Marine LtCol Thomas Jasper – PARK UNIVERSITY ADJUNCT FACULTY – CJ105 CRIMINAL LAW

Thomas F. Jasper Jr
Park University Adjunct Faculty
CJ105 Criminal Law
Semester Dates:  June 15 - December 8, 2009

CJ105 Criminal Law

for S2I 2009

Preview Syllabus

Course Description:
CJ105 Criminal Law: This course is a survey of the history and nature of criminal law in the United States. Substantive Criminal law, defenses, and criminal responsibility will be studied within the context of the criminal justice process and rules of evidence. 3:0:3

Educational Philosophy:

All students should engage in a life-long pursuit of learning to obtain a solid educational foundation in their chosen discipline.

I challenge you to absorb the presented information and academic perspectives and strive to develop independent-analytical viewpoints.  Be prepared to engage in lively class discussion and debate based from lectures, readings, quizzes, dialogues, and your pesonal experiences to enhance your academic development.

Learning Outcomes:
Core Learning Outcomes

1. Delineate a basic understanding of the historical development of criminal law in the United States, while perceiving the nature and purpose of criminal law.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the substantive criminal law, both common law and modern statutes, including the different categories of crimes and the elements of each.
3. Employ improved ability to effectively gather, evaluate, and communicate information in both written and oral forms

Core Assessment:

Core Assessment Assignment

For use beginning Fall 2008

During the course you are required to write three essays, each comparing a modern state statute with corresponding historical common law for that crime.  The purpose in writing these essays is to examine the historical development of criminal law from common law principles to current state statutes, the relationship between criminal justice and the law, and the social policy implications of criminal law development.

Instructors may schedule the essays to be collected all at once or at different times during the course.

To complete each of the three essays, you should:

1. Write three essays: One essay will discuss uncompleted or inchoate crimes or parties to crimes. A second essay will discuss a crime against persons. A third essay will discuss a crime against property.
2. Select a state and its statute making an act a crime (e.g. stealing).
3. Research the historical common law for that crime.
4. Based on your research, compare the current criminal statute with the historical common law to see how the elements of the crime have evolved.
5. Write a short essay, 1,250 words or five typewritten or computer-generated pages, describing the elements of the current state statute, the elements of the historical common law, and comparing the elements and how they have changed. Discuss possible reasons for the changes in the elements, how the interaction of criminal justice agencies and the law may have contributed to these changes, and suggest new changes in the statute, based on society’s needs today.

Each of your three essays must include:

1. A cover page
2. Introduction
3. Description of the elements of the crime under historical common law
4. Description of the elements of the current state statute for that crime
5. Compare how the elements of the crime have changed from the historical common law to the current state statute
6. Discuss possible reasons for the changes
7. Suggest new changes in the statute, based on society’s needs today
8. Reference page, using APA style

You must demonstrate that you understand the terminology and the concepts used in criminal law. You must write using APA format for all source citations in both the body of the essay and in the reference page.Be sure to review the Core Assessment Rubric.

Link to Class Rubric

Class Assessment:

A.  Chapter review (homework submissions), Chapters 1-14.  Be prepared to answer ‘questions for discussion’ at the end of each section.

B.  Three essays as indicated in the core assessment section

C.  Students will make a 15-minute class presentation on one aspect of the law.  Topic will be approved by instructor.

D.  Final Exam to be held in class

Grading:

Classroom participation from assigned Chapter and associated review questions is valued up to 10 points per class for a total of 140 points.
Attendance 70 points (5 points per session)

Three Essays 150 points (50 points each)

Final Exam 120 points

Student presentation 50 points

Total possible points:   530

A 477-530

B 424-476

C 371-424

D 318-370

F Below 318

Late Submission of Course Materials:

Late work will receive a 10% deduction per class session late.

Classroom Rules of Conduct:
Please be respectful of other student’s opinions and stay attentive throughout the entire class.

Course Topic/Dates/Assignments:

Session 1:  Chapter 1:  The Nature and History of Criminal Law

Session 2:  Chapter 2:  Criminal Liability and the Essence of Crime

Session 3:  Chapter 3:  Expanding the Concept of Crime

Session 4:  Chapter 4:  Extending Criminal Liability:  Inchoate Offenses and Parties to Crime

                 Essay assignment

Session 5:  Chapter 5:  Justifications as Defenses

                 Student presentations

Session 6:  Chapter 6:  Excuses as Defenses

                 Student presentations

Session 7:  Chapter 7:  The Defense of Insanity

                 Student presentations

Session 8:  Chapter 8:  Legal and Social Dimensions of Personal Crime: Homicide

                 Essay assignment

Session 9:  Chapter 9:  Legal and Social Dimensions of Personal Crime:  Assault, Battery, and Other Personal Crimes

Session 10: Chapter 10:  Legal and Social Dimensions of Property and Computer Crimes

Session 11: Chapter 11:  Offenses Against Public Order and Administration of Justice

