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CJS 240
CJS 240
Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Version 2 08/06/07
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus CJS 240
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CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 3
Course Syllabus
Course Title: CJS 240—Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Required Texts
Siegel, L. J. and Welsh, B. C. (2005). Juvenile delinquency: The core. (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA:
Thomson Wadsworth.
Axia College’s Writing Style Handbook, available online at
https://axiaecampus.phoenix.edu/Writing_Style_Handbook_AxiaUOP
Please Note: All required text and materials are found on the Materials tab of the student web
page. The student web page can be accessed through the Axia College of University of Phoenix
Student and Faculty Web site at https://axiaecampus.phoenix.edu/
https://axiaecampus.phoenix.edu/Writing_Style_Handbook_AxiaUOP
https://axiaecampus.phoenix.edu/
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 4
Course Overview
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is a general orientation to the concept of delinquency and the field of juvenile justice.
Students will examine the nature of delinquency, as well as a variety of theories and suspected
causes of delinquent behavior. Students will study factors related to delinquency and/or
prevention including gender, youthful behavior, family, peers, drug use, school, and community..
This course will also familiarize students with the evolution of juvenile justice and key players in
the juvenile justice process. Additionally, students will develop an understanding of the juvenile
court process, as well as juvenile detention, restitution, prevention and treatment.
TOPICS AND OBJECTIVES
Childhood Development and Delinquency
Discuss juvenile accountability.
Identify the risk factors associated with chronic offenders.
Identify the pros and cons of Uniform Crime Report (UCR) and self-report data.
Individual Theories of Delinquency
Differentiate between general deterrence, specific deterrence, and situational crime
prevention.
Discuss individual theories of delinquency.
Sociological Theories of Delinquency
Give examples of social disorganization.
Discuss the impact of social structure theories on delinquency prevention.
Identify examples of the application of sociological theories of delinquency.
Gender Differences and Family Impact
Critique the child protection system.
Describe current explanations for gender differences and delinquency.
Discuss gender discrimination in the juvenile justice system.
Explain how family makeup and behavior influence delinquency.
The Juvenile Justice System
Examine issues within the juvenile court process.
Identify the main components of a comprehensive juvenile justice strategy.
Compare and contrast the juvenile and adult justice systems.
Juvenile Corrections and Treatment
Explain the roles and responsibilities of juvenile probation officers.
Explain community-based treatment efforts.
Summarize important issues impacting institutionalized juveniles.
Discuss the importance of aftercare programs.
Peers, Juvenile Gangs, and School
Discuss the impact of adolescent peer relations.
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 5
Describe the relationship between academic performance and delinquency.
Recognize theories of gang development.
Explain methods to control gang activity.
Drug Use and Control
Describe the key reasons for youth drug use.
Explain the relationship between drug use and delinquency.
Assess the major drug control strategies.
The Juvenile Delinquent and the System
Discuss the future of juvenile justice.
Debate a contemporary issue in juvenile justice.
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 6
Point Values for Course Assignments
Week One: Childhood Development and Delinquency
Discussion Questions 10
Participation 10
CheckPoint: Statistics 30
Week Two: Individual Theories of Delinquency
CheckPoint: Delinquency Deterrence Response 30
Assignment: Individual Theories 100
Week Three: Sociological Theories of Delinquency
Discussion Questions 10
Participation 10
CheckPoint: Sociological Theories Response 30
Week Four: Gender Differences and Family Impact
CheckPoint: Case Study Critique 30
Assignment: Gender and Family 100
Week Five: The Juvenile Justice System
Discussion Questions 10
Participation 10
CheckPoint: The Justice Systems 30
Week Six: Juvenile Corrections and Treatment
CheckPoint: Probation Presentation 30
Assignment: Corrections and Treatment 100
Week Seven: Peers, Juvenile Gangs, and School
Discussion Questions 10
Participation 10
CheckPoint: Gang Development and Control 30
Week Eight: Drug Use and Control
CheckPoint: Drug Use and Delinquency Response 30
Assignment: Drug Czar Presentation 100
Week Nine: The Juvenile Delinquent and the System
Capstone Discussion Question 20
Participation 10
Final Project: Justice System Position Paper 250
Point Totals 1,000
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 7
Policies and Procedures
All students in this course are required to abide by the policies and procedures described in the
Policies section of the Student Web Page. To view these policies, students must be logged in to
the Student Web Page. The same information can be accessed via the Policies link located in
the Materials section of the Classroom tab on the Student Web Page.
https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/policies/
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 8
Week One
Childhood Development and Delinquency
Discuss juvenile accountability.
