Juvenile Delinquency
SOC 3650
3 Credit Hours
Jerry Neapolitan
Jneapolitan@tntech.edu
372-3817,    259 Daniel Hall
Office Hours 10-11:15 M,W,F 10-12 T,R

Due to the online work in the class there will not be class meetings on Fridays, except we will meet on these two
Fridays: 9-15, 10-17, and 12-5.  We will meet on all Mondays and Wednesdays except for 9-24, 10-8, and 11-26.

Course Description:

Thus course explores the nature of delinquency and the extent to which it is a social problem in the USA. The major theories of causation are presented and critically examined. The juvenile justice system is studied historically and in its current form. The present and future of delinquency control and prevention are examined.

Course Objectives:

1. Develop an understanding of when and why juvenile offenders are treated differently from adult offenders. 
2. Be able to define delinquency from a variety of perspectives. 
3. Learn about the extent of and trends in juvenile delinquency in the United States. 
4. Develop an understanding of the meaning of social causation of delinquency.
5. Develop an understanding of the major theories of juvenile delinquency.
6. Develop an understanding the role of external factors such as neighborhood, family, friends and schools 
in child development and delinquency.
7. Learn about the origins, history and philosophical objectives of the juvenile justice system.
8. Be able to critically evaluate the juvenile justice system.
9. Develop some knowledge as to what and what does not work in preventing and controlling delinquency.

Prerequisites: Sociology: Introduction to Sociology

Course Topics:

Definitions of Juvenile Delinquency
Measurement of Delinquency
Amounts of and Trends in Delinquency
Causes of Delinquency
The Juvenile Justice System
Prevention and Treatment of Delinquency 

Software:
The student must have a basic knowledge of computers, the Internet, and email.
The student's computer must have Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat reader, and PowerPointbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and

Required Textbooks:  

Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law, Tenth Edition, 2008
Siegel and Welsh
Wadsworth

Testing Procedures:
The course is divided into three-five week modules. Students must take 3 timed online quizzes based on the text books
and online readings. There will also be a mid-term and final exam based on lectures. 
Grading Procedure:

The grade will be based on quiz scores, exam scores, assignments, attendance, and discussion participation.
Quizzes will cover the readings, while exam will cover the lectures.

No one part of the course will constitute a large portion of the final grade, but work must consistently be done in
a conscientious and accomplished manner in order for the student to receive an A or a B.

Grading Scale: 
Grading: Quizzes 20%, Midterm 20% (Oct. 17), Final Exam 20% (12-11), Assignments 20%, Attendance 10%,
Discussion Participation 10%
90-100 A
80-89   B
70-79   C
60-69   D
00-59   F
Assignments and Projects:

1.      There will be reading assignments for each module from the textbook. There will also be brief articles and instructor remarks,
which must be read. These readings will be covered in the quizzes.

2.      There are several mini-assignments for each of the three modules.
Class Participation:
Students will have to actively participate in five discussions of three weeks each. Students are also expected to regularly check their email for      information provided by the instructor.  Taking part in a discussion requires reading the posts of other students and making your own posts in a  regular and consistent manner. Making five posts in one day every two weeks is not taking part in a discussion. Grading of the discussion participation will be based on the spacing of posts, quality and quantity of posts, and the frequency of reading the posts of others.  You should make 2-3 posts on at least five different occasions for each module.
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

There is an anonymous discussion group to which you can make posts at any time in the course without revealing who you are.
This is for any negative or positive comments you want to make about the course, assignments quizzes, etc.

You are encouraged to participate in classroom discussions.
 Punctuality
Please be on time for class.
Students must submit assignments and take online quizzes by the end of each module. These are all due by midnight of the last Friday of each module. Students will be allowed extra time for assignments if they have a legitimate reason for needing extra time. Legitimate excuses are things such as illness or a death in the family. Job responsibilities, vacations, weddings, other courses, and so forth are not legitimate excuses.
Course Ground Rules
Students must keep up with the readings and assignments, and complete their work at the required times. It is particularly important to be conscientious in the projects that require cooperation. I have tried to design the course to be both informative and enjoyable. Thus students should have fun with the projects and feel free to be creative. While quiz questions and some essay questions have correct answers, other essay questions and some projects allow you substantial freedom to express yourself. In these you will be evaluated on effort and thoughtfulness, not whether I agree with you or not.

Contact me an soon as possible with any problems or questions that arise. This can be done by phone or by email.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.