Faculty Syllabus

CRIJ-1310 Fundamentals of Criminal Law

Lori Smith


Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

CRIJ-1310-001 (49049)
LEC HAY ONL DIL

LEC TuTh 8:55am - 10:24am HAY

Course Requirements

Complete assigned readings before class.

Participate in class discussions and scenario-based activities.

Complete quizzes, written assignments, and assessments.

Demonstrate application of criminal law principles.

 

Readings

Textbook for the course: Criminal Law, 14th Edition, Cengage (ISBN 978-3-57-93549-1)

 

 

Course Subjects

This course is a study of substantive criminal law with emphasis on criminal liability, elements of crimes, criminal responsibility, defenses, punishments, and major offense categories. Students apply criminal law principles to factual scenarios within the Texas and United States criminal justice systems.

 

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Explain the purpose, scope, and sources of criminal law.

Identify and analyze the essential elements of criminal offenses.

Distinguish levels of criminal responsibility and criminal liability.

Apply criminal defenses to factual situations.

Analyze major categories of criminal offenses using legal reasoning.

Office Hours

M T W Th F 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Hays High School

NOTE Class is in person.

Office Hours

M T W Th F 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Hays High School

NOTE Class is in person.

Published: 01/19/2026 21:04:19