Course Description
This course will focus on an overview of the criminal justice system. Topics include: legal principles, practical legal skills, legal terms, and concepts. Students will examine the role of the paralegal in the criminal justice system from both the prosecution and defense perspectives. (3 credits)
Prerequisite
- None
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Explain fundamental criminal law concepts.
- Identify the elements of specific crimes applicable to a scenario including crimes against the person, crimes against property and crimes against the public.
- Analyze how the Constitution protects criminal defendants.
- Evaluate defenses to crimes.
- Explain the criminal trial process through sentencing and appeal.
- Explain the role of the paralegal in the criminal law system.
General Education Outcomes (GEOs)
Please check the applicable GEOs for this course, if any, by outcomes at GEO Category Search, or by subject area at GEO Discipline Search.
Course Activities and Grading
Assignments | Weight |
---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1-8) | 35% |
Quizzes Weeks 1-3; 5-7 | 25% |
Midterm Project Week 4 | 20% |
Final Project (Week 8) | 20% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore
- Jirard, Stephanie. Criminal Law & Procedure: A Courtroom Approach. Sage Publishing, 2020. ISBN-13: 9781544327501
Additional Resources
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
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1 | 1, 6 | Topic: Introduction to Criminal Law
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2 | 1,2,6 | Topic: Crimes Against the Person
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3 | 1,2 | Topic: Crimes Against Property
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4 | 1,2 | Topic: Crimes Against the Public
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5 | 1,3,6 | Topics: Fourth Amendment and Exceptions
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6 | 1,3 | Topic: Other Constitutional Protections for Criminal Defendants
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7 | 1,4,5,6 | Topics: The Criminal Trial Process and Defenses
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8 | 1,5,6 | Topics: Sentencing and Appeal
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.