Criminal Law Syllabus

CJ 2280

Fall 1998

Instructor: Phyllis B. Gerstenfeld, J.D., Ph.D.
email: phyllisg@toto.csustan.edu
 

Required Text:

Criminal Law, 6th Edition, Joel Samaha, West Publishing
 

Course Methods and Procedure:

This course will consist primarily of lectures, case study analysis, and classroom discussion. All students are required to read the assigned chapters in the text and any supplemental materials and be prepared to engage in classroom discussion, dialog, or debate.
 

Grading:

Grades will be bases on three criteria: classroom participation (10%) occasional quizzes and assignments (15%), and three written exams (25% each). Grades will be assigned as follows:
90 to 100 - A
80 to 89 - B
70 to 79 - C
60 to 69 - D
Below 60 - F
 

Classroom participation:

To receive a good grade for classroom participation, you must attend class regularly, participate in classroom discussions, and, when called on, demonstrate that you have completed the reading assignments. FREQUENT ABSENCES OR FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE ASSIGNED READINGS ON TIME WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT YOUR FINAL GRADE IN THIS COURSE.
 

Examinations:

There will be three written, closed book examinations. These books will be based on lectures, classroom discussion, and the readings. You are responsible for all material assigned in the text, whether it is covered in class or not. Make-up exams are highly discouraged and will be given only during finals week.

Quizzes and assignments:

There will be frequent in-class pop quizzes, and also occasional assignments to do at home. The purpose of this is to make sure you keep up with and understand the readings and lectures. To obtain your overall quiz grade, your two lowest scores will be dropped and the remaining scores averaged. THERE ARE NO MAKE-UPS FOR QUIZZES. Therefore, it is very important that you make every effort to attend each class. Assignments will be considered late if they are turned in after 2:45 on the day they are due. For every day that an assignment is late, ten points will be deducted from your grade.
 

Assignments:

Sept. 10 Introduction
Sept. 15-17 Chapter 1
Sept. 22-24 Chapter 2
Sept. 29-Oct. 1 Chapter 3
Oct. 6-8 REVIEW AND EXAM 1
Oct. 13 Chapter 4
Oct. 15-20 Chapter 5
Oct. 22-27 Chapter 6
Oct. 29-Nov. 3 Chapter 7
Nov. 5-10 REVIEW AND EXAM 2
Nov. 12-24 Chapter 8
Dec. 1-3 Chapter 9
Dec. 8 Chapter 10
Dec. 10-15 REVIEW AND EXAM 3
  NOTE: Due to extenuating circumstances, this schedule is subject to change.

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