TEXT, REFERENCES, AND SUPPLIES:

TEXT - REQUIRED: Cox, S.M., Conrad, J.J. & Allen, J. M. Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Theory and Practice (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. Boston, MA.

ISBN: 0-697-35617-5

REFERENCE MATERIALS USED BY INSTRUCTOR:
Texas Family Code: Juvenile Justice Code (Current).

Numerous publications of the National Institute of Justice, United States Department of Justice, The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and other applicable sources will be used during the course.

NOTE: Do not delay getting the textbook from the College Bookstore. There is no guarantee that there will be any left after the third week of class.


COURSE GOALS / OBJECTIVES:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Discuss the history of juvenile justice

(Understanding history facilitates understanding of laws, procedures and policies followed today)

Differentiate juvenile from adult criminal procedure

(Courts and legislatures have imposed specific rules for dealing with juveniles, and officers must know and comply with them)

Define terms specific to juvenile justice

(Terminology is essential to grasping concepts of dealing with juvenile courts and corrections)

Discuss characteristics of juvenile offenders

(Juvenile offenders share characteristics with, and have characteristics different from adult offenders, and officers must be award of differences to effectively handle juveniles)

Explain various theories of causation of crime

(Understanding theories of crime helps officers deal more effectively with different types of offenders)

Explain the role of juvenile courts

(Juvenile courts operate separately from criminal courts, and officers must understand the differences to deal effectively with courts)

Explain the process of detaining, processing, and adjudicating juvenile offenders

(The process of handing offenders and adjudicating juvenile cases is different from criminal cases; officers can avoid mistakes, potential liability and the possibility of lost cases by understanding the processes)

Discuss the relationship between police and juveniles

(The first contact most offenders have with the system is through the police; officers must understand how relationships with juveniles can affect current and future relationships as well as recidivism rates)

Explain the role of diversion in juvenile proceedings

(Diversion is fast becoming a common option to juvenile courts; officers must understand the concept and nature of diversion to better understand the role of juvenile courts)

Discuss alternative sentences available to juvenile courts

(The sentencing latitude afforded juvenile courts exceeds that of criminal courts, and officers must be understand it to be able to work within the system, communicate it to offenders and their guardians, and prepare cases accordingly)

Discuss the role of juvenile correctional facilities

(The role of corrections in the system is a simple, yet complex role; the rehabilitative role of corrections in juvenile justice exceeds that of adult corrections, and the focus of juvenile corrections differs from adult corrections)

ACTIVITY: students will take a field trip to the County Juvenile Detention Center

STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS AND CLASS POLICIES:

Each student should anticipate at least one hour out of class preparation for each lecture hour, plus study time preparing for examinations. Attendance is important in this class.

Portable cellular phones, beepers, and similar paging devices may be disruptive to the class, and you are encouraged NOT to bring them into the classroom. If you do bring them to class, please make sure they are turned off. Should they become a nuisance, you may be asked to remove them from the classroom.

Students missing a major examination will be given the opportunity to make up the exam before the next class period unless other arrangements are made with the instructor. Make-up examinations may be the same as, or different from, the examination given in class. Make-up examinations will cover the same material as the scheduled examination. Failure to make up an examination will result in a grade of zero for the missed exam. All work must be completed and turned in by Wednesday of the fifteenth week of the semester. No make-up work will be allowed during finals week.

Final exams are not given early or late.
The instructor reserves the right to give quizzes, announced or unannounced, at any time. There is no opportunity to make up quizzes that are missed.

NOTICE: The instructor reserves the right to drop students who stop attending or have an excessive number of absences. As a rule, however, the instructor does not drop students, and it is your responsibility to drop a class if you no longer plan to attend and complete the semester. Check the Midland College catalog for last day to drop.

EVALUATION OF STUDENTS:

This is a guide and is subject to change at the instructor's discretion.

If quizzes are not given the grades are adjusted accordingly.

Evaluations of students in this course may be by multiple choice, essay, a combination of objective and subjective questions, take-home assignments, or oral examination during class. Successful students will prepare for any type of examination of knowledge or understanding

COURSE SCHEDULE:

The class meets for three lecture hours per week.
An outline of the course is attached. This is a guide and is subject to change at the instructor's discretion.

SCANS INFORMATION:

The following SCANS skills are taught and/or reinforced in this course:

Systems: Understands complex interrelationships. Students will: define and explain parts of juvenile court system and their relationship to one another, the law, and the criminal justice system as a whole.

Reading: Locates, understands, and interprets written information. Students will: demonstrate ability to read and discuss written materials assigned, including the text.

Writing: Communicates thoughts, ideas, information and messages in writing. Students will: submit written assignments during course and complete essay questions on examinations.

Listening/Speaking: Receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages in ways appropriate to the purpose; organizes ideas and communicates appropriate messages. Students will: participate in class discussion, answer questions directed at them, participate in reviews and ask questions as necessary to clarify material.

*SCANS are workplace competencies established by the federal government; documentation of them is required in each program.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Instructor: Robert W. Peetz
Office: 174 TC
Telephone: (432) 685-4685
E-mail: rpeetz@midland.edu
Fax: (432) 685-4761
Division Business Studies
Chair: Mr. Gavin Frantz
Clerk: Ms. Mia Olvera
Office: 142 TC
Phone: (432) 685-4656
Office Hours: Subject to change each semester, office hours are posted and announced in class.

PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION

Two principles should guide you through your education. First, from your education you should learn "how to think, not what to think." The second is from Dr. Gennaro Vito (1999), and has 10 parts:

1. Work is good. Hard work is even better.
2. Preparation is the key to success.
3. Quality and presentation count.
4. Revision improves all things.
5. Learn to use all the tools available to you.
6. Work must be completed on time.
7. Time is more valuable than money.
8. Do not become an educated fool.
9. Nothing stays the same. Either you get better or your get worse.
10. The classroom is no place for democracy.

COURSE OUTLINE:
This course (CRIJ 1313) is an on-line course in the Spring 2008 semester. This outline is a guide for independent study. Exact dates for exams, assignments, etc., will be announced through the Blackboard course announcements to those enrolled in the course. Following this plan will allow sufficient time to study each chapter and ensure you keep up with the course work.

*NOTE: the average drop / failure rates for on-line courses at Midland College approaches 50%. Most of this is due to students lacking the discipline to keep up with the course, study regularly and preparing for exams on their own. It takes self discipline and determination to complete an on-line course. Do not become part of the failures!*