SYLLABUS
FALL SEMESTER 2011
MADISONVILE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CRJ 208
DELINQUENCY & THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
TUESDAY & THURSDAY 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
John H. Gray, Room 210
Program Coordinator: Tim Davis
Office: John H. Gray, Room #262
Telephone: (270) 824-8613
E-mail:
Office Hours
(Monday-Thursday 1:00-2:30)
Friday by appointment
CRJ208 DELINQUENCY/JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION: This course will give an introduction and overview of the juvenile justice system illustrating differences between it and the adult justice system. The topics for the first block of instruction will include the history of the juvenile justice system, applications to law enforcement and courts, applications to corrections including punishment and rehabilitation of offenders, child victimology, and juvenile gangs. The final block of instruction will address the credibility of witness testimony generally with specific application to child victims and witnesses.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Law enforcement agencies, courts, and corrections must address all sorts of issues that deal with juveniles as offenders and victims. It is imperative that the criminal justice practitioner has an understanding of the juvenile justice system and its operations. Study should develop the ability to:
1. Understand and explain the juvenile justice system and differentiate it from the
adult justice system.
2. Know and possibly implement alternative strategies for the punishment and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.
3. Understand and explain the unique problems that juvenile offenders present to
to law enforcement and the courts.
4. Be knowledgeable of the theories and nature of juvenile gangs.
5. Explain alternative strategies taken by law enforcement to impact juvenile
offenders.
6. Have a working knowledge of the credibility of witness testimony.
7. Use innovative techniques in interviewing child victims.
PREREQUISTIES: None.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students must realize that this is their class, and the quality of the educational experience depends as much upon their attendance and participation as do the efforts of the instructor. If students do not come to class, it will be difficult to grasp the subject matter and obtain a good grade. Excused absences, such as sickness, family deaths, hardships and acceptable school activities, must be reported to the instructor “in person” accompanied with a written excuse “that can be verified.” DO NOT assume the instructor received an excuse by e-mail or message on a telephone answering machine; make sure the instructor receives the excuse. Students will not be penalized for excused absences. Instances in which students come to class excessively late on a regular basis without notifying the instructor in advance or leave prematurely without notifying the instructor in advance will be considered as absences. Students with perfect attendance will be awarded ten (10) points on the final grade.
GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES:
I. Communicate Effectively
1. Read and listen with comprehension.
2. Speak and write clearly using standard English.
3.Interact cooperatively with others using both verbal and non-verbal means.
4. Demonstrate information processing through basic computer skills.
II. Think Critically
1. Make connections in learning across the disciplines and draw logical conclusions.
2. Demonstrate problem solving through interpreting, analyzing, summarizing, and/or integrating a variety of materials.
3.Use mathematics to organize, analyze, and synthesize data to solve a problem.
III. Learn Independently
1.Use appropriate search strategies and resources to find, evaluate, and use information.
2.Make choices based upon awareness of ethics and differing perspectives/ideas.
3.Apply learning in academic, personal, and public situations.
4. Think creatively to develop new ideas, processes, or products.
IV. Examine Relationships in Diverse and Complex Environments
1.Recognize the relationship of the individual to human heritage and culture.
2.Demonstrate an awareness of the relationship of the individual to the biological and physical environment.
3. Develop an awareness of self as an individual member of a multicultural global community.
(Assessment Method: Class participation, exams, and any written article summaries.)
COURSE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES: This course will expose the student to the juvenile justice system, juvenile offenders and victims, juvenile gangs, the credibility of witness testimony, and strategies of law enforcement, courts, and corrections in addressing these topics. Upon completion of this course, the student can:
1. Distinguish between the juvenile justice system and the adult justice system.
2. Explain and possibly implement specific law enforcement, court, and correctional strategies to address juvenile offenders, juvenile victims, and
gang members.
3. Work within the framework of the juvenile justice system.
4. Have a working knowledge of the credibility of witness testimony.
5. Use alternative methods of interviewing child victims and witnesses.
WITHDRAWALS: Students may withdraw from the class according to Madisonville Community College policy.
TEXTBOOK: Juvenile Justice, 5TH edition, Karen M. Hess and Robert W. Drowns.
