PLG 211: Criminal Law

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:

  1. Explain fundamental criminal law concepts.
  2. Identify the elements of specific crimes applicable to a scenario including crimes against the person, crimes against property and crimes against the public.
  3. Analyze how the Constitution protects criminal defendants.
  4. Evaluate defenses to crimes.
  5. Explain the criminal trial process through sentencing and appeal.
  6. Explain the role of the paralegal in the criminal law system.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

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

WeekSLOsReadings and ExercisesAssignments

1

1, 6

Topic: Foundations of Criminal Law and the Role of the Paralegalw

  • Read:
    • Jirard, Chapters 1 & 3
  • Review Getting Started information
  • Review course syllabus
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the lecture material
  • Introduce yourself in discussion forum (not graded)
  • Participate in the graded discussion

2

1,2,6

Topic: Crimes Against the Person

  • Read:
    • Jirard, Chapter 4
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the graded discussion
  • Complete the Week 2 Quiz

3

1,2

Topic: Crimes Against Property

  • Read:
    • Jirard, Chapter 5
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the graded discussion
  • Complete the Week 3 Quiz
  • Start working on the Week 4 Midterm Project

4

1,2

Topic: Crimes Against the Public

  • Read:
    • Jirard, Chapter 6

 

  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the graded discussion
  • Submit the Week 4 Midterm Project

5

1,3,6

Topics: Search, Seizure, and the Fourth Amendment

  • Read:
    • Jirard, Chapters 7 & 8
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the graded discussion
  • Complete the Week 5 Quiz

6

1,3

Topic: Other Constitutional Protections for Criminal Defendants

  • Read:
    • Jirard, Chapters 9, 10 & 11
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the graded discussion
  • Complete the Week 6 Quiz
  • Start working on the Week 8 Final Project

7

1,4,5,6

Topics: Defenses and the Criminal Trial Process

  • Read:
    • Jirard, Chapters 2 & 12
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the graded discussion
  • Complete the Week 7 Quiz
  • Continue working on the Week 8 Final Project

8

1,5,6

Topics: Sentencing and Appeal

  • Read:
    • Jirard, Chapter 13

 

  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the graded discussion
  • Submit the Week 8 Final Project

09252023

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.