Author:
Jennifer Dannels
Subject:
Criminal Justice
Material Type:
Module
Level:
Community College / Lower Division
Tags:
  • Criminal Law
  • LOUIS Syllabus
  • louis-syllabus
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
    Language:
    English

    Education Standards

    Introduction to Criminal Law

    Introduction to Criminal Law

    Overview

    These supplemental materials are meant to act as a companion to https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/criminal-law.  

    The materials include PowerPoints, open-book quizzes, guided notes for students, and reviews for the midterm and final exam.  Both the midterm and final exam are available upon request (along with answer keys for quizzes and guided student notes).  

    PowerPoints

    The PowerPoints are ready to go - just add your own pictures/videos if you want to spice it up!

    Open-book Quizzes

    These are great assessments to determine whether the students are understanding the material before the exam.  After grading, students can use these as study guides in order to study for the exams.  

    Students should use their class notes (which will be provided) to answer the questions.

    Answer Keys available upon request.

    Guided Notes for Students

    Hand these out to students before each lecture - this way, students can fill out in class while participating in the lecture.  Students will rely on these notes to fill out the open-book quizzes.  

    Answer Keys available upon request. 

    Oral Presentation - Self-Defense

    Student really enjoyed this project - if you have time, let them present in class.  If not, have them either present/submit a video of their presentation, or present to you in person during office hours.  

    Search the news (i.e., online, newspaper, etc.) and find an example of a case where a defendant has been accused of a crime, and asserted self-defense.

    Video-record yourself giving an oral presentation about your case (approximately 10 minutes in length).  The presentation shall include, at a minimum, the following information:  

    1. description of the case, including facts and type of criminal charge(s) brought against the defendant (5 points); 
    2. description of the defendant's self-defense argument (5 points); 
    3. whether the defense was successful in court (5 points);
    4. your analysis of the defense - any facts that may support self-defense, and any facts that cut against self-defense (5 points); and
    5. at least one visual prop during the presentation, such as a handout, PowerPoint presentation, brief video clip, picture(s), etc. (5 points).  

    If you do not have access to a video camera or phone with video capabilities, or would rather just present in-person, please see me and we can figure out a time for you to present your case to me during my office hours.  

    Have fun with this assignment!  It is due (insert date)!

     

    "This work" is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (Links to an external site.) 

     

    Midterm Exam - Review

    Syllabus and Tentative Course Schedule

    Here is a sample course syllabus and tenative schedule that you can adjust for your own needs.