COURSE SYLLABUS
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY SYP3530-RVC-20176
GENERAL INFORMATION
PROFESSOR INFORMATION
Instructor: Prof. Monish Shah
Office: SIPA Room# 302 MMC
Office Hours: By Appointment
Phone: (305) 348-2247
Fax: (305) 348-3605
Email: mshah@fiu.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores and explains youth norm breaking in the modern era. The course will examine
some of the formal and informal institutions designed to control youth offenders. It explores how
theorists and scientists have explained and studied juvenile offenses. It also examines juvenile
delinquency from gender, race/ethnicity, and class perspectives.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
analyze the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency
apply biological, psychological and sociological theories in explaining the behaviors of juvenile
offenders
evaluate various juvenile delinquency prevention programs in terms of their successes and limitations
investigate the role of the juvenile justice system critically and gain an understanding of the ways of
preventing juvenile delinquency
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TEXTBOOK:
Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Theory, Policy and Practice - Steven Cox,
Jennifer Allen, Robert Hanser, and John Conrad
Sage Publications 7th Edition, 2011.
ISBN 13: 9781412982252
Click here to buy your textbook online at the FIU Bookstore.
EXPECTATIONS OF THIS COURSE
This is an online course, meaning that most of the course work will be conducted online. Expectations for
performance in an online course are the same as for a traditional course; in fact, online courses require a
degree of self-motivation, self-discipline, and technology skills that can make them more demanding for some
students.
Students are expected to:
Review the how to get started information located in the course content
Introduce yourself to the class during the first week by posting a self introduction in the appropriate
discussion forum
Take the practice quiz to ensure that your computer is compatible with Blackboard
Interact online with instructor/s and peers
Review and follow the course calendar
Log in to the course 3-4 times per week
Respond to discussion boards, blogs and journal postings within 7 days
Respond to emails within 1-2 days
Submit assignments by the corresponding deadline
The instructor will:
Log in to the course 4 times per week
Respond to discussion boards, blogs and journal postings within 7-9 days
Respond to emails within 1-2 days
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COURSE DETAILS
COURSE COMMUNICATION
The email feature is external communication that allows users to send emails to users enrolled in the course
including the instructor and other students. Emails are sent to the student's FIU email on record.
This is the best method to communicate with your instructor privately.
ASSESSMENTS
QUIZZES
There will be 5 quizzes worth 100 points each, so the total will be 500 points. Each quiz will consist of 20
multiple-choice questions on its assigned chapters. Each correct answer will be worth 5 points, thus each
exam will count up to a 100 points.
To prepare for each quiz, study the following:
The text for each assigned chapter
Power point lecture slides for each assigned chapter in Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Theory, Policy and
Practice
The textbook’s (Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Theory, Policy and Practice) website study aids: flash
cards, practice quizzes, web resources, etc.
NOTE: The additional resources in the course modules: video/audio/websites are meant for reference
purposes only and WON’T be included in the quizzes.
In order to mitigate any issues with your computer and online assessments, it is very important that you take
the "Practice Quiz" from each computer you will be using to take your graded quizzes and exams. It is your
responsibility to make sure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements.
If you experience technical problems of any kind when attempting to take and exam (a) immediately contact
FIU Online Support Services by email or phone AND (b) email mshah@fiu.edu, in order to document your
problem so that a make-up can be arranged.
DISCUSSION FORUMS
There will be 10 discussion forums posted in the Discussions section. Each discussion forum will be worth 25
points, so the total will be 250 points.
Discussion forums will be graded based on the following criteria:
Discussion posting deadlines: Each response to a forum must be posted to Blackboard (Discussions
section) by its due date, as listed in the weekly schedule section of the syllabus. (The purpose of this
policy is to ensure that students engage the material, and each other, in coordination of course matter).
When the entire set of responses is posted at the end of the semester, the instructor will check to
confirm that each assignment was posted by its due date.
Relevance: The ideas expressed indicate that the student has read and understood the assigned
material.
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Clarity, coherence: The ideas are stated clearly and coherently.
Critical thinking: there is evidence that the student has adequately analyzed, synthesized, and
evaluated the assigned material.
Poses a question for discussion: The posting articulates a question for discussion that pertains to the
assigned material.
Spelling, grammar: The posting must meet university-level standards of spelling and grammar.
Length: The posting must be no less than 20 lines (Times New Roman – Font Size 12); there is no
maximum length
TERM PAPER
In this course, students will learn a wide range of theories that explain delinquent behavior, like: (1)
Anomie/Strain Theory; (2) Social Disorganization Theory; (3) Differential Association Theory; (4) Behaviorism
and Learning Theory; (5) Labeling Theory; (6) Conflict Theory; (7) Feminist Theory, (8) Rational Choice
Theory, etc.
