Missouri Western State University

Department of Criminal Justice, Legal Studies and Social Work

LAW 110: Juvenile Delinquency

Meeting through Distance Education

Course Syllabus for the Spring 2014 Semester

Instructor Office Hours

Greg Lindsteadt, Ph.D. Monday and Tuesday afternoon

Office Wilson Hall 203D (Appointments available at other times as needed)

Phone: (816) 271-4467 email preferred:

Textbook

Siegel, L. & Welsh, B. (2014). Juvenile delinquency: The core (5th ed). Belmount, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Inc.

A SPECIAL NOTICE

Online courses require a disciplined and knowledgeable student. Someone who has time management skills, can utilize both PowerPoint lecture and text, has a basic understanding of computer tools and can communicate well in writing will do well. Treat this like a normal lecture course—read the text prior to reading lecture and lecture notes. Take notes as you go. Lectures will be removed after 2 weeks. You will submit your assignments in Microsoft word document (1997 or newer) only—make certain you have access to it. The learning management system Moodle will be utilized for this course. Realizing it is an online class please be certain to make attempts to communicate—this is how we learn.

Goals

The primary goal of this instructor for this course is to provide the student an introduction to juvenile justice systems, theory and practice in the US. Due to the extremely diverse & fluctuating nature of juvenile justice in the US time restrictions, this course will touch on each of these components only briefly. The student is strongly encouraged to pursue these areas of interest more in depth in future coursework and/or internships. Those interested in pursuing classes in Juvenile Justice should consider: SOC 110, SOC 400, SOC 430, PSY 101, PSY 309, LAW 200, LAW 210, LAW 270, LAW 440, LAT 350, LAT 370, SWK 250 along with numerous opportunities to work with faculty on projects in this area. MWSU also has a Childhood Studies Minor and a Social Work BSW for those who are interested.

Respect

The ability to be constructively critical of peers (and faculty) is an important component of this course. A savvy academic & practitioner should be able to hear those who do not explain themselves well, and explain themselves to those who do not hear well, without being degrading or abusive. It is the student’s responsibility as well as this instructor’s to attempt to make the classroom a safe and learning environment for all. Potshots at fellow students or faculty will not be tolerated. Criminal Justice & the Law deal with a diverse group of people, cultures and behaviors. Your academic experience here at Missouri Western State University is an excellent opportunity to practice tolerance and open-mindedness toward others.

Course Grading

Out of necessity lecture will be a large part of classroom activities, but participation is a key to making this course work for everyone. The instructor is a firm believer in ‘suiting up and showing up’ and it will be reflected in the grading of each student. A full 20% of the student’s grade will be based on participation in class discussions and assignments. That works out to be 2 full letter grades. These discussions are simply not ‘one and done’ discussions. You will be expected to utilize your knowledge to justify opinions—as well as respond to others. Discussions close as posted—pay attention to the date. Do not plan on make-up assignments being offered. Late work will not result in credit unless approved by the instructor. SAVE ASSIGNMENTS—they are fair game for Big Quizzes.

There will be at least 6 quizzes counted toward your grade. You will get these back –be sure to review your quiz to prepare for your Big Quizzes. Due dates will be posted—pay attention to the dates listed. Again, late quizzes will result in no credit unless approved by the instructor.

Finally, 30% of your grade will be made up of at least 3 section tests Big Quizzes throughout the semester. Tests Big Quizzes are made up of multiple choice and true/false questions, short answer and essay responses. You MUST be able to communicate your knowledge in writing to receive a passing grade. Testing may be open notes and book, closed notes or book OR a combination of the two, depending on the test material. Tests Big Quizzes will cover both lecture and reading material from multiple chapters. Length of time to take the test will vary pay close attention to this and the due date/time of the test.

Grading summary: 20% class participation or discussion

15% assignments

35% quizzes

30% section tests Big Quizzes (at least 3)

100%

Academic Honesty

Don’t cheat. Failure to submit your own original work on quizzes, assignments and tests may result in grade demotion or even removal from the class and university. Papers bought off the internet can be really expensive when factoring in such ‘hidden costs’ as a failing grade or removal from the institution. I expect you to do your own work and only take credit for your own work.

Academichonestyisrequiredinallacademicendeavors.Violationsof
academichonestyincludeanyinstanceofplagiarism,cheating,seeking
creditforanother’swork,falsifyingdocumentsoracademicrecords,or
anyotherfraudulentactivity.Violationsofacademichonestymay
resultinafailinggradeontheassignment,failureinthecourse,or
expulsionfromtheUniversity.Whenastudent’sgradehasbeen
affected,violationsofacademichonestywillbereportedtothe
ProvostordesignatedrepresentativeontheAcademicHonestyViolation
Reportforms.
PleaseseetheWesternStudentHandbookandCalendaronforspecific
activitiesidentifiedasviolationsofthispolicyandthestudentdue
processprocedure.[Addanyspecificclassdefinitionsofacademic
honestyandthegradingconsequencesofviolatingsuchpolicy.]This
handbookisalsoavailableonlineat
http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf

Regarding classroom etiquette

The student code of conduct can be found in the student manual. Remember, you are expected to conduct yourself as a University Student. If there is any confusion over what that entails please read the code of conduct or you may ask me. There are some specific situations that I would like to address at this time that are not covered in the student handbook. First, no speeches will be given about your phone usage—an advantage of distance education for both of us. Second, remember ALL communication you provide in this class is documented. Restraint of pen, tongue and keyboard is a good practice—think twice before you send. Third, if you do not receive a response from me within a reasonable period (48 hours) of time be sure to: double check to see if it was sent/received using your MWSU email account features, contact a classmate to see if they have received confirmation, or email me directly.

