Spring 2014 Course Schedule

Criminal Law (LAW-507-001)
Daskal

Meets: 01:30 PM - 02:50 PM (TTH) - Room 402

Enrolled: 82 / Limit: 90

Administrator Access


Notices

There are no notices at this time.

Description

In this course, we will examine the laws that prohibit and punish behavior that society has deemed evil, dangerous, or simply undesirable. We will begin the course by examining the goals of criminalization and punishment, and then turn to statutes, common law rules and constitutional provisions that dictate the imposition of criminal liability and punishment. Topics include: the nature of crime and its elements (mens rea and actus reus); common law and statutory offenses (e.g., homicide, rape); inchoate crimes (attempt, solicitation, and conspiracy); defenses (e.g., self-defense, defense of others, battered woman syndrome, necessity, duress, intoxication, insanity); and justifiable and excusable acts or omissions. A major focus of the course will be on statutory analysis. We also will analyze the theories advanced to justify punishment, both as a general matter and in response to specific crimes.

Textbooks and Other Materials

The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.

Casebook: Criminal Law and Its Processes: Cases and Materials
Author: Kadish, Schulhofer, et al.
Publisher/Ed: Aspen (9th ed. 2012)
ISBN: 9781454817550

First Class Readings


Skim CB 1-12 (background)
Read CB 75-82 (defining punishment); 82-91 through first Bentham excerpt (Regina v. Dudley; Stephens); CB 93 (Retributivism excerpt); 95-96 (Moore)

Syllabus

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