ALL students enrolled in this section will be required to write a term paper in which you may pick a delinquent
act and explain it in terms of any three theories learned in the course. The papers should be FOUR-FIVE
double spaced, typed pages. Use Times New Roman Font-size 12. The paper will be turned in through turnitin
on Blackboard. The paper is due on Monday, April 15 by 11:55 PM. The Term Paper is worth 250 points.
Plagiarism Policy: ANY work that is not your own MUST be cited. This includes information that you have
changed the wording but the idea is the same. For example: “Not only was sexism assumed to be normal
during this early period of sociology, but so was racism.” (Henslin, 2011:10) and Both sexism and racism were
assumed to be normal during the early period of sociology. If you are not sure if something should be cited,
then cite it. You will find much less trouble for citing something that shouldn’t be cited than not citing
something that should be. A special word about the internet; it is very tempting to cut and paste information
from the web into your paper. If you do so, cite it. Wikipedia and Cliffnotes are NOT the best sources of
information. Information that is not cited is plagiarized and will result in a zero for the paper.
GRADING
Course Requirements:
Weight
5 Quizzes (100 points each)
500 points
10 Discussion Forums (25 points each)
250 points
Term Paper (250 points)
250 points
Letter Grade
Range
A
B+
BC
D+
D-
Letter Grade
Above 930
870-899
800-829
730-769
670-699
600-629
Range
AB
C+
CD
F
Letter Grade
900-929
830-869
770-799
700-729
630-669
Below 600
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COURSE CALENDAR
WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
MODULE 1
January 7-January 13
Familiarize yourself with the course website, syllabus, calendar, etc.
Introduce yourself to the course
Complete practice quiz
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 1, “Introduction to Deviance” pp. 1-17
Video: Equal Justice - The History of the Legal Aid Society
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEAI8MIPuQ
Video: Child Abuse – Prevention and Rights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1kKCyLRgps
Video: 40 Years After In re Gault: The Role of Juvenile Defense
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeGlnH7gTZo
Video: Juvenile Justice: In the Child’s Best Interest (2000); documentary film viewed online about
juvenile incarceration in Connecticut
http://www.archive.org/details/lu_cjts_at_what_cost
Website: Website explaining the history of juvenile justice
http://www.lawyershop.com/practice-areas/criminal-law/juvenile-law/history
Website: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org
Website: Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice
http://www.facjj.org
MODULE 2
January 14-January 20
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 2, “Defining and Measuring Offenses By and Against Juveniles” pp. 18-36
Video: Juvenile Crime in the 1930s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVzMhwwAO74
Video: Serious Juvenile Crime Rising
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNh232YLsAg
Video: Oklahoma’s Recidivism Rate Being Reduced
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qMDdX4jryQ&NR=1
Website: Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics
www.childstats.gov
Website: Uniform Crime Reports
http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/crimestats
Website: Youth Violence Statistics
http://www.ncjrs.gov/yviolence/statistics.html
Discussion Forum I: Due by January 20, 11:55 PM
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MODULE 3
January 21-January 27
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 3, “Characteristics of Juvenile Offenders” pp. 37-79
Video: Does Violence in Video Games Cause Juvenile Violence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W41kWXt_igM
Video: Juvenile Status Offenders and their Families
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wh1TKc_I2Q&feature=related
Video: People and Politics | The Fight Against Violence: Making It Easier to Punish Juvenile Offenders
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEqgmSbDxa0
Website: Psychological and social characteristics of juvenile offenders with serious mental and
behavioral disorders.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Psychological+and+social+characteristics+of+juvenile+offenders+with . .
