By the end of the course, students are able to

Where do our criminal laws come from, and how do we define a crime?  In what circumstances do we excuse or justify acts that ordinarily result in criminal liability?  What procedures has society developed for addressing criminals and criminal behavior?  This course will consist of two parts.  Part I explores the legal underpinnings of criminal law, including what constitutes a crime and how crimes are defined.  This section of the course will address the acts and mental states necessary for criminal culpability, as well as factors that can negate criminal culpability, such as insanity.  Part II explores the criminal justice system, from the role of the police, to that of the prosecutor and defense attorney, to that of the courts, and finally addressing the topic of sentencing and punishment as the end result for those found criminally liable.  Throughout the course, students will be exposed to aspects of various criminal justice systems to compare and contrast how different societies and cultures deal with criminal behavior, with particular emphasis on the American and the Dutch criminal justice systems.

Format
This course meets four times per week, and class time will consist of a combination of lecture, student presentations, and class discussion.  Students are expected to have completed the assigned readings and to actively engage in class exercises and discourse.  During the semester each student will prepare and give a class presentation on a current event or issue in criminal law or criminal justice.  Additionally, students will complete a mid-term and final exam.