Criminal Law - Syllabus

[Terra Ishikawa]

Criminal Law
Fall 2011
Instructor: Prof. Terra Ishikawa
Time: Mon/Wed/Fri 11am-12pm
Location: Golisano
Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 2-4pm or by appointment
Office Location: Golisano
Email: [e-mail]

Description:

This course is a generic study of criminal law, and does not cover any specific regional law. Topics include principles of criminal law, principles of criminal liability, complicity, inchoate crimes, defenses, justifications, excuses, crimes against persons, crimes against property, and crimes against public order.

Course Objectives:

• To understand key cases, legal terms, clauses, and chronologies in criminal law
  
• To understand the criminal elements of crimes against person, property, order, and region
  
• To examine the historical evolution of criminal law maxims, doctrines, and principles
  
• To analyze both early and contemporary judicial thinking and legal reasoning
  
• To articulate informed opinion over important, controversial issues in criminal law
  
• To recognize important considerations dealing with the rights of criminal defendants
  
• To appreciate the scholarly study of law and its application

Course Text and Study Guide:

• Joshua Dressler, Cases and Materials on Criminal Law
  
• Joshua Dressler, Understanding Criminal Law

How to Succeed:

• Read the materials assigned to you and complete all homework assigned by the instructor.
  
• Take Notes: While I will be handing out guides and write ups of each case that does not mean that I will be handing you every bit of information that I will be discussing. Other material not handed out could show up on a test so please take notes.
  
• ATTEND EVERY CLASS: This is THE most important bit of information. If you do not attend class you may miss very important information. I may be more laid back with my ways of teaching but I do teach and there is alot of information given each class.

Course Requirements:

• Papers: From time to time there will be papers assigned to you. These can range from simple break downs of cases to full write ups of legal interpretation. These will count for 30% of your final grade.
  
• Quizzes: From time to time there will be pop quizzes given on the material we have gone over in the class. Most of them will happen sometime after we have gone over two chapters in the text. These will count for 20% of your final grade.
  
• Participation: We will have several mock trials throughout the course of the semester. All students will be involved in some aspect and will be required to give feedback after each one. These will count for 10% of your final grade.
  
• Homework: Aside from the papers given you will be given homework after each class. It will be collected the following class day so I expect it to be done. This will count for 10% of your final grade.
  
• Final Exam: 30% of your final grade will be made up of this final exam. The exam will test you on everything you have learned throughout the course of the semester. Please do your best to be ready.

Class Policies:

• Students are encouraged to ask questions about things they may not understand or even with to debate. Please don't be afraid to speak your mind!
  
• No Cellphones or Electronics of any kind! [Laptops permitted to take notes but I will check to make sure you're not on the Internet]
  
• Be On Time! Lateness will not be tolerated so please be on time.
  
• Do Not Plagiarize! This WILL NOT be tolerated in any way, shape or form. If you are caught you will be given and automatic F and will not be permitted to return to class for the duration of the semester.
  
• No Cheating: If you are caught cheating you will be given an F on the test or quiz.

Extra Credit: Extra Credit assignments will be announced through the course of the semester so please keep your eyes and ears open.