CJJ 2002 SYLLABUS
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
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Juvenile Delinquency
CJJ 2002
Monday and Wednesday, 8:00 AM – 9:40 AM
Fall, 2012
3 Credit Hours
717290
9107
Instructor Information:
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Dr. Caryn Horwitz, Assistant Professor
School of Justice
Office: 9114
Office Hours: Mon: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM, 12:45 PM – 1:00 PM
Office Hours: Tues: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 3:20 – 5:40 PM
Office Hours: Wed: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM, 12:45 PM – 1:00 PM, 3:30 – 5:40 PM
Office Hours: Also by Appointment
Phone: 305-237-1731
Email: chorwitz@mdc.edu
Course Description:
Students will acquire a keen awareness about the concepts of juvenile delinquency, the
sociological and developmental views of delinquency as well as environmental influences.
Selected theories on delinquency and causes of juvenile delinquency will be presented. The role
of the different components of the juvenile justice system will be discussed; their impact on
prevention and rehabilitation will be emphasized. Juvenile justice advocacy and the future of
delinquency and juvenile justice will also be presented.
Textbook:
Juvenile Delinquency, The Core, 4th Edition
Authors: Larry J. Siegel and Brandon C. Welsh
Publisher: Wadsworth
ISBN: 978-0-495-80986-9
Class Requirements
Assignments: You will be required to take two in-class exams. Additionally, you will be required
to participate in one service learning project or write a research project on a topic approved by
your professor. Service learning will involve a short writing assignment as well as service to the
community. You will also be required to participate in all class discussions. You will be expected
to read weekly and daily newspapers and magazines, and be prepared to bring any interesting
issues into class. We will discuss service learning and writing requirements for either service
learning or the research project in class.
Late Assignment Policy: No late papers will be accepted.
Grading Scale and Policy: You can earn up to 500 points in this class.
Midterm Exam ==================================== 150 Points
Final Exam ======================================= 150 Points
Service Learning/Research Project ====================== 150 Points
Class Attendance and Participation======================= 50 Points You can earn 2.5
points for each class meeting (except for exam days). Arrivals 10 minutes after start time and/or
departures before the class ends will only earn you a maximum of 1 point for that class meeting.
Please see below for electronic device use policy. If I need to ask you to put away your electronic
device, you will only earn a maximum of 1 point for that class meeting. Thus, you have the
potential of getting 0 to 2.5 points per class meeting even if you are partially in attendance. For
example, if you arrive late and I need to ask you to put away your phone, you will earn NO points
for that class meeting. Please keep track of your attendance (including late arrivals, early
departures, and “caught by professor” electronic use violations).
A ====== 440 or Above Points
B ====== 390 – 439 Points
C ====== 340 – 389 Points
D ====== 290 – 339 Points
F ====== 289 or Below Points
Make-up Exam Policy: No make-up exams will be offered.
Class Policies and Methodology
Attendance: Attendance will be taken at each class meeting and is expected of each of you.
You earn points for attending and participating in class. See above.
Electronic Device Use: Please refrain from using any electronic device during class. If you must
make an emergency call, please step out of the classroom.
Email Policy: Papers need to be printed and turned into Professor. No papers will be accepted
through email. You may email the Professor for specific questions that cannot be handled during
office hours.
Equipment and Supplies: No special supplies and/or equipment to buy except for the textbook
used for our class. See above.
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Professor’s Expectations: You will be expected to take a key role in your learning experience.
You will read the textbook, attend class, participate in discussions, do your service learning (and
short paper) or research project, and take both the mid-term and final exam. Exams will be based
on class discussions/lectures and your reading assignments. If you miss class, please get
information about covered material from one of your colleagues in the class. Please do not write
to me and ask me “Did I miss anything?” Assume you missed something!
Methods of Instruction: Lectures and Discussions based on textbook and class participation.
Unique Requirements of the Class: Your active participation in your learning experience by
sharing in class discussions, doing your group presentation, and bringing current newsworthy
issues into class.
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Class Outline and Assignments: See below for reading assignments, dates for exams, and
dates for presentations.
College Policies:
ATTENDANCE REPORTING: Federal guidelines require that the faculty now report student
attendance. Students who have never attended class will be withdrawn prior to the withdrawal
date. If a student has attended class and wants to withdraw, they should do so before the
withdrawal deadline. If you have attended class but do not complete any assignments and stop,
you will receive a grade of F. If you complete an assignment and stop attending, you will receive a
grade of F.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Each student is expected to do their own work. Cheating WILL NOT be
tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, collaboration on exams or quizzes and plagiarized
papers. The first incidence will result in a grade of zero for the assignment. A second occurrence
will result in a failing grade for the class, removal from the class and possible additional sanctions
as determined by the Dean of Students.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1 – Week of October 1
Introduction: General Discussion
Week 2 – Week of October 8
Childhood and Delinquency/Nature and Extent of Juvenile Delinquency
Read Text, Chapters 1 and 2
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Week 3 – Week of October 15
Explaining Delinquency: Biological and Psychological Explanations/Sociological Explanations
Read Text, Chapters 3 and 4
Week 4 – Week of October 22
Explaining Delinquency: Sociological Explanations/Developmental Views
Read Text, Chapter 5
Week 5 – Week of October 29 MID-TERM EXAM
General Group Discussion
Mid-Term, Wednesday, October 31
Week 6 – Week of November 5
Gender and Delinquency/Family and Delinquency
Read Text, Chapters 6 and 7
Week 7 – Week of November 12
Peers and Delinquency/Schools and Delinquency
Read Text, Chapters 8 and 9
Week 8 – Week of November 19
Drugs and Delinquency
Read Text, Chapter 10
Week 9 – Week of November 26
History and Development of Juvenile Justice
Read Text, Chapter 11
Week 10 – Week of December 3
Police and the Courts: Dealing with Juveniles
Read Text, Chapters 12 and 13
All Written Projects Due on Wednesday, December 5
Week 11 – Week of December 10
Corrections and Juveniles: Rehabilitation or Institutionalization
Read Text, Chapter 14
Week 12 – Week of December 17
FINAL EXAM
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Course Competencies:
Competency 1: Provide an introduction to the basic theories and concepts involved in the study
of juvenile delinquency.
Competency 2: To promote an understanding of the interdisciplinary study of the juvenile
delinquent.
Competency 3: To identify environmental influences on delinquency which include the family,
peers, gangs, schools, the media, and drugs.
Competency 4: To present a basic understanding of the history and development of the juvenile
justice system.
Competency 5: To develop an understanding of a comprehensive juvenile justice strategy that
includes prevention and intervention for at-risk teenage youths.
Competency 6: To identify the different roles of the police, the courts, and corrections including
the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice in handling juvenile offenders.
Learning Outcomes:
This class will fulfill several of these learning outcomes which as graduates of Miami Dade College,
students will be able to:
1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
2. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
3. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
4. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives.
6. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
10. Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the
environment.
School of Justice Learning Objectives:
1. DATA
a. Use data to support Criminal Justice Policy Development
2. CULTURE
a. Create strategies to examine Cultural Beliefs about Right and Wrong
3. ETHICS
a. Effects of Ethical Decisions on Professional Behavior
4. COMMUNICATION
a. Communicating differences about Crime Control and Due Process
5. LOGICAL REASONING
a. Use Logical Reasoning to Improve the Criminal Justice system
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