Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Criminal Law (Online)

CJ 1330-30I

Course: CJ 1330-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 12416

Course Description

 This course provides a foundational understanding of criminal law. An examination of substantive criminal law which includes definition of law, definition of crime, general principles of criminal responsibility, elements of the principle crimes, punishments, and conditions or circumstances which may excuse the accused from criminal responsibility or mitigate punishment.  (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): CJ 1010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D- 

Required Texts

 Criminal Law, Fourteenth Edition, ISBN: 978-0-357-93549-1. Authors: Gardner, Anderson. 

Learning Outcomes

This course helps students become better professionals by (1) empowering students to understand the criminal justice system and how to find answers to questions, and (2) building student professionalism through portfolio compilation, meeting deadlines, and grasping difficult topics. The expected student learning outcomes therefore are: 

1. Command of Content - students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of this course's content through the written word and examination. 
2. Critical Thinking - Students demonstrate disciplined processes of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. 
3. Information Literacy - Students identify, locate, evaluate, attribute and share information effectively and ethically. 
4. Be able to: 
     A. Identify the components of criminal law. 
     B. Identify parties to crimes. 
     C. Identify and define the elements of the major crimes against persons. 
     D. Identify and define the elements of the major crimes against property. 
     E. Identify and explain inchoate crimes. 
     F. Identify traditional defenses to criminal charges. 
     G. Identify and define the elements of the major crimes against public morality and against the state. 
     H. Identify and apply sentencing theories. 
     I. Identify and apply the United States Constitution to criminal law generally. 
5. Demonstrate familiarity with the terminology and methodology of criminal law. 
6. Explain the important phases of a criminal prosecution. 
7. Be able to apply the Rules of Evidence to general fact patterns. 
8. Explain the role of the paralegal as a member of the litigation team. 
9. Be able to discuss through online forum, contemporary issues in criminal law. 

Course Requirements

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS AND ACTIVITIES: Posted on Canvas as information becomes available. 

GRADING RUBRIC: 
• Regular Assignments – 65% 
     -Introduction 
     -Textbook Chapter Assignments 
     -Discussion Posts and Responses 
     -Charging assignment and trial brief 
     -Defense analysis, and trial brief 
     -Criminal law practitioner interview and paper 
• Exams – 35% (all exams are open book) 
     -Quizzes (Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and Rules of Evidence/ U.S. Constitution) 
     -Quizzes (Textbook) 
     -Final Exam 
• Bonus opportunities as provided (An addition 10%) 
     -Primarily: 
          ▪ Watching selected movies and providing written responses to prompts. (My cousin Vinny, Anatomy of a Murder, The Lincoln Lawyer, To Kill a Mockingbird, among others). 
          ▪ Engaging in video call discussions with the class regarding contemporary issues and discussion prompts. 

• Each project and assignment will be weighted equally within its respective category. 
• Students are required to stay current on Canvas, where readings, assignments, and exams will be announced. 

Course Outline

1. Basic Concepts of Criminal Law 
2. Crimes against the person 
3. Crimes against property 
4. Other criminal conduct 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All deliverables must be received online on or before the matter’s due date. Late submissions will not be accepted. If exceptions to no late submissions is granted, there will be a reduction in the percentage available on the assignment. In the event of an emergency or exceptional circumstance, an allowance may be made at the instructor’s discretion if requested by the student to the instructor as soon as possible after the emergency- timely communication is key. 

Attendance Policy

This course is offered online through Canvas. Students are expected to spend the same amount of time in their Canvas classroom, with their studies, assignments, etc. as is expected of students in an in-person classroom environment. Each week students will be assigned readings, studies, homework/discussions, project work, etc. and they are to complete such matters in a timely fashion. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.