Identify the risk factors associated with chronic offenders.
Identify the pros and cons of Uniform Crime Report (UCR) and self-report data.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Read objectives and welcome.
Read instructor’s bio and post your own bio.
Due Date: Day 1 [post to the Chat Room forum]
2. Read Appendix A regarding the final project requirements.
3. Read Ch. 1, 2, & 3 of the Juvenile Delinquency: The Core text.
4. Discussion Question 1
Due Date: Day 2 [post to the Main forum]
Post your response to the following: Are juveniles truly capable of understanding the
seriousness and consequences of their actions? If so, at what age are they capable of
understanding? At what age should juveniles be tried as adults? Explain your answer.
5. Discussion Question 2
Due Date: Day 4 [post to the Main forum]
Post your response to the following: Is the commission of delinquent activities a normal
process of growing up or are there specific factors that initiate this type of behavior? If
some delinquent activities are part of growing up, what factors contribute to the
progression of delinquent behavior from normal adolescent behavior to chronic
offending? Explain your answer.
6. CheckPoint: Statistics
Resource: Appendix B
Due Date: Day 5 [post to the Individual forum]
Complete the UCR and Self-Report Data matrix in Appendix B. To complete this matrix,
you will need to list two pros and two cons of UCR data and two pros and two cons of
self-report data. Additionally, find one Web resource of official information and one Web
resource of unofficial information about the occurrence of delinquency in the United
States. Copy and paste the URL addresses into Appendix B.
Post Appendix B as an attachment.
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 9
Week Two
Individual Theories of Delinquency
Differentiate between general deterrence, specific deterrence, and situational crime
prevention.
Discuss individual theories of delinquency.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. CheckPoint: Delinquency Deterrence Response
Due Date: Day 4 [Individual] forum
Write a 300- to 350-word response explaining how the threat of punishment either does
or does not deter juvenile delinquency. Provide examples of general deterrence, specific
deterrence, and situational crime prevention strategies. Additionally, identify which
concept or concepts of deterrence you believe offer the best method of controlling
juvenile crime.
2. Assignment: Individual Theories
Resource: pp. 47-80 of Juvenile Delinquency
Due Date: Day 7 [Individual] forum
Write a 500- to 750-word paper in APA format explaining why some adolescents are
motivated to commit crimes while others in similar circumstances are not. Support your
explanation by applying at least two of the individual theories of delinquency listed below:
o Routine activities theory
o General deterrence theory
o Specific deterrence theory
o Biochemical theory
o Neurological theory
o Genetic theory
o Psychodynamic theory
o Behavioral theory
o Cognitive theory
Cite at least two sources to support your explanation.
Post your paper as a Microsoft
®
Word attachment.
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 10
Week Three
Sociological Theories of Delinquency
Give examples of social disorganization.
Discuss the impact of social structure theories on delinquency prevention.
Identify examples of the application of sociological theories of delinquency.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Read Ch. 4, 6, & 7 of Juvenile Delinquency.
2. Discussion Question 1
Due Date: Day 2 [Main] forum
Post your response to the following: Describe a community in your city or state that
currently exemplifies the concept of social disorganization. What solutions might you
implement to revitalize that community?
3. Discussion Question 2
Due Date: Day 4 [Main] forum
Post your response to the following: During the 1960s, social structure theories strongly
influenced the development of delinquency prevention programs. Why did many of the
earliest programs fail? What is being done differently today in the development of
promising prevention programs?
4. CheckPoint: Sociological Theories Response
Resource: pp. 101-105 of Juvenile Delinquency
Due Date: Day 5 [Individual] forum
Research the Internet to find federal, state, or local programs with elements that
exemplify the application of each of the sociological theories listed below:
o Social structure theories
o Social process theories
o Social conflict theories
Write a 100-word description for each program. You should have one program that
exemplifies social structure theories, one that exemplifies social process theories, and
one that exemplifies social conflict theories. Include the programs’ main elements and
explain the aspects of each program that address the focus of the theory.
Cite your references in APA format.
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 11
Week Four
Gender Differences and Family Impact
Critique the child protection system.
Describe current explanations for gender differences and delinquency.
Discuss gender discrimination in the juvenile justice system.
Explain how family makeup and behavior influence delinquency.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. CheckPoint: Case Study Critique
Resource: Appendix C
Due Date: Day 4 [Individual] forum
Read the case study provided in Appendix C.
