This course is designed to develop an understanding of the organization, laws, functions, and jurisdiction of juvenile agencies. It will also cover the procedures and problems involved in handling juveniles.
Prerequisite/Corequisite: PSY 101, or SOC 101, or Permission of instructor
Course Objectives:
Introduce the student to the differences between the adult and juvenile justice and correctional systems. Explain the status offender and juvenile offenders now being processed as adults. Provide a comprehensive explanation of juvenile gang theories, and theories about juvenile criminal behavior in general. Contrast the juvenile social service system with the juvenile justice system.
Course Outline:
A. Periods of Juvenile Justice
1. Colonial Period
2. House of Refuge
3. Juvenile Court
4. Juvenile Rights
5. Reform Era
B. Measurement of Official Delinquency
C. Chronic Juvenile Offenders
D. Unofficial Accounts of Delinquent Behavior
E. Official vs. Unofficial Measures
F. Adolescence
G. Social Factors
1. Gender
2. Race
3. Social Class
4. Groups
5. Drugs and Alcohol
F. Psychological Positivism
G. Theories
H. Female Crime
I. Family and Delinquency
1. Child abuse
2. Family size and Birth order
J. Schools
1. Violence
2. Learning Disorders
3. Large schools
4. Student rights
5. Drop Outs
K. Gangs
L. Juvenile Court System
M. Prevention
Student Outcome Statements:
Upon successful completion the student will be able to:
A. Discriminate between the adult and juvenile justice systems
B. Evaluate the theories on gang behavior and juvenile criminal behavior
C. Determine the difference between adult and juvenile problems in both the justice system and the social service system
D. Identify the major schools of thought on juvenile treatment