Juvenile
Delinquency
Spring Semester---2000
David H. Kessel
MENU
Syllabus for Sociology 362
Schedule of Topics & Readings
Course Objectives
Handouts & TSS Materials for "Introduction"
Book Report
Instructions
Internet
Assignment Instructions
Discretionary Assignment Instructions
Washington State University-Vancouver
Washington
State University (Pullman)
Department of Sociology (Pullman)
Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration:
Washington's Juvenile Corrections System
Criminal
Justice Resource Center (from Wadsworth
Publishing)
Juvenile Justice Links from Internet Assignment
TSS Directory
Course
Objectives for Sociology 362
These Course Objectives
will tend to be more
general than specific...but actually a
mixture of the two. They are intended to
"set the tone" for our course, to sort of set
our sights on where and how we're going.
They begin the "substance" of the course and
should be taken serious.
2. To learn how to practice "empathy" in the investigation and discussion of sensitive and controversial ideas and realities. To learn that empathetic thinking is more than "feeling"...that it is a practice (a way of being) which leads to informed judgments rather than surface conclusions.
3. To learn (and learn to use) some concepts of critical sociological thinking in order to better assess the Juvenile Justice System.
4. To develop a "self-consciousness" about ourselves in relation to the "learned values" which have been handed down by our society and its agents. This means to learn to take control of one's own "knowing" and thinking...to become one's own "agent" in the pursuit of knowledge.
5. To understand how the Juvenile Justice System works...in terms of what people actually do rather than what "ought to be" or what "we think is done."
6. To investigate the conditions which give rise to what we call "delinquency." To understand that this concept and the system designed to deal with it are the products of a particular social and economic system and will reflect the assumptions, principles, AND practices of that system...including its least desirable qualities.
7. To learn that "crime" is NOT a "type of behavior," but rather, is a "definition about behavior."
8. To understand the variety of paradigms and theories influencing the policies of the Juvenile Justice System...from parents to police to courts to corrections.
9. To understand the use of discretion at every step and level of the Juvenile Justice System...and its relation to the so-called "rule of law" that we believe in so strongly.
10. To
investigate and understand that "justice" may be more
than merely what a System says it is or
produces...to "step back" from our Juvenile
System and ask if it is, itself, a "just"
system.
----Introduction/Course Objectives
Class 2---1/19---SS1
----Concepts/Childhood & Delinquency
Class 3---1/26---SS1 & 2
----Childhood & Delinquency cont.
----Nature & Extent of Delinquency
Class 4---2/2---SS3-6
----Theories of Delinquency
Class 5---2/9---SS3-6
----Theories of Delinquency cont.
Class 6---2/16---SS7 & 8
----Gender & The Family
Class 7---2/23---SS7 & 8
----Gender & The Family cont.
Class 8---3/1---SS9-11
----Gangs, Schools, & Drugs
Class 9---3/8---SS9-11
----Gangs, Schools, & Drugs cont.
3/15--No Class--Spring Break
Class 10---3/22---SS12
----Juvenile Justice Advocacy
Class 11---3/29---SS13-15
----Police, Pretrial, Trial
Class 12---4/5---SS13-15
----Police, Pretrial, Trial cont.
Class 13---4/12---SS16 & 17
----Juvenile Corrections
Class 14---4/19---SS16 & 17
----Juvenile Corrections cont.
Class 15---4/26---SS16 & 17
----Juvenile Corrections cont.
----Conclusion
NOTE:
This is the "bare-bones" schedule of Topics and Readings...following SS's chapter order. We have ample time to cover it all...plus some additions/supplements along the way. I'll provide additional printed Handouts in a timely fashion...as well as required sites in TSS and on the Web in general. We won't, of course, be covering in class each and every topic/issue in SS's chapters...but you ARE responsible for all of it...use the text wisely and you'll do fine. Remember...no memorization is required...read for understanding...that's our goal.
Syllabus for SOC 362
REQUIRED READINGS
Course Handouts
The Sociology Shop materials
A- = 90-93
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 66-69
D = 60-65
F = ??-59
There will be three (3) exams in this course. The first two will be Take-Home Essay exams...worth 50 points each. The third, the Final, will be an in-class Essay exam worth 100 points.
----1st Exam: SS1-6, CO's, HO's, TSS
----2nd Exam: SS7-12, HO's, TSS
----Final: SS13-17, HO's, TSS
Analysis Papers
There will be four (4) analysis papers worth 25 points each (10 for doing it and 15 graded). The topics will be announced in class.
Internet Assignment
There will be an assignment involving the Internet worth 50 points. Instructions will be provided.
Discretionary Assignment
There will be a Discretionary Assignment worth 50 points. The type of assignment will be up to the student...hence, the name "discretionary." Instructions will be provided.
Book ReportThere will be a book report worth 100 points...on a book of your choice in the area of Juvenile Delinquency. Instructions will be provided.
Examinations (3) = 200
Analysis Papers = 100
Internet Assignment = 50
Discretionary Assignment = 50
Book Report = 100
TOTAL OF 500 POINTS IN COURSE
1/19-----Analysis Paper #1
2/2------Analysis Paper #2
2/9------Internet Assignment Due
---------Pass Out 1st Exam
2/16-----1st Exam Due
3/8------Analysis Paper #3
3/22-----Pass Out 2nd Exam
3/29-----2nd Exam Due
4/5------Discretionary Assignment Due
4/26-----Book Report Due
5/3------Final Exam
---------Analysis Paper #4--at Final
Assignments will NOT be accepted more than one (1) week after they are due. If you are late...without a documented reason...you will lose 7% of your score. Extensions will be granted (except for the Exams) IF you have a good reason (i.e. being "busy" is not a good reason!!).
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