CJ 325: Juvenile Justice

Sec. 202

Jeffrey D. Bella

Office: Smith Hall

Office Phone: 304-528-6379 or 304-610-7632 (cell)

Fax: 304/696-3085

Email:

Office hours: Tuesdays 5:30-6:30(or by appointment)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the historical development, legal foundations, and present system of juvenile justice. The present juvenile justice system will be better understood through discussion of the text book, critical thinking assignments and guest presenters who are currently employed in juvenile justice. (3 credit hours)

  • Prerequisite: CJ 200
  • CJ 325 convenes on Tuesday 6:30-9:00 in SH 418

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE & CRIMINOLOGY PROGRAM

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice, and in part emphasized and reinforced through this course, students will demonstrate:

  • knowledge of the role of law enforcement in the adult and juvenile justice systems, the agencies, policies, practices, administration, and procedures of law enforcement in the adult and juvenile systems, and the interaction of law enforcement in the adult and juvenile systems with other justice components and with society.
  • knowledge of the adjudication of law in the adult and juvenile systems, including the creation, development, and application of law, the role of the courts and attorneys in the justice process for both adults and juveniles, protections for accused persons, court administration, and the interaction of the courts in the adult and juvenile systems with other justice components and with society.
  • knowledge of the role of corrections in the adult and juvenile justice systems, the philosophies of punishment, the agencies, policies, practices, administration, and procedures of corrections, and the interaction of corrections with other justice components and with society.
  • knowledge of criminological theory and its role in the analysis of adult and juvenile delinquent and criminal behavior and in the practice of justice, including the role of theory in the practice of law enforcement, the practice of law, adjudication, and sentencing, and in the practice of corrections.
  • knowledge of human diversity as it impacts, and is impacted by the philosophy and practice of law enforcement, law, and corrections in both the adult and juvenile systems.
  • knowledge of research and methods and the relationship of research to the practice of law enforcement, law, and corrections in both the adult and juvenile systems.
  • skills in recognizing, evaluating, and resolving situations involving ethical dilemmas in law enforcement, law and legal processes, and corrections.
  • skills in the practical application of classroom learning to real-world situations in criminal justice and/or criminology.
  • skills in written communication.
  • skills in obtaining, understanding, critically evaluating and applying information from scholarly research as it relates to material in the classroom.
  • awareness of and sensitivity to human, social, and cultural diversity.
  • awareness of and sensitivity to the complex nature of social problems that relate to crime and to the practice of criminal justice and criminology.
  • motivation to act as agents of positive change within their communities to address the complex problems of crime and delinquency.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS COURSE

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • explain the history of the juvenile justice system.
  • apply theoretical explanations to juvenile delinquent behavior.
  • identify stages of youth development.
  • differentiate characteristics of youth as offenders, victims, and youth at risk.
  • develop a systems perspective of law enforcement, the court system, corrections, and the community.
  • determine successful treatments and preventative measures for youth.
  • describe the juvenile justice system and how it responds to youth.
  • critically apply key course concepts to scholarly literature.

Required Text:

Hess, K. M. (2010). Juvenile justice (5th ed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.

Additional Readings:

Scott, C. (2005). Roper v. Simmons: Can juvenile offenders be executed? Journal of the American

Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 33(4), 547-552.

  • COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS

Students must have a computer or access to one, as well as access to the Internet to send and receive email messages. If you are using an email account other than your Marshall email account, (i.e., hotmail, yahoo, aol, etc.) you must set your Marshall email account to forward to your other account. In addition, all students are responsible for knowing the University Computing Services’ Acceptable Use Policy.

  • ASSESSMENT MEASURES AND DETERMINATION OF GRADES

Each student learning outcome is assessed in the following manner:

Course Requirements:The grading scale is as follows:

Exams (450 pts)800-720 = A719-640 = B639-560 = C

Critical analyses (200 pts)559-480 = D479 & below = F

Class Attendance (150 pts)

800 total points for the class

  • EXAMS

There are three exams (there are no “take-home” exams in this class). Each exam is worth 150 points. All exams consist of multiple choice, true/false, short answer, matching, listing, fill-in and/or any combination of the above.

Exam & Make-up Exam Policy:

Examinations must be taken during the periods designated in the syllabus. If a student arrives late for an exam, the student can complete the exam but only in the original time frame specified in class. However, if a student arrives after another student has completed the exam, the student who was late will not be allowed to take the examination, because the exam has been compromised. In other words, the student cannot take the exam or make up the exam; the student will receive a grade of zero for the examination. Deviations from this policy can be made if the student makes provisions with the instructor before the test date.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify me if he/she is unable to take an examination. Students must contact me prior to the administration of the exam. (If I am not contacted prior to the exam or if you do not show up to take the exam, you will receive a failing grade for the exam.) For those students who contact me and have a legitimate excuse (includes family emergencies/illness or pre-approved university sponsored activities), an alternative time to take the exam will be determined. The format of the make-up exam will be left to my discretion.

  • CRITICAL ANALYESES

Several weekly assignments will be administered throughout the course in which you will apply your knowledge of course content and build on existing skills. These assignments may be in the form of an in-class or out-of-class exercise, most of which will be one-page in length.

  • CLASS ATTENDANCE& QUIZZES

Students are expected to attend class and participate regularly. Attendance will be recorded daily. I understand that there are circumstances that may arise throughout the semester that prevent a student from attending class. Documentation of an excused absence can be obtained from the Dean of Student Affairs, MSC 2W38. Excused absences include: death or illness of an immediate family member, pre-approved university sponsored activity, athletics, academic activities, short-term military obligation, jury duty/court appointment, and/or religious holiday (see MU Undergraduate Catalog). In addition, I reserve the right to administer quizzes when necessary; there are no make-ups for quizzes or in-class assignments unless a verified legitimate excuse has been obtained from the Dean of Student Affairs, MSC 2W38 (see Class Attendance Policy). Quizzes will be administered if class participation is lacking or the material is not being reviewed before class.