GRADING:
EXAM #1, 100 points A=360-400
EXAM #2, 100 points B=320-359
EXAM #3, 100 points C=280-319
EXAM #4, 100 points D=240-279
HOMEWORK 100 points F= 0-299
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: This course will employ lectures, in class discussion, handouts, and a project. The students should exhibit quality class participation, pass all exams, and complete the project in appropriate fashion. Regardless of whether or not textbook material is covered in class room lectures, students are also responsible for all information in the textbook, all of which could be test material. One of the goals of a college curriculum is to prepare students for the work force in the field of their chosen endeavor which involves the building of necessary skills which exceeds the mere attainment of knowledge.
EXAMS: There will be four (4) exams, each worth 100 points. The exams will be on the four (4) blocks of instruction and the final test will not be comprehensive. Exams will consist of multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and essay questions. At this time, pop quizzes are not anticipated and will be utilized if it appears that students are not absorbing text material or are not motivated to learn.
WRITING: There will be homework assignments that will require writing. These homework assignments will require use of the internet and writing skills. Grammar and effort will be the deciding factor on these grades. There will be 5 homework assignments which will total 100 points and count as a test grade.
MAKE-UP POLICY: Missed exams will be scored as zero (0) and a make-up test can be taken when students have a valid excuse. Of course, the original test cannot be given and the make-up test will be at the convenience of the instructor.
LATE WORK POLICY: All assigned semester work shall be turned in during or prior to the date established by the instructor. If assignments are not submitted on this date, assignments will be reduced one (1) letter grade for each class date that the assignment is
delinquent.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT: The student can find information about academic rights, academic offenses, and student’s rights to appeal in the KCTCS student code of conduct at: www.kctcs.edu/student/code.htm.
SAFETY INFORMATION
Madisonville Community College is concerned with the safety of the students attending classes at any of the four campuses. The following points are for your benefit as a student.
· In case any life threatening event, call 911. The local emergency responders are better equipped to take care of these situations.
· To sign up for the Safety Notification Alert Process (SNAP) go to the MCC webpage and click on the SNAP section. After completing this, you will receive notifications on school closings, inclement weather, and other safety notifications.
· To report a safety concern call the MCC Tip Line at 824-1900 to report safety concerns or suspicious behavior. This line is monitored once a day Monday through Friday.
· There is a Maintenance #836-5330 for students on the North campus for use after the switchboard closes at 4:30. This is a cell phone that is answered by one of the Maintenance & Operations personnel.
· The MCC emergency number is answered by selected personnel during the day and by a cell phone when these are not available. 824-1911
DISABILITY STATEMENT: If you have a documented disability and need any type of accommodations, you are required to register with the Disability Resource coordinator. Contact Valerie Wolfe, Disability Resource Coordinator, Room 139, at (270) 824-1708.
Madisonville Community College’s standard procedure during inclement weather is to remain open and hold classes as scheduled. Campus closures are rare; however, should the weather become severe enough to warrant closing the campus, we will contact local media as well as relay the information using SNAP to your phone, email, or text message. Please watch for a SNAP announcement and/or the local news or listen to local radio for the latest information. As always, use your own judgment when determining whether or not it is safe to travel in your area.
For more information or to sign up for SNAP, visit http://legacy.kctcs.edu/snap/.
COURSE OUTLINE
WEEK#1 August 16 & 18 (Chapter 1)
WEEK #2 August 23 & 25 (Chapter 2)
WEEK #3 August 30 & September 1 (Chapters 3)
WEEK #4 September 6 & 8 (Chapter 4)
WEEK #5 September 13 & 15 (Review) EXAM #1 Chapter 1-4
WEEK #6 September 20 & 22 (Chapters 5)
WEEK #7 September 27 & 29 (Chapters 6)
WEEK #8 October 4 & 6 (Chapter 7) EXAM #2 Chapter 5-7
WEEK #9 October 10 thru 15 **Fall Break-No Classes**
WEEK #10 October 18 & 20 (Chapters 8)
WEEK #11 October 25 & 27 (Chapter 9)
WEEK #12 November 1 & 3 (Chapter 10)
WEEK #13 November 8 & 10 (Chapter 11)
WEEK #14 November 15 & 17 (Chapter 12) EXAM #3 Chapter 8-10
WEEK #15 November 22 (Chapter 13) Thanksgiving Day
WEEK #16 November 29 & December 1 (Review)
December 8, 2010 FINAL EXAM Chapter 11-13