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Northern Essex Community College

Module 1 Writing Assignment

Review the assignment overview, learning objectives, directions, and submission expectations before submitting your work.

Overview

Criminal law distinguishes between behavior that is inherently wrong, known as mala in se, and behavior that is considered wrong because it is prohibited by law, known as mala prohibitum. Understanding this distinction is essential for recognizing how legislatures define criminal conduct and how laws reflect societal values, public safety concerns, and moral judgments. In this activity, you will apply these concepts by drafting two fictional criminal statutes involving animals. One statute will represent a mala in se offense and the other a mala prohibitum offense. By creating and explaining your own statutes, you will demonstrate your understanding of the elements of a crime and how criminal laws are structured, while reinforcing your ability to distinguish between these two foundational categories of criminal offenses.

Student Learning Objectives

(These objectives support the assignment and are not the questions to be answered.)

  • LO1: Distinguish between mala in se and mala prohibitum crimes by identifying the defining characteristics of each type of offense. (SLO1)
  • LO2: Apply the elements of a crime to draft and explain fictional criminal statutes that demonstrate an understanding of criminal law classification. (SLO4)
Assignment Topic
  1. Review the definitions and differences between mala prohibitum and mala in se crimes.
  2. Review the Statute Template provided.
  3. Watch the video: The Four Elements of a Crime.
  4. Review examples of laws in the Massachusetts General Laws to understand how statutes are structured (for format only).
  5. Using the template, draft one fictional animal-related statute that represents a mala prohibitum crime.
  6. Using the template, draft one fictional animal-related statute that represents a mala in se crime.
  7. For each statute, include a brief explanation explaining why it fits the category you selected. Submit both statutes and explanations in one document.
Acceptable and Ethical Use of AI
  • Use AI to summarize the key differences between mala in se and mala prohibitum crimes, helping you clarify your understanding before drafting your fictional statutes.
  • Use AI to identify common structural components of criminal statutes, such as elements and definitions, to support your use of the statute template without generating the content of your laws.
Directions

Please read all instructions carefully before submitting your assignment.

  • Your paper should be 2-3 pages, using APA style, including 12 font and 1-inch margins.
  • A minimum of at least two (2) sources, with proper APA citations in a Reference Page and proper in-text citations.
  • Abstract NOT needed.
  • Submissions are checked against a Plagiarism Checker and AI Detector.
    • Direct quotes should not exceed 15% of the total paper.
    • AI Usage – you must use AI ethically. Papers written by an AI is cheating.
Submission Guidelines
  • Submit your assignment through the designated submission area.
  • Ensure your file is in [accepted format: Word, PDF, etc.].
  • Review the grading rubric before submitting your work.
Important Reminder

Important: All work must be your own. Follow course policies regarding academic integrity and the use of outside sources or tools.