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Dr. Andreas Schneider Fall 2006 Sociology 4327: Juvenile Delinquency Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 2:00-2:50PM Holden Hall 004 |
Contact Information
Office Hours: Office hours Wednesdays and Fridays 12:00-1:00 PM Holden Hall 159, Phone 806 742 2401 ext 231
Anytime by email (andreas.schneider@ttu.edu). I check at least twice a day.
Anytime on our teaching homepage on the World Wide Web http://www2.tltc.ttu.edu/Schneider
Teaching Assistant
Blake Alter. Office hours 10-12 and 3-4 Weds. Holden Hall 151E, email is Blake.Alter@ttu.edu , Phone 742-2401
Juvenile delinquency is seen as a serious problem in the American society. I want to provide students with a solid theoretical foundation to critically evaluate this problem. To facilitate this evaluation I will frequently employ a cross-cultural perspective and real world examples. We will exercise our theoretical skills with examples of policy and practice.
The first part of the course will deal with the history, theory and demographics of juvenile delinquency. In the second part we will illuminate different forms and problems of juvenile delinquency.
Our main source of reading will be the 9th edition of "Juvenile Delinquency" (Siegel, Welsh, and and Senna, 2006 ISBN: 0-534-64566-6 One of the newer methodologies involves the Internet as a resource. Students will be required to use information from the Internet. Students will have access to the electronic version of this syllabus on the World Wide Web (WWW) at: http://www2.tltc.ttu.edu/Schneider. Although overheads and other sources used in class will be posted on our WWW page, class attendance will be mandatory, just as in traditional courses.
A general reminder: We will be dealing with diverse theoretical approaches and some emotional and controversial issues, e.g., the perspective of the delinquent, or surfing the Internet without a parental censoring program. Students should be prepared to be exposed to alternative opinions and materials which may be considered offensive by some people.
One section of this syllabus contains the administrative "laws" of the course. The other section with the course outline is to a certain degree variable. We shall proceed through the material at our own pace and take advantage of interesting current events. In the following the outline of topics and their corresponding readings are listed according to their anticipated sequence.
Participation is an important aspect of our class. I welcome feedback from students and try to incorporate it into the class session. For that reason we will proceed at our own pace as much as possible. In each class session I will provide you with a brief preview of our next session. Sessions described below are listed in their sequential order. In the electronic version this syllabus will be extended as we proceed in our course. I will link overheads and other information to the topics below, as they become available.
For everyone interested, I link my article about the reasoning behind the electronic syllabus, and the evaluation of students: Schneider, Andreas. 1998. "Sociology: The Internet as an Extended Sociology Classroom." Social Science Computer Review Vol. 16, No. 4.
We will cover the following in the sequential order in which they are listed.
Important URLs:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Bureau of Justice Statistics (NCVS)
- Social Statistics provided by the White House (UCR & NCVS)
- The Library of Congress
- National Institute of Mental Health
Read Chapter 1
Read Chapter 2
Additional required readings:
- UCR FAQ at http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucrquest.htm (just this page)
- National Crime Victimization Survey 4/96 at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/cv94.htm (just this page)
- Criminal Victimization, 1996: Changes 1995-96 at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/cv96.htm (just this page)
Read Chapter 12
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Just for fun:
Take a Journey in time, well before the Concept of Juveniles was established |
Study sheet for our first exam
Read Chapter 3
1. Choice Theories
Rational Choice, Routine Activities
2. Biological Trait Theories
Biochemical, Neurological, Genetic
3. Psychological Trait Theories
Psychodynamic, Behavioral, Cognitive, Personality, Nurture
Read Chapter 4
1. Social Disorganization and Relative Deprivation
2. Strain Theory
3. Cultural Deviance
Concepts of Social Stratification and Culture of Poverty
Interconnection of Social Disorganization, Strain Theory and Cultural Deviance
Study sheet for our second exam
Read Chapter 4 pp.120-124
1. Social Learning Theories
Differential Association, Neutralization
2. Social Control Theories
Containment, Social Control
Read Chapter 4 pp.124-129
Labeling Theory
Conflict Theory
Read Chapter 6
Read Chapter 7
Read Chapter 8
Read Chapter 10
Special lecture about my current research: How the stigmatization of sexual identities create shame and anger that in turn lead to sexual violent behavior. Impact of sex education (or the lack thereof): Schneider, Andreas. "Shame as a Source for Sexual Violence." Youth Education & Responsible Sexuality Y.E.A.R.S. A Conference for our Children’s Welfare. Lubbock TX, March 1, 2003.
Human Rights Watch World Report 2003: United States
Read Chapter 15
Alternative Treatments
· Punishment in Schools
· Discretionary Deviance
No readings! No Notes will be posted
Dec 7 Last Session Voluntary Attendance
Questions
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students should be able to
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Multiple choice exams are used to test the knowledge of theories, methods and problems in juvenile delinquency. Some of these questions will be geared to assess the ability of the student to compare methodological and theoretical approaches and their application to problems in sociology. The presentation investigates the engagement of the student, his/her critical thinking, the ability to work independently, and his or her communication skills.
