This course will provide an introduction to criminal law and the legal system. Topics covered include the history and structure of the American legal system, the role of government in defining conduct as criminal, the elements of a crime, criminal culpability and various defenses. The course will examine how the legal system operates, basic categories of law, the individual within the legal system and the impact of law on society.
Core Courses are courses that fulfill lower-level requirements and apply to any transfer path major where they appear. Introduction to Law is universal course description, which maps to specific courses on SUNY campuses. Approved SUNY Transfer Path Core Courses are guaranteed to transfer to fulfill requirements in the major and/or required cognates (not just as electives) at all SUNY campuses if the course is completed with a grade of C or better.1 You may Search for Core Course equivalents using the Transfer Navigator.
1 While a grade of C or better is guaranteed, campuses can have different policies where they accept a passing grade lower than C. Pass/Fail courses may be accepted at the discretion of the campus, but transfer is not guaranteed.