

  1. Identify the three primary sources of criminal law within the United States.
  2. Identify the classifications of crimes in California from minor to major.
  3. Identify the first ten Amendments to the United States Constitution (the Bill of Rights) and know their relationship to the criminal law, specifically the authority and the limitations they establish within the criminal justice system.
  4. Identify the various “parties to a crime” in California and understand the methods by which criminal and civil liability are established. 

Upon completion of this course, the CLO’s listed above may be assessed as part of the course’s Final Examination.

 

CERTIFICATE APPLICABILITY AND COURSE ARTICULATION(S) 

This course (AJ 2) is included in the following ELAC Administration of Justice certificates and skill certificates: 

  • General AJ Certificate (18 Units)
  • AJ, Law Emphasis Certificate
  • AJ, Sociological Emphasis
  • AJ, Basic Academy Preparation Certificate 

This course is articulated at the following California State Universities: 

  • CSU Los Angeles
  • CSU Long Beach
  • CSU Fullerton

REQUIRED TEXT 

“California Criminal Law Concepts”, by Derald Hunt and Devallis Rutledge, latest edition.

ATTENDANCE POLICY 

The pursuit of an education is directly related to preparing for eventual entry into the work force. Knowing that the vast majority of employers do not tolerate tardiness or absence, the following policies shall be adhered to:

  • The student is expected to attend every class meeting.
  • Whenever a student’s hours of absence exceeds the number of hours the class meets per week, the student may be excluded (dropped) from the class by the instructor.
  • If a student stops attending class, it is his or her responsibility to formally drop the class, not the instructor’s.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to consult with the instructor regarding any absences, tardies, or personal situations that may affect their status in the class.
  • Three (3) tardies will be considered the equivalent of one class absence. 

CLASSROOM RULE #1 

Maintain an environment of respect at all times. Respect for yourself, for your peers, and for the instructor.

POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY (CHEATING POLICY)

Cheating is considered academic dishonesty and will not be tolerated. Penalties for cheating may include receiving no credit for the questioned assignment, exclusion from the course or receiving an “F” for the course.

COURSE WORK

Required work for this course may include periodic writing assignments, group assignments, quizzes, a midterm and a final exam.

  • Attendance/Participation (10 points): This is a college course where discussion and your participation is required.  Perfect attendance and frequent participation will result in full credit. 
  • Quizzes (90 points): Quizzes will be given throughout the semester to help with exam preparation. There will be no makeup quizzes. 
  • Exams (50 points midterm, 50 points final; 100 total): There will be a midterm exam and a final exam.  The final will be comprehensive and cover the entire term. The tests will also be graded by points, not by letter grade. Make-up exams will only be allowed in extenuating circumstances. 
  • Grading: There will be a total of 200 possible points earned throughout the semester which the final grade will be based on.  Grade categories shall be as follows: 

180-200 = A        160-179 = B        140-159 = C          120-139 = D          Below 120 = F 

  • Late Work: No late work will be accepted. 

 

AUDIO RECORDING 

Audio recording is allowed but only with the approval of the instructor.

OTHER CONCERNS 

Feel free to contact the instructor regarding counseling or other referral information. See the posted office hours outside the instructor’s office, or contact the instructor to make an appointment. The A.J. department employs a full-time Instructional Assistant and two part-time Student Tutors to assist you with this course, or any other A.J. course. Contact your instructor for details.

 

 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
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