Write a 200- to 350-word response answering the following questions:
o What are some of the possible reasons caseworkers were not aware of the
conditions in the Jackson home?
o From the information presented in the case study, should the nine members of the
Division of Youth and Family Services staff have been fired? Why or why not?
o Do you believe justice was served in this case? Why or why not?
o Could this situation have been prevented? If so, how? If not, why?
2. Assignment: Gender and Family
Ch. 6 & 7 discuss the impact gender and family can have on delinquency. In addition, you
have read briefly about gender and the juvenile justice system.
Due Date: Day 7 [Individual] forum
Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in APA format answering the following questions:
o How does gender affect delinquency?
What are some current explanations for gender differences?
o How does family affect delinquency?
How does family makeup affect delinquency?
How does family behavior impact delinquency?
o Are delinquent females treated differently by members of the juvenile justice system?
Are they treated unfairly?
Do they benefit from being female? Why or why not?
Post your paper as a Microsoft
®
Word attachment.
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 12
Week Five
The Juvenile Justice System
Examine issues within the juvenile court process.
Identify the main components of a comprehensive juvenile justice strategy.
Compare and contrast the juvenile and adult justice systems.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Read Ch. 11, 13, & 14 of Juvenile Delinquency.
2. Discussion Question 1
Due Date: Day 2 [Main] forum
Review pp. 320-324 and pp. 332-335 of Juvenile Delinquency.
Your instructor will divide the class into three discussion clusters and assign each cluster
one of the following controversial issues:
o Confidentiality in juvenile proceedings
o Waiver to adult court
o Death penalty for juveniles
Post your response to the question below for the cluster to which you are assigned:
o Confidentiality in juvenile proceedings
What do you feel is more important—freedom of press to publish pictures and
names of juvenile offenders or juveniles’ rights to private court proceedings?
Explain your answer.
o Waiver to adult court
Should certain juvenile offenders be waived to adult courts? Why or why not?
o Death penalty for juveniles
Should juveniles who commit serious capital crimes under the age of 16 be
eligible for the death penalty? Why or why not?
Consider reviewing the discussions in the other clusters to gain a deeper understanding
of these three issues. In addition, the CheckPoint this week will ask you to further discuss
these issues. Reviewing and taking notes on the discussions in the other clusters will
help you save time with the CheckPoint later this week.
3. Discussion Question 2
Due Date: Day 4 [Main] forum
Post your response to the following: What are the benefits of a comprehensive juvenile
justice strategy? What aspects of a comprehensive strategy contribute to those benefits?
What are the drawbacks to implementing a comprehensive juvenile justice strategy?
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 13
Consider discussing specific programs that contribute to a comprehensive juvenile
justice strategy that you may be familiar with or have heard about in the media, such as
D.A.R.E., teen courts, drug courts, or Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
4. CheckPoint: The Justice Systems
Resource: Appendix D
Due Date: Day 5 [Individual] forum
Complete the System Comparison Matrix, the 200- to 300-word response on
controversial issues in the juvenile court system, and the selection of your final project
position in Appendix D.
Post Appendix D as an attachment.
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 14
Week Six
Juvenile Corrections and Treatment
Explain the roles and responsibilities of juvenile probation officers.
Explain community-based treatment efforts.
Summarize important issues impacting institutionalized juveniles.
Discuss the importance of aftercare programs.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. CheckPoint: Probation Presentation
Due Date: Day 4 [Individual] forum
Create an informative 5- to 7-slide Microsoft
®
PowerPoint
presentation about probation
and the roles and responsibilities of probation officers. Take on the role of a juvenile
probation officer recruiter and address the presentation to an audience of individuals who
are interested in applying for the position of a juvenile probation officer. Your presentation
should include:
o General information regarding probation
What is probation?
Who is on probation?
What are the conditions of probation?
o Roles and responsibilities of juvenile probation officers
What are the duties of probation officers?
When do probation officers become involved in the court process?
What are the responsibilities of probation officers?
Prepare detailed speaker notes for each of the slides.
Post your presentation as a Microsoft
®
PowerPoint
®
attachment.
2. Assignment: Corrections and Treatment
Due Date: Day 7 [Individual] forum
Write a 350- to 700-word paper in APA format summarizing information on juvenile
corrections and community-based treatment programs. Include the following in your
paper:
o Community-based treatment
Describe two or three community-based treatment efforts.
Briefly explain the purpose and importance of the community-based treatment
efforts you described.
o Institutionalization
Describe two or three issues affecting institutionalized juveniles.
Address why the juvenile justice system should be concerned with those issues.