Your grade in this class will be based on your performance on the requirements listed below.
Pop exam 5% before the first exam (no time scheduled)
Presentation Proposal 5% Sept 8
Presentation 15% at the time the topic is covered
First exam 15 %, Sept 25
Second exam 15% Oct 13
Third Exam 15% Nov 10
Fourth exam 20 % Nov 29
Attendance 10%
----------------------
100% = 100 points
Grades will be posted using the university's grade distribution system for which you need your personal Pin number.
Grading key to convert number grades in letter grades: 0-59 F, 60-62 D-, 63-66 D, 67-68 D+, 69-72 C-, 73-76 C, 77-78 C+, 79-82 B-, 83-86 B, 87-88 B+, 89-92 A-, 93-96 A, 97-100 A+
If you are interested, here the key to convert the letter grades into number grades: A+ 100, A 93, A- 90, B+ 88, B 83, B -80, C+ 78, C 73, C- 70, D+ 68, D 63, D-60, F 60.
All exams will be multiple choice. Make sure to bring your "bubble sheet" (not necessary for pop exams). The pop exam provides students with an opportunity to see how their real exams will look like. Only the fourth exam will be cumulative.
This will be a 15 minute presentation on a topic covered in a class session listed in the syllabus.
How to get a presentation: Presentation Proposal
How to prepare the presentation?
How do I grade?
Presentations on theories
Presentations on methods (crime reports, experiments etc.)
Presentations on issues (gender, drugs etc.)
When do you present?
Exams: Students who are absent will receive "0" points. Make up exams will be scheduled for students who have an authoritative excuse for missing the exams.
Late presentation will be marked down by one of five points in the following session, after that it will be counted as a missed assignment (0 points).
Authoritative excuses I accepted in the past were: physician's statements, copies of invitations for job interviews or funerals, and trophies. Concerning an absence due to officially approved trips – in accordance with the Texas Tech University Catalog (p.48), the person responsible for a student missing class (e.g. coach) due to a trip should notify the instructors of the departure and return schedule in advance of the trip. The student may not be penalized and is responsible for the material missed. The Texas Tech University Catalog also states that a student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day will be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence. (p.49) ( prior notification to the instructor is appreciated)
A clarifying reminder of our Dean: "Please make sure that the student knows that it is her/his responsibility to withdraw from the class in person in the Office of the Registrar. Often, students, as well as some instructors, are under the impression that the instructor of the course can withdraw the student from the class by assigning a grade of “W” on the final grade report. A “W” cannot be assigned to a student unless the student has officially withdrawn from the class by the withdrawal deadline".
Operation Policy: "The grade of W is given for a course officially dropped during the first six weeks of a term. A student should continue to attend a class until authorized by the academic dean to drop a course. The grade of WF is given when the student drops a course after the first 30 days of a term (12 days in summer) if the student is not passing the course at the time of the drop. A grade of WF will be given when the student is required by the dean to drop a course for failure to attend the class or for other reasons." P.77 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2002 - 2003.
My standpoint: Grades are earned. I cannot and will not give grades according to perceived needs of my students but according achievements and university guidelines. According to these guidelines poor performance by no means warrant the assignment of a "W." If you succeed with registration to drop the course for medical excuses, this is of course fine with me. VERY IMPORTANT: I cannot assign you a “W” without registration giving me the option.
Dates are listed in the academic calendar: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/calendar.html
Disabilities Accommodation: Any student who because of a disability may require special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations. Students should present appropriate verification from AccessTECH in the Student Counseling Center. No requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to the completion of this approved university process.
Academic Integrity: Keep in mind that I have to enforce the strict rules of academic behavior. Any student found cheating on the exam will receive an "F" for the exam and may receive an "F" for the entire course. “It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension. a. Dishonesty of any kind on examinations and quizzes or on written assignments, illegal possession of examinations, the use of unauthorized notes during an examination or quiz, obtaining information during an examination from the examination paper or otherwise from another student, assisting others to cheat, alteration of grade records, illegal entry or unauthorized presence in an office are instances of cheating. b. Complete honesty is required of students in the presentation of any and all phases of course work as their own. This applies to quizzes of whatever length as well as to final examinations, daily reports, and term papers. c. Plagiarism is offering the work of another as one's own without proper acknowledgement; therefore, any student who fails to give credit for quotations or essentially identical expressions of material taken from books, encyclopedias, magazines, internet sources, and other reference works, or from the themes, reports, or other writings of a fellow student, is guilty of plagiarism.(TTU OP 34.12)”
Civility in the Classroom: Please be referred to the University's policy posted at http://www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu/vpsa/publications/civility2002.pdf
Disclaimer: The documents linked to other sources on the WWW, others than http://www2.tltc.ttu.edu/Schneider2/ and its subdirectories, do not necessarily express the views of Texas Tech University or Dr. Andreas Schneider. @Copyright 2006 Andreas Schneider