. -a0234148363
Website: The Female Juvenile Offender in Hawaii: Understanding Gender Differences in Arrests,
Adjudications, and Social Characteristics of Juvenile Offenders
http://nicic.gov/Library/023426
DISCUSSION FORUM II: Due by January 27, 11:55 PM
QUIZ I: January 25 (12 AM) – January 27 (11:55 PM): Chapters 1, 2 & 3 from Juvenile Justice
MODULE 4
January 28-February 3
Juvenile Delinquency, Chapter 4, “Theories of Causation” pp. 80-112
Appendix: Criminological Theories Summary Matrix
http://www.uwec.edu/patchinj/crmj301/theorysummaries.pdf
Video: Integrated Theory of Crime; General Strain Theory in Criminal Justice by Robert Agnew; Part
1and 2 of a 6 part series available online.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA-7F1S1DNM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I8dE3QU3bk&NR=1&feature=endscreen
Video: Marxist theories of crime and deviance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rCnkDs0B_8
Video: Child Crime and the Role of Fathers - Part One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qIiJZG9yGo
Video: Juvenile Justice and Mental Health
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN059wWOmPc
Website: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/200/strain.html
Provided by Professor Keel of University Missouri St. Louis on structural strain theories
Website: David Matza’s theories of crime and delinquency and the application of techniques of
neutralization for juveniles
http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/matza.htm
Website: Poverty and Juvenile Delinquency
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http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/PageNavigator/c2pp_poverty
DISCUSSION FORUM III: Due by February 3, 11:55 PM
MODULE 5
February 4-February 10
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 5, “Purpose and Scope of Juvenile Course Acts” pp. 113-140
Video: Juvenile Crime Control Act
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHRr9V-oc3w&feature=related
Video: High Court Rules on Juvenile, Sex-offender Cases
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYx4d4-f9NA
Video: Rooney Speaks on Bill to Reduce Juvenile Crime
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PY1c550B2M
Website: Legal Information Institute
http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/juvenile.html
Website: State Statutes on Juvenile Interagency Information and Record Sharing
http://dept.fvtc.edu/childprotectiontraining/states.htm
DISCUSSION FORUM IV: Due by February 10, 11:55 PM
MODULE 6
February 11-February 17
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 6, “” pp. 141-168
Video: Juvenile Delinquency Court Orientation Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRXKIZTKJ-w
Video: Inside Juvenile Detention: Court Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diXmUvZb_eg
Website: The American Bar Association’s Juvenile Justice Center
http://www.abanet.org/crimjust/juvjus/home.html
Website: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
http://www.ncjfcj.org
Website: National Juvenile Defender Center
http://www.njdc.info/macarthur.php
Website: Federal Youth Court Program
http://www.youthcourt.net
DISCUSSION FORUM V: Due by February 17, 11:55 PM
QUIZ II: February 15 (12 AM) – February 17 (11:55 PM): Chapters 4, 5 & 6 from Juvenile Justice
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MODULE 7
February 18-February 24
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 7, “Juveniles and the Police” pp. 169-190
Video: Parents, Law Enforcement Square Off On Juvenile Crime
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah5r7FnMrF4&feature=fvw
Video: ABC News: Bullying Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wcx2qM5C4g&feature=related
Video: Brian Patrick “Live” - D.A.R.E.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhSXKVlPLRU
Website: Crimes Against Children Research Center—Hate Crimes Against Children
http://unh.edu/ccrc/general/hatecrimes.pdf
Article: Police Interactions with Juveniles: Arrest, Confessions, Search and Seizure
http://www.juvenilelaw.org/Articles/2005/Juvenile%20Law%20Conference/GarzaPoliceInteractions.pdf
DISCUSSION FORUM VI: Due by February 24, 11:55 PM
MODULE 8
February 25-March 3
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 8, “Key Figures in Juvenile Court Proceedings” pp. 191-213
Video: A Wonderful Juvenile Judge for Victory Over Violence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcmV-MNWM7c
Video: Elisabeth MacNamara
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLkLRnvaG0Y
Video: 40 Years After In re Gault: The Role of Juvenile Defense
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeGlnH7gTZo
Website: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
http://www.ncjfcj.org/content/view/20/94
Website: American Bar Association—Juvenile Indigent Defense: Crisis and Solutions
http://www.abanet.org/crimjust/juvjus/cjmag/15-1pp.html
DISCUSSION FORUM VII: Due by March 3, 11:55 PM
MODULE 9
March 4-March 10
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 9, “Prevention and Diversion Programs” pp. 214-246
Video: Youth Justice at the UN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWnpk_o0IB8
Video: City Youth Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7dNs6gXbDE
Video: Restorative Justice Evaluation – Dennis Maloney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el1OMxeSKU4
Video: Juvenile Justice and Richard Dembo, PhD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1URqbckxmY
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Website: Restorative Justice for Youth
http://www.americanhumane.org/protecting-children/programs/restorative-justice/historical-snapshotjuvenile-justice.html
Website: An Overview of Diversion Programs from NCJRS
http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/9909–3/div.html