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 15
o Aftercare programs
Describe two of the three Intensive Aftercare Programs (IAP) discussed in the
text.
Address the importance of aftercare programs.
Post your paper as a Microsoft
®
Word attachment.
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 16
Week Seven
Peers, Juvenile Gangs, and School
Discuss the impact of adolescent peer relations.
Describe the relationship between academic performance and delinquency.
Recognize theories of gang development.
Explain methods to control gang activity.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Read Ch. 8 & 10 of Juvenile Delinquency.
2. Read Truancy reduction: Keeping students in school at the following Web site:
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/188947
3. Discussion Question 1
Due Date: Day 2 [Main] forum
Post your response to the following: How do peers impact delinquency? Do delinquents
simply seek out antisocial and delinquent peers as friends or does having delinquent
peers cause an individual to become delinquent? Explain your answer.
4. Discussion Question 2
Due Date: Day 4 [Main] forum
Post your response to the following: How is school failure related to delinquency? Do
delinquents fail at school or is school failure responsible for delinquency? Explain your
answer.
5. CheckPoint: Gang Development and Control
Resource: Appendix E
Due Date: Day 5 [Individual] forum
Complete the Gang Development and Gang Control tables in Appendix E.
Post Appendix E as an attachment.
References
Baker, M. L., Nady Sigmon, J., & Nugent, M. E. (2001). Truancy reduction: Keeping students in
school. U.S. Department of Justice. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention Web site. Retrieved March 16, 2007, from
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/188947
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/188947
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/188947
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 17
Week Eight
Drug Use and Control
Describe the key reasons for youth drug use.
Explain the relationship between drug use and delinquency.
Assess the major drug control strategies.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. CheckPoint: Drug Use and Delinquency Response
Due Date: Day 4 [Individual] forum
Research the University Library for two current, scholarly journal articles that highlight
reasons for youth drug use and the association between drug use and delinquency.
Write a 200- to 350-word response answering the following questions:
o According to the articles:
What are the main reasons for youth drug use?
In what ways does drug use relate to delinquency?
Cite the articles in APA format.
2. Assignment: Drug Czar Presentation
Resource: p. 256 of Juvenile Delinquency
Due Date: Day 7 [Individual] forum
Read the “Applying What You Have Learned” scenario on p. 256 of Juvenile
Delinquency.
Create a 7- to 10-slide Microsoft
®
PowerPoint
presentation illustrating the advantages
and disadvantages of the three drug control policy strategies presented at the open
hearing in the scenario. Take on the role of the drug czar in the presentation. Present the
policy or policies that you, as the drug czar, believe to be the best strategies for reducing
youth drug use.
Include detailed speaker notes for each slide.
Cite at least two sources in APA format to support your statements.
Post your presentation as a Microsoft
®
PowerPoint
®
attachment.
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 18
Week Nine
The Juvenile Delinquent and the System
Discuss the future of juvenile justice.
Debate a contemporary issue in juvenile justice.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Capstone Discussion Question
The future of the juvenile justice system is in debate. There has been a movement to get
tough on juvenile crime at the same time that researchers are seeing more public support for
prevention and intervention methods.
Due Date: Day 3 [Main] forum
Post your response to the following: What are your thoughts on the future of the juvenile
justice system? Should there be a juvenile justice system? Why or why not? Should there
be a focus on a comprehensive juvenile justice strategy or should the juvenile justice
system focus on one particular area? Explain your answer.
2. Final Project: Justice System Position Paper
Throughout this course, you have become acquainted with explanations of juvenile
delinquency, correlates of juvenile delinquency, and the intricacy of the juvenile justice
system. For your final project, you are asked to assess one of the major debatable issues
regarding the juvenile justice system.
Resource: Appendix A
Due Date: Day 7 [Individual] forum
Write a 1,750- to 2,100-word position paper in APA format arguing one of the following
positions:
o The juvenile justice system should focus on rehabilitation.
o The juvenile justice system should focus on punishment.
Include the following in your paper:
o Why should the juvenile justice system adopt the focus you have chosen?
What evidence supports your position?
o How will the specific focus you have chosen impact
law enforcement?
court processes?
probation?
corrections?
community services?
intervention programs?
o What are some arguments for the opposing side?
CJS 240 Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Course Syllabus Page 19
Why are those arguments not as valid as your arguments?
Provide evidence to support your claims.
o How do the advantages of the juvenile justice system adopting the specific focus you
have chosen outweigh the disadvantages?
Cite at least five sources to support your position.
Post your paper as a Microsoft
®
Word attachment.
