CRJ 409, Fall 2010
Youth, Crime and Society
R. Shelden
Office: GUA, room 5140
Phone: 895-0251; e-mail: shelden@unlv.nevada.edu
Web site: www.sheldensays.com
Office Hours: Monday and Wed. 10-11:00 AM; Tuesday 8-11AM
Graduate Assistant: Omar Melchor-Ayala melchor2@unlv.nevada.edu
Course Description:
This course will explore the problem of youth crime and delinquency in modern society. The course will also focus on solutions to the problem by addressing several alternatives to institutionalization.
Teaching Method:
The class will be a combination of lectures and informal discussions punctuated with a couple of films. Each student will be encouraged to relate their own experiences (either directly or indirectly) with the juvenile justice system while they were growing up.
Required Reading: Click on title to order book and save money!!
Randall G. Shelden, Delinquency and Juvenile Justice in America. Waveland Press, 2006.
Internet:
Ex Parte Crouse: http://www.sheldensays.com/Ex%20Parte%20Crouse.htm;
http://www.sheldensays.com/conservative-liberal-radical.html
Suggested web sites for further reading:
Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice: www.cjcj.org
Justice Policy Institute: http://www.justicepolicy.org/
Building Blocks for Youth: http://www.buildingblocksforyouth.org/
American Youth Policy Forum: http://www.aypf.org/
Juvenile Justice Evaluation Center: http://www.jrsa.org/jjec/index.html
Center on Children Exposed to Violence: http://www.nccev.org/violence/school.html
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/
Course Grading and Exams:
Your grade in the course will be based upon your scores on three exams (each worth a possible 100 points). For each exam, the grade will be based upon the following formula: 90% or more = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, below 60% = F. Final grades are based upon the following formula: 270-300 = A, 240-269 = B, 210-239 = C, 180-209 = D, below 180 = F. Grades of plus or minus will be given in borderline cases. There will be an opportunity to earn some extra credit points by participating in a question and answer session two or three times during the semester. Tentative dates provided below. Details will be provided in class. Note: There will be no make-ups on these exams unless there is an extremely unusual situation, and then the student must contact our office prior to the scheduled exam.
Classroom Courtesy: Students are expected to conduct themselves accordingly with the rules and regulations of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Mature and responsible behavior in the classroom is required at all times. Tardiness, excessive absences, academic dishonesty, and/or inappropriate conduct may result in failing the course along with additional penalties as defined by the University, the College of Urban Affairs and the Department of Criminal Justice. Please make every effort to arrive to class on time and stay until class is completed. However, if you are running late, I hope you do not miss class because of this. If you are late or have to leave early, please do so as quietly as possible. Positively no cell phones, beepers, etc. are permitted (turn them off before you get to class). And please do not talk while others (including the instructor) are talking. It is rude behavior and will not be tolerated. Also, sleeping will not be tolerated.
Attendance Policy: Class participation is expected and very much encouraged. Although attendance will not be taken every day, on certain days during the semester roll will be taken. If you are absent more than two times, you will be asked to make an appointment with the instructor to discuss the matter. After the fifth absence, action will be taken to have you dropped from the class.
Disability Statement: If you have a documented disability that may require assistance, you will need to contact the Disability Resource Center for coordination in your academic accommodations. The DRC is located in the Reynolds Student Services Complex in room 137. The DRC phone number is 895-0866 (TDD - 895-0652).
Course Assignments and Exams: The following schedule should be viewed as an ideal plan, subject to change. If there are any changes, they will be announced in class. Students will be responsible for coming to class and being aware of any changes.
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Schedule of Assignments and Exams
Dates Topic Reading Assignments
8/23 Overview of class none
8/25 Myths and Facts Shelden, Delinquency and Juvenile Justice in America (hereafter “text”), Introduction
8/30 - 9/1 Historical Overview Text, chapter 1; Ex Parte Crouse
9/6 Labor Day
9/8 Q & A on chapter 1
9/13 Extent of Delinquency Text, chapter 2
9/15 Nature of Delinquency Text, chapter 3
9/20 Youth Gangs Text, chapter 4
9/22 Review for First Exam
9/27 FIRST EXAM (covering above assignments + lectures)
9/29 Female Delinquency Text, chapter 5
10/4 No Class - start reading the next assignment (see next line) in preparation for Q & A on 10/11
10/6 Conservative, Liberal and Radical Views of Crime
http://www.sheldensays.com/conservative-liberal-radical.html
10/11 Q & A on Conservative, Liberal and Radical Views of Crime
10/13– 10/20 Theories of Delinquency Text, chapters 6-7;
10/25 The Social Context Text, chapter 8
10/27 Review for second exam
11/1 SECOND EXAM (covering assignments since 1st exam + lectures)
11/3 The Family Text, chapter 9
11/8 Schools Text, chapter 10
11/10 Juvenile Justice Processing Text, chapter 11
11/15 Juvenile Institutions Text, chapter 12
11/17 No Class
11/22 Q & A on chapter 12
11/24 No Class
11/29 The Double Standard Text, chapter 13
12/1 Sensible Solutions Text, chapter 15
Review for final exam
12/8 FINAL EXAM (covering assignments since 2nd exam + lectures)