Website: Center for Faith Based and Community Initiatives
http://www.hhs.gov/fbci
DISCUSSION FORUM VIII: Due by March 10, 11:55 PM
QUIZ III: March 8 (12 AM) – March 10 (11:55 PM): Chapters 7, 8 & 9 from Juvenile Justice
March 11-March 17
SPRING BREAK – NO ASSIGNMENTS
MODULE 10
March 18-March 24
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 10, “Dispositional Alternatives” pp. 246-271
Video: Young Offenders Victims of U.S. Detention System
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QN_WUAHuI8
Video: Juvenile Justice and the Supreme Court
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyiv2LkMYVY&playnext=1&list=PL96DE18066B6058CB&index=1
Video: Inside Juvenile Prison
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiWok5rg1-8&list=PL8E3DC8F8B4E98EA4&index=12&playnext=3
Video: Kids Behind Bars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DII1uVbf83U&feature=BF&list=PL8E3DC8F8B4E98EA4&index=13
Video: Life in Prison at Only 16
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQJL6gx6_VE&feature=related
Website: The Dispositional Alternatives Program of Family and Children’s Service of Ithaca
http://www.ithacaaltgiftfair.org/F&CS-DAP2007.htm
Website: Juvenile Justice Commission—Detention of Juveniles in Municipal and Adult Facilities
http://www.state.nj.us/oag/jjc/reg_2005_09_19_NJAC_1394.htm
Website: The Annie E. Casey Foundation—Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiatives
http://www.aecf.org/OurWork/JuvenileJustice.aspx?gclid=CJ011PeKhqYCFQQPbAody1dZpA
DISCUSSION FORUM IX: Due by March 24, 11:55 PM
MODULE 11
March 25-March 31
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 11, “Child Abuse and Neglect” pp. 272-293
Video: Child Abuse – Prevention and Rights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1kKCyLRgps
Video: Spare the Rod – Politics of Child Abuse (Parts 1-5)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBN9T18QSCI
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Video: C.A.S.A. Court Appointed Special Advocates
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLgDz5pWzgg&feature=related
Website: Child Abuse and Neglect—Recognizing and Preventing Child Abuse
http://helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm
Website: National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect
http://www.ndacan.cornell.edu
Website: Child Abuse and Neglect in Oregon
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/children/abuse
Website: National Mental Health Information Center
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/schoolviolence/links.asp
DISCUSSION FORUM X: Due by March 31, 11:55 PM
MODULE 12
April 1-April 7
Juvenile Justice, “Violent Juvenile and Gangs” pp. 294-327
Video: San Francisco Teenage Gangs: Juvenile Delinquency Documentary
http://thefilmarchived.blogspot.com/2010/11/ask-me-dont-tell-me-1961.html
Video: The Three Big Lies That Gangs Tell - Liz Elliott Ph.D SFU Criminology
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WDy2eWtTj8&feature=related
Video: Juvenile Offenders in their Own Words
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doX4ljCm64Y
Website: Gangs: A Bibliography
http://www-lib.usc.edu/~anthonya/gang.htm
Website: Youth Violence Statistics
http://www.ncjrs.gov/yviolence/statistics.html
Website: OJJDP Gang Fact Sheet
http://people.cornellcollege.edu/ccarlson/juvenile/factsheets/youthgangs.pdf
Article: The Youth Gangs, Drugs, and Violence Connection
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/93920.pdf
QUIZ IV: April 5 (12 AM) – April 7 (11:55 PM): Chapters 10, 11 & 12 from Juvenile Justice
MODULE 13
April 8-April 14
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 13, “Juvenile Justice Around the World” pp. 328-355
Video: A Global Epidemic: Human Trafficking in Your Neighborhood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QQegkTTEug
Video: UNICEF: Reforming the Juvenile Justice System in Georgia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCeBDUzKWUM
Video: UNICEF MNE Juvenile Justice Reform - Judges and Policemen Training
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjBbMyq3KDA
Florida International University Online - Copyright © 1998 - 2012. All rights reserved worldwide.
Website: Human Rights Watch—Children’s Division focuses on the protection of children’s rights in the
global community.
http://www.hrw.org/en/category/topic/children%E2%80%99s-rights
Website: UNICEF’s Innocenti Research Centre examining children’s justice issues worldwide
http://www.unicef-irc.org
Website: Defence for Children International is an independent NGO that has been promoting and
protecting children’s rights on a global, regional, national and local level for 30 years.
http://www.defenceforchildren.org
Website: Penal Reform International promotes penal reform worldwide.
http://www.penalreform.org
TERM PAPER: Due Sunday, April 14 at 11:55pm
MODULE 14
April 15-April 21
Juvenile Justice, Chapter 14, “The Future of Juvenile Justice” pp. 356-372
Video: Justice Bobbe Bridge on Juvenile Justice Reform in Washington State
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un2uANtt3yQ&playnext=1&list=PL8E3DC8F8B4E98EA4&index=9
Video: Reforming Juvenile Justice in Pennsylvania
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IW472uvzIo
Video: Flaws With the California Juvenile Justice System
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsTw4Ymj_Io
Website: Community Justice Network for Youth
http://www.cjny.org
Website: Urban Institute for Research on Children
http://www.urban.org/publications/412247.html
Policy Agenda Report: Coalition for Juvenile Justice: Unlocking the Future of Juvenile Justice
http://www.juvjustice.org/media/resources/public/resource_240.pdf
QUIZ V: April 19 (12 AM) – April 21 (11:55 PM): Chapters 13 & 14 from Juvenile Justice
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