CCCOnline LogoCourse Snapshot for CRJ205 - Principles of Criminal Law


The information listed below is subject to change. Please review the course syllabus within your online course at the start of class.

Course Competencies

The competencies you will demonstrate in this course are as follows:

  1. Describe the historical foundations of criminal law.
  2. Compare and contrast common law and statutory definitions of crime, and apply to factual situations.
  3. Evaluate key constitutional limitations on substantive criminal law, including relevant court decisions.
  4. Interpret key concepts related to criminal law, including accomplice liability, vicarious liability, and inchoate liability.
  5. Identify common law, statutory and constitutional defenses to crimes, including justification, excuse, and alibi defenses, and apply to factual situations.

Module Outcomes Mapped to Competencies

Module 1
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Identify the sources of criminal law and their historical background. A
2 Describe examples of constitutional protections that apply to criminal law. C, E 
3 Describe the elements of criminal liability. A, D
4 Demonstrate knowledge of different components of criminal liability using real-life examples. A, C, D, E
Module 2
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Distinguish between justification and excuse defenses. D, E
2 Identify constitutional defenses to liability.
3 Analyze application of defenses to historical cases. D, E 
Module 3
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Explain complicity and vicarious liability. B, D, E 
2 Define key terms relating to crimes with multiple offenders and inchoate crime. B, D, E 
3 Explain the concept of "attempt" and "solicitation". B, D, E
4 Distinguish between model penal code and common law requirements for inchoate. B, D
Module 4
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Identify required elements of crimes against the person. B
2 Identify constitutional problems with certain crimes against the person. B, C
3 Distinguish between model penal code and common law crimes against the person. A, B
Module 5
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Identify the required elements of crimes against property. B
2 Distinguish and explain differences among crimes against property. B
3 Explain the differences between common law and model penal code requirements for crimes against property. A, B 
4 Summarize crimes against public order and vice. A, B

Course Time Commitment and Expectations

The semester schedule for this course may be 15 weeks, 10 weeks, or 6 weeks in duration. Based on the course format, this table shows the approximate amount of time you should plan to spend per week on this course. This includes time to read/listen to the online content, participate in discussion forums, complete all assignments, and study the course material.

For accelerated courses, the amount of time required per week is greater. Note that regardless of course format, the course material is the same and all course competencies, module outcomes, and assignments will be covered.

Course Activity Hours and Student Learning Hours
Course Credit Hours Course Format (Duration) Pace Relative to a 15 Week Course Course Activity Hours Student Learning Hours Per Week
3 15 Weeks - 135 8.5 to 9.5
3 10 Weeks 1.5x faster 135 12.5 to 14.5
3 6 Weeks 2.5x faster 135 21 to 24
Summary of Grading
Assignment Points %
Student Introductions Discussion 10 1%
Discussions (10 @ 25 points each) 250 24.75%
Quizzes (5 @ 50 points each) 250 24.75%
Assignments (5 @ 100 points each) 500 49.5%
TOTAL 1010 100%

 

CCCOnline Course Quality Commitment

CCCOnline goes to great lengths to assure the quality of your online learning experience. You can expect the following from our courses: