JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
SOCIOLOGY 392
Dr. Sandra Way Fall, 2005
Breland Hall Rm 322 HA 112, 2:35-3:50 Tues/Thurs
Phone: 646-2148 Office Hours: Tues 4:00-5:00 or by appointment
E-mail: sway@nmsu.edu Wed 10:00-11:00
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will be an overview of juvenile delinquency from a primarily sociological perspective. The first section of the course will address the nature and extent of delinquency, including definitions, history, distribution and measurement of juvenile delinquency. In the second section, we will discuss the various theories of juvenile delinquency, including an examination of empirical research and a case study. In the fourth section we will examine how gender and issues of masculinity are related to delinquency and finally, we will end the course with a discussion of the juvenile justice system and programs associated with the prevention and control of delinquency.
READINGS:
There are three books for this course that can be purchased at the University Bookstore.
Messerschmidt. 2000. Nine Lives: Adolescent Masculinities, the Body, and Violence Westview Press.
Rodriquez. 1994. Always Running: La Vida Loca, gang days in L.A. Touchstone Books
Humes. 1996. No Matter How Loud I Shout : A Year In The Life Of Juvenile Court Simon & Schuster
In addition to the books, there are several assigned articles or chapters that you can access through the WebCT readings link. The (TR) reference in the theory section stands for “Theory Reading”. This means that you should read the corresponding theory document. All readings are required and should be completed by the day of their assignment.
EXPLICIT MATERIALS:
ATTENDANCE:
Your attendance at all class sessions is expected. If it is necessary to miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes from a classmate. Some of the material covered in class will not be in your readings; therefore, it is to your advantage to attend class. Lack of attendance may adversely affect your grade.
CLASS DISRUPTIONS:
EXAMS:
There will be three exams during the session, two during the term and a final. Each exam will consist of a combination of short answer, short essay and multiple choice, which will be answered during class. Each exam will be given equal weight, accounting together for 57% of your grade.
ASSIGNMENTS:
In addition to the exams, you will have to complete a critical analysis paper and a group poster. Assignments are due in class on the day they are assigned. You will be docked for late papers. A handout documenting more specific guidelines for each assignment will be posted on webct.
Always Running Paper: Each student is required to write a 4-5 page analysis of “Always Running.” You will apply what you have learned in class and in the readings to the book. Emphasis should be on synthesis and evaluation of the work, not summary.
JD Program Poster: Each student will help develop a group poster that reports on a policy or program that addresses issues of juvenile delinquency. Each group will showcase their poster at the end of the semester.
QUIZZES/SMALL ASSIGNMENTS:
Throughout the term you may be given either a quiz at the beginning of class or have a small assignment (no makeups). Since you will not always know ahead of time when these assignments will be made it is to your benefit to consistently attend and prepare for class. Quizzes are not “easy”points. You will need to have read the material. It will be possible to earn more that the 50 points allocated for this category (see below). In effect, any points earned over 50 become extra credit and provides a cushion for missed in-class activities
GRADING:
Grading will be assigned accordingly: 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 59 or below=E. Your grades will be figured as followed:
Assignment Points
Exam 1: 100
Exam 2: 100
Exam 3: 100
Always Running Paper 75
JJ Program Poster 75
Assignments 50
Classroom Participation 25
Final grades will be figured by dividing the total number of points earned by the 525 total points. While attendance is not formally figured into the grade, it is indirectly included in the assignments and participation and may be used to decide borderline cases. I reserve the right to curve the final grades if necessary.
WEBCT
WebCT is an online course organizer that can be accessed at https://salsa.nmsu.edu. If you have signed up for Soc 392 you should be able to access the course homepage by entering your user name and password at the prompts. These are the same user name and password that you use for your email account. If you have problems please call the computing help desk at 646-1840.