Finally, this course is offered via our MOODLEROOMS campus link. This system will have problems as might your individual server. Frustration and panic by students and/or faculty should be tempered. Resolutions to these issues, if they should occur, will be communicated to you as quickly as possible. Unavoidable System Errors (USE) will in no way impact your grade, but using USE’s as an excuse to avoid required work certainly will. USE issues will occur in your academics as well as chosen vocation—being able to adapt and complete your expected task will only enhance your credibility. Whining will not.

Regarding HELP

There are multiple sources for assistance both on and off campus for you the student. The MWSU provides the Center for Academic Support (Hearns 213), Non-Tradition Student Center (Eder 200), International Student Advisement (Blum 210) Academic Testing Center (Eder 203) and Career Planning Center (Eder 202/209) for your academic and vocational assistance. Furthermore, MWSU provides confidential professional counseling at the Counseling Center (203 Eder Hall) free of cost. Along with these resources, do not forget to make use of your fellow students and your faculty members when needed. Being a successful University Student is not something you have to accomplish alone.

Communication

All class announcements, schedule changes instructor to student e-mail communication will take place on your missouriwestern.edu account only and MOODLEROOMS. Make sure you use them. Please use Microsoft Office Word only (1997 or newer) to format your documents. No contact with the instructor, or the course module for 2 weeks and I will assume you dropped. You will receive notice and you will be required to meet with me if you would like back in. Class weeks begin by Fridays at 11:30 p.m.

If you have any disability that prevents the fullest expression of your ability to meet the requirements of this course, please contact me as soon as possible. This is the student’s responsibility and should be addressed immediately in the first week of the course. Reminders prior to the assignment, quiz or test should be sent to your discussion leader. Contact Michael Ritter if you need assistance:

School Cancellation Policy

Although this most likely will not apply to our course, since it is online-- Missouri Western State University will close only in extraordinary circumstances. If the University is to close due to weather/road conditions, the decision will be made as follows:

Daytime Closing – normally the decision will be made by 6:00 a.m.

Evening Closing – normally the decision will be made by 4:00 p.m.

Any closing of the University will be broadcast on the following stations: KCMO Radio (81 AM, and 95 FM), KKJO Radio (105.5 FM), KFEQ Radio (68 AM), KSJQ Radio (92.7), WDAF Television (Channel 4), KQ2 Television (Channel 2). If closings are not reported on the aforementioned stations, it should be assumed the University is open. It should be noted the University Administration will take several factors into consideration when making the decision to close the University due to weather/road conditions. Therefore, it cannot be assumed the University will close when area schools are closed. Notification will also be posted on Missouri Western’s web page.

NOTE: Professional email communication is expected--this would include a subject line, a clear message of the purpose of the email and an indication of attachments. I will reject those that do not meet this standard.

Tentative Schedule Law 110

Date / Chapter / Plan
January 13th classes begin
week 1 / Syllabus Intro / Review MOODLE, syllabus–class format, Lecture 1 Know Your Facts. Quiz 1 due by January 17th*. Assignment 1 is distributed and due January 20th* via MOODLE.
January 17th week 2 / Chapter 1 / Childhood and Delinquency
January 24th week 3 / Chapter 2 / Nature and Extent of Delinquency, Quiz 2
Discussion 1 --
January 31st week 4 / Chapter 11 Library PPT / Chapter 11 Juvenile Justice –
Assignment 2--APA
February 7th week 5 / Chapter 12 / Police and Juvenile Delinquency Quiz 3
Discussion 2--
February 14th week 6 / Chapter 13 / Courts and Juvenile Delinquency and scenario
Assignment 3
February 21st week 7 / Chapter 14 / Juvenile Sentencing and Juvenile Corrections
February 28th week 8 / Big Quiz 1
Chapter 3 / Big Quiz 1: Chapters 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14—opens March 3rd and Closes March 6th at 11:30 p.m.
Choice Theory
March 7th
week 9 / Chapter 4 & Chapter 5 / Theory: Choice and Trait Theory, Sociological Views of Delinquency, Quiz 4
Developmental View of Delinquency Quiz 5
March 14th
week 10 / Complete Chapter 5 quiz over Spring Break
March 21st
week 11 / Big Quiz,
Chapter 6 / Big Quiz over chapters 3-5 and all assignments, quizzes, etc—check the times the test will be offered
Chapter 6 gender and delinquency
* Have you met with your advisor yet?
* Last Day to Withdraw: March 28th
* First Day to Register March 31st
March 28th
week 12 / Chapter 6 Chapter 7 / Gender and Delinquency Family and Delinquency
April 4th
week 13 / Chapter 8 / Gangs and Groups
April 11th
week 14 / Chapter 9 / Education—Discussion 3
Quiz 6
April 18th
week 15 / Chapter 10 / Substance Abuse Quiz 7
Final exam assignment distributed.
April 25th
finals week / Final exam / Final is over chapters 6-10 only.
Final Exam Assignment due on April 30th at 8 a.m.
Test begins at 8 a.m on April 30th and is due May 3rd at 8 a.m.

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