CRJS 3719 - Criminal Law
Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 30565,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Christopher Bellas
Professional Qualifications:
Ph.D. Political Science, Kent State University
M.A. Political Science, Kent State University
M.S. Criminal Justice, Youngstown State University
B.A. Political Science, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
A.S. Business Administration, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Post Baccalaureate Certificate Paralegal Studies, Kent State University (Approved by the American Bar Association; 30 semester hours of law courses)
Distinguished Professor
Email: cmbellas@ysu.edu
Office: 1420 Cushwa Hall
Office Phone: (330) 941-2167
Additional Contact Methods:
https://ysu.webex.com/meet/cmbellas
Preferred Contact Method: email directly ( not through course messages)
Communication Expectations:
When corresponding with Dr. Bellas professional emails are required. Please visit this website on how to write professional emails to your professors as all these components are required as well as identifying: the name of the course you are in and whether it is in person or online. https:// www.purdue.edu/advisors/students/professor.php
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Bellas
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Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Criminal Law | Garnder & Anderson | 9780357935491 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Tentative Course Schedule
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/29 | Chapter 1 Criminal Law: Purposes, Scope, and Resources Chapter 9 Free Speech, Public Order Crimes & Bill of Rights |
The First Amendment (Free Speech v. Criminal Conduct) | Discussion post and Quiz over Chapters 1 and 9 |
| 7/6 | Chapter 3 Essential Elements of a Crime Chapter 4 Criminal Liability |
Elements of a crime and criminal liability | assignment applying elements of a crime to a current case in the media quiz over chapters 3 and 4 |
| 7/13 | Chapter 11 Assault, Battery, and other Crimes Against the Person Chapter 12 Sexual Assault, Rape, Prostitution, and Related Sex Crimes |
Crimes against a person | Assignment on Rape Shield Laws Quiz over chapters 11 and 12 |
| 7/20 | Chapter 13 Theft Robbery, Burglary and Related Crimes |
property crimes | quiz chapter 13 and 14 |
| 7/27 | Chapter 8 Criminal Punishments Chapter 10 Homicide |
different degrees of murder and the deathy penalty as the ultimate sentence | quiz over chapter 8 and 10 |
| 8/3 | Chapter 6 The Law Governing the Use of Force Chapter 7 Other Defenses to Crime |
discussion of use of force by the government and citizen against citizen Affirmative Defenses |
case study assignment (Trayvon Martin) quiz over chapter 6 and 7 |
| 8/10 | Chapter 5 Criminal Responsibility and the Capacity to Commit a Crime Chapter 16 Drug/Alcohol Related Crimes |
Whether one has the mental capacity to commit a Crime |
quiz over chapters 5 and 6 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.