This course uses some of the basic tools on WebCT. The Syllabus, essay guidelines, lecture outlines, and study guides will all be posted on webct. WebCT allows you to access your grades and send email to both me and your classmates. In addition, this is where I will be posting announcements, reminders or any other information that I would like to pass on to you. It is a good idea to periodically check the homepage, especially if you have missed class. I understand that not everyone has a home computer and hence limitless access to webct. There are, however, various computer labs around campus which, as NMSU students, you should all have access. If you need help with your email or finding a computer lab you can go to the ICT website at http://ict.nmsu.edu/ or call 646-1840.
The best way to get a hold of me is through the webct email. If you need to get a hold of me right away or do not have access to a computer you may call me on my office phone at (505) 646-2148. When possible, however, please send an email. I check this e-mail at least twice a day (unless out of town) and will do my best to respond in a timely manner. Please do not ask me lengthy questions about course material over e-mail. Such questions are better addressed in office hours or by appointment. If you do not currently have e-mail, free university accounts are available.
OFFICE HOURS
I hold office hours in Breland Hall rm 322 on Tuesdays 4:00-5:00 and Wednesdays 10:00-11:00. If you cannot make these times, I will be happy to schedule an appointment to meet with you. I encourage you to stop by my office whether it is to inquire about your grade, further discuss topics covered in class, or just to chat. If you have a concern related to the class please bring it to my attention early. Problems are much harder to address if you wait until the end of the semester.
MAKE-UP POLICY
Make-up exams are highly discouraged. If you have to miss an exam, I will need documentation that the absence was excused before giving you a makeup.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Cheating and plagiarism are treated as serious offenses. Obvious infractions include buying a paper from a research service, turning in someone else's paper (or sections) as you're own, and copying other’s answers during an exam. More commonly students commit plagiarism that stems from inadequate documentation. Make sure to cite all wording and ideas taken from other sources. This includes information taken of the web. Consequences for infractions will be determined at the instructor's discretion and may include 1) a zero grade on the assignment 2) Failure in the class 3) University notification.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you are registered with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office and need any testing or classroom accommodations, please provide me with a copy of the necessary paperwork as soon as possible. If you are not registered with the SSD Office but believe you have a disability needing accommodation you may want to contact the SSD Office at 646-6840.
Calendar
Exam 1 September 22
Paper October 18
Exam 2 October 25
Poster November 29
Exam 3 December 8
Week 1
Aug 23 Introduction
Aug 25 What is Delinquency Platt “The Rise of the Child-Saving Movement”
Aug 30 Measurements and Trends Urban Institute Presentation
Sept 1 Who is Delinquent Chambliss “The Saints and the Roughnecks
Week 3
Sept 6 Theories and Causation No reading this week: Begin “Always Running”
Sept 8 Psych and Bio Theories
The Causes of Delinquency: Theories
Week 4
Sept 13 Strain and Subcultural MacLeod “Ain’t no Makin’ It” (TR)
Sept 15 Social Disorganization Sampson “Neighborhoods and Violent Crime” (TR)
Week 5
Sept 20 Control Theory Anderson “Code of the Street” (TR)
Sept 22 Exam I
Week 6
Sept 27 Social Learning and Drift Strauss “Beating the Devil Out of Them” (TR )
Sept 29 Labeling and Conflict Bowditch “Getting Rid of Troublmakers” (TR)
Gender
Week 7
Oct 4 Tough Guise
Oct 6 Tough Guise
Week 8
Oct 13 Femininity Chesney-Lind “Girls’ Lives, Girls’ Delinquency”
Oct 18 Case Study Rodriquez “Always Running” Memo Due
Oct 20 Overflow Day
Week 10
Oct 25 Exam 2
Week 11
Nov 1 Bowling for Columbine
Nov 3 School Shootings Newman “Rampage”
Juvenile Justice System
Week 12
Nov 8 JJ System Talbot “The Maximum Security Prison”
Nov 10 Scared Straight
Week 13
Nov 15 Case Study Humes “No Matter How Loud I Shout”
Nov 17 Case Study Humes “No Matter How Loud I Shout”
Week 15
Nov 29 Policy Presentations Poster
Dec 1 Policy Presentations Poster
Week 16
Dec 8 Final Exam (3:30-5:30)