  • ADDITIONAL POLICIES

Emails and Teacher-Student Correspondence:

If you have any questions about the course material, exams, or assignments you may email me, visit me during my office hours or schedule an appointment. If you email me, under most circumstances, I will get back to you within 24 hours. However, there may be times when I am out of the office (for meetings, class, or conferences), hence, delaying my response.

Academic Dishonesty:

I assume that every student is familiar with MU’s Academic Dishonesty policy. Academic Dishonesty includes cheating, fabrication and falsification of data or information, plagiarism, bribes/favors/threats, and complicity. More specifically with regards to plagiarism, “It is the student’s responsibility to clearly distinguish their own work from that created by others. This includes the proper use of quotation marks, paraphrase and the citation of the original source. Students are responsible for both intentional and unintentional acts of plagiarism” (MU Undergraduate Catalog). If a student violates this policy, discretion will be used by the instructor; the possible sanction to be applied will be a failing grade for the assignment, exam, or paper. For those of you who need a reminder about the policy, please refer to the MU Undergraduate Catalog.

Policy for Students with Disabilities:Marshall University is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with physical, learning and psychological disabilities. University policy states that it is the responsibility of students with disabilities to contact the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS) in Prichard Hall 117, phone 304 696-2271 to provide documentation of their disability. Following this, the DSS Coordinator will send a letter to each of the student’s instructors outlining the academic accommodation he/she will need to ensure equality in classroom experiences, outside assignment, testing and grading. The instructor and student will meet to discuss how the accommodation(s) requested will be provided. For more information, please visit or contact Disabled Student Services Office at Prichard Hall 11, phone 304-696-2271.

Affirmative Action Policy: This course will follow MarshallUniversity’s policy on Affirmative Action, which can be found in the MU Undergraduate Catalog and MU Graduate Catalog. Specifically, all students will be afforded equal opportunity without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.

Inclement Weather Policy: Students can find information concerning Marshall’s policy regarding inclement weather on the university website and in the MU Undergraduate Catalog. Please note that a two-hour delay means that classes that begin at 6:30 p.m. begin on time.

Classroom Demeanor:

  1. All students are expected to be in class on time (including exam days).
  2. All pagers, wireless phones, electronic games, radios, tape or CD players, or

other electronic devices must be turned off before you enter the classroom.

2a. Textmessaging during class is prohibited; for each time a student is seen texting

during class, attendance points will be forfeited for that class day.

  1. All individual conversations are not permitted.
  2. Any questions that pertain to the syllabus, assignments, or grades should be

asked before or after the lecture/discussion begins. Questions asked during

the lecture must be relevant to the topic being discussed.

  1. Respect different opinions and keep an open mind.
  2. All students are expected to abide by the academic dishonesty policy-this

means no cheating or plagiarizing!

  1. Students are expected to speak one at a time.
  2. Working on other materials during class time is considered disruptive not

only to the instructor, but to other classmates as well.

  1. Do not use class time to catch up on your ZZZZZ’s.
  2. Support your fellow classmates and reward each other with positive

remarks/comments.

  1. No food or alcoholic beverages are permitted (non-alcoholic beverages are

acceptable).

  1. Students are prohibited from leaving the classroom once the lecture or

discussion has started. Only in the case of an emergency can a student leave

the room. If you need to leave class early for some reason, notify the

instructor in advance.

CJ 325: Tentative Topic Schedule- Spring 2011

DatesLecture & Discussion Topics Assigned Reading

Jan. 10Review Course SyllabusCh. 1

Introduction

Jan. 17Ch. 1 Juvenile Justice: Definitions, Measurement and ProcessCh. 2 CJ Pre Survey

#1 Critical Thinking Assignment

Jan. 24Ch. 2 Historyof the Juvenile Justice SystemCh. 3

#1 Critical Thinking Assignment Due and Discussed

Jan. 31Ch. 3 Theoretical Explanations of Juvenile OffendingCh. 4

Feb. 7EXAM # 1 (Chapters 1-3)

Begin Ch. 4 Developmental Risk and Protective Factors

Feb. 14Ch. 4 Developmental Risk and Protective FactorsCh. 5

#2 Critical Thinking Assignment

Feb. 21Ch. 5 Juvenile VictimsCh. 6

#2 Critical Thinking Assignment Due and Discussed

Feb. 28 Ch. 6 Juvenile OffendersCh. 7

Mar. 6Ch. 7 Youth GangsCh. 8

Mar. 13Exam #2(Chapters 4-7)

Begin Ch. 8 The Police and Juveniles

#3 Critical Thinking Assignment

Mar. 20Spring Break

Mar. 27Ch. 8 The Police and JuvenilesCh. 9

#3 Critical Thinking Assignment Due and Discussed

Apr. 3Ch. 9 Pretrial Services and DiversionCh. 10

Apr. 10Ch. 10 The Juvenile CourtCh. 11

#4 Critical Thinking Assignment

Apr. 17Ch. 11 The Juvenile CorrectionsCh. 12

#4 Critical Thinking Assignment Due and Discussed

Apr. 24Ch. 12 Preventing Delinquency and Recidivism

CJ Post Survey

May 1Final Exam (Chapters 8-13); Sec. 202

1

Spring 2011-CJ 325-Bella