SOCY 444: Juvenile Delinquency
Prerequisite: SOCY 110 or SOCY 121
Credit Hours: (3)
Is juvenile delinquency on the rise? What causes delinquency? What can be done about it? This course looks at such pressing concerns as youth socialization in families, schools, gangs, drugs, and bullying. Also examined are leading theoretical approaches to understanding delinquency, and the persistent question of how juveniles should be treated by the justice system.
Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
I. Introduction to the World of the Delinquent
A. Status Offenses
B. Juvenile Felons
C. Statistics on the Extent and Types of Delinquency
D. The "Typical" Delinquent
II. Theories of Delinquency: Exposition and Criticism
A. Shaw and McKay, Ecological Theory
B. Shaw and McKay, Social Disorganization
C. Merton, Anomie
D. Miller, Value Conflict
E. Cohen, Reaction Formation
F. Labeling Theory
G. Sutherland, Differential Association
H. Sykes and Matza, Neutralization
I. Cloward and Ohlin, Alienation
III. Three Socializing and Labeling Agents
A. The Family and Resources
B. The School and Differential Opportunities
C. The Peer Group and Legitimate Adolescent Leisure Activities
IV. The Juvenile Justice System Post Gault
A. Impact of Gault Decision and the Philosophy of "Needs" of the Child
B. Criteria for Disposition and the Role of the Judge
C. Role of Professional and Paraprofessional
1. In-Take Worker
2. Probation officer
3. Clinical psychologist
4. Recreation counselor
5. Vocational counselor
6. Community organizer and volunteers
D. The Future of Juvenile Justice
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course is conducted as a lecture course with as much discussion as possible.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students will examine:
1. the causes of delinquency;
2. societal and systemic responses to delinquents.
Assessment Measures
Assessment of student progress is made by such means as tests, quizzes, papers, and contributions to class discussion by students.
Other Course Information
Students taking the course for graduate credit must submit a term paper of 18-25 pages, with a minimum of 15 professional citations; in addition, an oral presentation of the research must be made to the class.
Review and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED
January, 2004 Reviewed Peggy A. Shifflett
March 01, 2021