Session 12: Chapter 12:  Offenses Against Public Morality

                  Essay assignment

Session 13: Chapter 13:  Victims and the Law

Session 14: Chapter 14:  Punishment and Sentencing

                  Final Exam Review

Marine LtCol Thomas Jasper - Marine Corps Marathon 2010

Thomas Jasper
Marine Corps Marathon 2010

Marine LtCol Thomas Jasper - United States Marine Corps 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Veterans Day 2008

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-081110-M-3580L-010.jpg
10 November 2008

Cpl. Jeremy Andrews, left, and Maj. Tom Jasper, both with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, stand next to a retired Marine as Andrews cuts a piece of cake during a small Marine Corps Birthday ceremony held Nov. 10, 2008, at P.J. Clarkes in New York. The Marines had just attended a concert by the Quantico Marine Corps Band in Battery Park. The Marines were in New York to support Veterans Day and the reopening of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum after a two-year renovation project. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Lewis.)

Marine LtCol Thomas Jasper - Marine Corps - 22nd MEU Photos

22nd MEU Photos

Marine LtCol Thomas Jasper - 2005 Oahu Perimeter Run

Marine LtCol Thomas Jasper - Service members and civilians get down and dirty at 12th Annual CSSG-3 Swamp Romp Marine Corps Base Hawaii News Article Display

Service members and civilians get down and dirty at 12th Annual CSSG-3 Swamp Romp Marine Corps Base Hawaii News Article Display



By Lance Cpl. Ryan Trevino | Marine Corps Base Hawaii | March 31, 2006



MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY --The 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment's "Steel Rain" led the pack of military teams that raced in the 12th Annual Combat Service Support Group 3 Swamp Romp held here Saturday. Their winning time was 36:54. The Headquarters Battalion's "Mud Warriors" finished second with a time of 37:28 and Camp Smith's "Soc it to Me" took third, finishing the course in 39:44. The overall category race winner went to a civilian team with a time of 36:52. The overall women's category winner was another civilian team, and the "Swamp Pikas" from 3rd Radio Battalion took top honors in the mixed category, which consisted of both male and female team members. 

More than 2,000 people looked on as the mud-soaked competitors fought their way through the 4.5-mile course that was riddled with obstacles, deep mud pits, and murky pond water. Parts of the race were also run on the beach here, according the Stacy Barkdull, varsity sports and race coordinator, Marine Corps Community Services, here. 

"There was even simulated machine-gun fire and fake mortars going off in the pond area, blowing up mud all over everyone," said Barkdull. 
More than 261 teams, consisting of six members each, from on base and around Hawaii entered to race in the event, which was coordinated and hosted by CSSG-3 and MCCS and sponsored by several businesses from the around Hawaii and abroad, said Barkdull. CSSG-3 provided more than 250 Marines from their unit to volunteer at the event. 

"This was the biggest Swamp Romp in twelve years," she said. "We had an awesome turnout. There were so many people involved - it was great." 
Barkdull said the reason this was such a huge event was because of the uniqueness of this race as compared to other races in Hawaii. 

"It's the only race of its kind done on the island," she said. "You can always find a 10K somewhere, but we are the only ones who have a race like this." 
The difficulty of the course caught a few participants by surprise this year. 
"The race was a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be," said David Prislin of the "Mud Warriors" team. "But, the ocean part came at exactly the right time and cooled us down halfway through the race though." 

"It was equivalent to running three PFTs consecutively," said Tom Jasper, also a member of the "Mud Warriors." "You're knee-deep in water and mud, 75 percent of the course." 
Jasper said the grueling course drains every ounce of energy out of you. He admitted that he would have rather run the Oahu Perimeter Race than run the Swamp Romp. 

James Connelly, team captain of the "Mud Warriors" said the course this year was more difficult than last year's course. 

"I think it was due to all the rain," said Connelly. "There was thicker mud, and we were slipping a lot and sinking." 
The "Mud Warriors," who came in second place in the military category and third place overall, said they were pretty satisfied with how they performed March 25. 

"We pulled together a strong team this year," said Connelly. 
His teammate Prislin added, "We came out here to do well, and I think we did that." 

Members of other teams who finished the race shared their thoughts on this year's course. 

Adrian Madsen, a member of a Camp Smith team, said he thought the course was great, but it was a smoker. 

"You have to dig deep to finish," said Madsen. 

Each team crossed the finish line equipped with nothing but their hearts and huge smiles on their faces. They had run the gauntlet and lived to tell about it. Not satisfied with the amount of mud they had already endured, the six-member teams then proceeded to run past the finish line and jump head first into a huge mud pit just to pose for team pictures. 

Trophies were presented to the members of the overall winning team, and plaques and medals were awarded to the top finishers in each category during an awards ceremony after the race. Even as the awards ceremony was underway, participants sprayed each other with water hoses, revealing the true spirit of the Swamp Romp - fun. 

Marine LtCol Thomas Jasper - OFFICER PROMOTIONS FOR AUGUST 2005 AND PLANNED OFFICER PROMOTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2005 The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website Messages Display

OFFICER PROMOTIONS FOR AUGUST 2005 AND PLANNED OFFICER PROMOTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2005 The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website Messages Display