Department
of Social Sciences
CRJ302.48
Juvenile Delinquency
Robert Smith, B.S., B.S., M.C.J.,
Magistrate,
7th Judicial District,
Telephone: (252) 205-1990, rsmith@shawu.edu
Office Hours:
Tuesday/Thursday 5:00-5:40 PM
Spring 2006
Class Meets Tuesday & Thursday 7:05-8:20 PM
Course Description: The legal and social character of juvenile
delinquency is examined.
Course Goals and Objectives: This course will explore the concept and provide an overview of the theories of juvenile delinquency. It will also focus on disseminating knowledge that is necessary for persons who are currently working or likely to work in the Criminal Justice System in order to enable them to interface more efficiently with the constituent elements of the criminal justice system. It will endeavor to provide students with a thorough knowledge of the Criminal Justice System – police, courts and corrections and describe current methods of social control. The review of social and psychological issues associated with Juvenile Delinquency and the strengths and weaknesses of these methods of social control will also be examined.
Required Text: Bartollas, Clemens, Juvenile Delinquency. Seventh Edition.
Pearson Education, Inc.,
Grades: Class Quizzes will constitute 60 percent of the grade and the final exam will represent 30 percent of the grade. Ten percent of the grade will be for class participation. There will be a series of 6 short in-class quizzes. Each class will be a direct preparation for the following classes.
Course
Evaluation:
Attendance Policy: Students are required to attend class regularly. Final grades will be reduced for more than three unexcused absences or the same number of incidents of being late for class. If a student is not in class when attendance is taken, then the roll will record them as absent. No attempt will be made to adjust attendance records for tardy students. Students should not leave class and return, or leave class and not return, prior to the conclusion of regular class hour; doing so will result in a tardy.
Book Policy: The required text prescribed for the course must be brought to the class. Points will be deducted from final grade for failure to comply. Each student is expected to follow the syllabus and read all materials prior to the scheduled class time. All electronic and telephonic devices with sound alarms are prohibited from activation in the classroom. Should these devices get activated more than once, you will be excused from the class.
Make-up Test Policy: There are no make-up exams. Students will be given a total of six exams. The grade for the course will be based on the average of the six exams and the final exam. Since the final exam is comprehensive; when the final exam is graded; the portion of the exam that the student missed will be counted twice to compensate for any missed scheduled exam.
Student conference policy: Office hours will be utilized for conferences pertaining to all student and class issues. Seniors are encouraged to make an appointment for a conference (progress report) before making final plans for graduation.
Examinations: There will be six course tests that will be administered as designated on the Course Syllabus and in the Registrars’ forthcoming test Schedule. Each exam constitutes 100 points. The tests will consist of questions that are true/false, multiple choices, and essay. The number of questions will be determined by the relevant subject matter. Examinations are cumulative.
Contingency assignments: The instructor reserves the right to administer unannounced quizzes in order to assess class status and standing regarding the course. Students who consistently perform poorly on these quizzes will be presumed to have failed to comply with course requirements and are required to schedule an assessment conference with this Instructor. Good study habits are a student’s responsibility. Failure to study will affect the final grade.
Assignment Schedule and Grading: The scheduled exams constitute 100 points each.
Grading scale: A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F= Below 59 is failure.
Class Preparation Policy: Students must
take notes during class in order to retain material for discussions and
examinations. Class lectures are appropriated to college level discussion and
examinations.
Course
Outline and Reading Assignment:
January
Adolescence and Delinquency
16
17
&19 week 2
Adolescence and Delinquency
23 Last Day to Drop a Class
24 & 26 week 3 The Measurement and Nature of Delinquency (Exam I)
30 week 4 Theories of Individual Causes of Delinquency
February 2
7 & 9 week 5 Theories of Social Structural Causes of Delinquency (Exam II)
14
& 16 week 6 Social Process Theories of Delinquency
21 & 23 week 7 Social Reaction Theories of Delinquency (Exam III)
28 week 8 Gender and Delinquency
March 2
7 & 9 week 9 The Family and Delinquency (Exam IV)
14 & 16 week 10 The School and Delinquency
21
& 23 week 11 Gangs and Delinquency
24- Spring Break
April 2
4
& 6 week 12 Drugs and Delinquency (Exam V)
11 & 13 week 13 Prevention, Diversion, and Treatment
14 - 17 Easter Break
18
& 20 week 14 An Overview of the Juvenile Justice
Process
25
& 27 week 15 The Police and the Juvenile (Exam VI)
May
2 & 4 week 16 The Juvenile Court and Review for Finals
5 Last
Day of Classes
8-11 Final Exam Period