The course covers the concepts and topics typical of substantive criminal law courses. We investigate the elements that define crimes and defenses. We look at certain constitutional doctrines as bearing on the limits of legislative authority to define conduct as criminal. The course offers a good opportunity to practice the skills of statutory interpretation, and confronts students with the policy and ethical questions underlying choices and implementation about what conduct should be defined as criminal, and under what circumstances the law should recognize excuses or justifications for otherwise criminal conduct.