CRJ 409, Fall 2009

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:  Sarah M Prather

Office # 702-895-0206

Email:prather7@unlv.nevada.edu

5th Floor Greenspun Hall 5159

Office Hours for students:  Mon  10-3   Tues  9-11  Wed 10-3   Thurs by appt only

 

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:

 

Randall G. Shelden, Delinquency and Juvenile Justice in America. Waveland Press, 2006.

 

 

Internet

 

Ex Parte Crouse: http://www.sheldensays.com/Ex%20Parte%20Crouse.htm;

 

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. 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.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                             Schedule of Assignments and Exams

 

Dates                           Topic                           Reading Assignments                    

 

8/24                  Overview of class                       none

 

8/26                  Myths and Facts                       Shelden, Delinquency and Juvenile Justice in America (hereafter “text”), Introduction

    

8/31 - 9/2          Historical Overview                     Text, chapter 1; also read Ex Parte Crouse

 

9/7                    Labor Day 

 

 

9/9 - 9/16          Extent and Nature of

                        Delinquency                              Text, chapters 2-3;

                                               

 

9/21                  Youth Gangs                             Text, chapter 4                                                                       

          

9/23                  Review for First Exam

 

9/28                  FIRST EXAM (covering above assignments + lectures)

 

9/30                  Female Delinquency                   Text, chapter 5

 

10/5 – 10/7        Revision: PowerPoint presentation on 10/5; general discussion with your comments on 10/7: Conservative, Liberal and Radical Views of Crime

 

10/12 - 10/19     Theories of Delinquency              Text, chapters 6-7  

 

10/21                The Social Context                     Text, chapter 8

 

10/26                The Family                                Text, chapter 9

 

10/28                Review for second exam

 

11/2                  SECOND EXAM (covering assignments since 1st exam + lectures)

 

11/4                  No Class

 

11/9                 Schools                                     Text, chapter 10

                        Note new reading assignment. Dropouts costing California $1.1 billion annually in juvenile crime costs

 

11/11                No Class - Veterans Day

 

11/16               Juvenile Justice Processing           Text, chapter 11

 

11/18                Juvenile Institutions                    Text, chapter 12

 

11/23                The Double Standard                  Text, chapter 13

                        New Assignment: Strip Search Case in Arizona

 

11/25                No Class

 

11/30                Sensible Solutions                     Text, chapter 15 

 

12/2                  Review for final exam

 

12/9                FINAL EXAM (covering assignments since 2nd exam + lectures), 8AM for section 1 and 10AM for section 2