Fall 2024 - CRIM 230 B900

Criminal Law (3)

Class Number: 2353

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6, 2024: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Sep 20, 2024: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Oct 4, 2024: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Oct 18, 2024: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Nov 1, 2024: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Nov 15, 2024: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Nov 29, 2024: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    CRIM 135.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Nature, purpose, scope, sources and basic principles of the criminal law. Study of certain fundamental legal concepts such as mens rea, negligence and strict liability. Analysis of the concept of criminal responsibility in Canada. Critical examination of the legislative policies expressed in the Criminal Code. Study of the basic elements of a criminal offence. Examination of the legal principles relating to certain specific crimes and to certain major defences. Impact of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on the criminal law.

COURSE DETAILS:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

(1) Understand the basic principles of Canadian criminal law, including the principles of causation, the elements of a criminal offence, the distinction between, and differential impact of, forms of liability, modes of participation, and the legal requirements for various criminal defences;

(2) describe the application of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to the criminal law;

(3) analyze legal jurisprudence and explain judicial interpretations of specific criminal offences and the application of specific defences;

(4) understand and employ the case law method of analyzing the criminal law, including interpretation of the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;

(5) apply the relevant legal principles, statutory law and case law to realistic and complex fact patterns.

Grading

  • Legal Writing and Style In-Class assessment (Week 3 (Sept. 20, 2024) & Week 5 (Oct 4, 2024))s( 20%
  • IRAC Assignments (Weeks 7, 9, 12 (Oct 20, Nov. 3, Nov 24, 2024) 50%
  • Participation (Continuous) 5%
  • Final Exam (As scheduled during the final exam period) 25%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

1. Verdun-Jones, S. N. (2020). Criminal Law in Canada: Cases, Questions and the Code (7th ed.) Thomson Nelson Learning. E-book available.

2. Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c. C-46 (available at: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/).

3. Case Law as assigned.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

If you have any Criminology course enrollment requests (course adds, course swaps), please contact a Criminology advisor. Please do not contact instructors for enrollment assistance as they will ultimately refer you to a Criminology advisor.

Criminology course enrollment requests should be sent to a Criminology advisor no later than the last day of the Second week of classes. Late enrollment requests are subject to approval and are not guaranteed. 

Enrollment requests for non-Crim courses should be directed to the advisor for the program offering the course. 



ATTENTION: STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY: Please contact the Center for Accessible Learning, (MBC 1250 or Phone 778-782-3112) if you need or require assistance, not your individual instructors.  

  • N.B.: Students are reminded that attendance in the first week of classes is important. However, there are no tutorials in the first week.
  • ON CAMPUS COURSES ONLY: Assignments not submitted to the Professor/T.A. during class/office hours must be placed in the security box behind the General Office (SWH 10156), or submitted as per Professor’s instructions for courses taking place at Surrey Campus. The assignment drop box is emptied Monday to Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. only, with the contents date stamped accordingly. No other department’s date stamp will be accepted (e.g. Library/Campus Security).  For the Surrey Campus, assignments must be hand delivered to the General Office of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, located at SUR 5180, on Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30p.m., or placed in the assignment drop box located at the southwest corner of Galleria 5.  The Surrey assignment drop box is emptied Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with the contents date stamped accordingly.  The School of Criminology is not responsible for assignments submitted in any other manner (e.g., slid under office doors).  The University does NOT accept assignments by fax or email.
  • A student must complete ALL aspects of a course (including assignments, exams, class participation, presentations, chat room components of Distance Education courses and other), otherwise they will receive a grade of N. 
  • The University has formal policies regarding intellectual dishonesty and grade appeals which may be obtained from the General Office of the School of Criminology.
  • Under GP18, the University has policies and procedures which respond to our obligations under the BC Human Rights Code to provide a harassment and discrimination free environment for the students, staff and faculty of this institution.  Members of this community have an affirmative obligation to safeguard the human rights of others.

UNIVERSITY POLICY FORBIDS FINAL EXAMINATIONS WHILE CLASSES ARE STILL IN SESSION.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.