CJ 206 Crime and Delinquency

Lecture Hours: 3
Credits: 3

Introduces the historical development of childhood and the legal concepts of delinquency. Studies crime and delinquency rates and typologies focusing on data variations impacted by age, sex, race/ethnicity, socio-economic and educational status, urbanization, and other key factors as independent variables. Introduces major theoretical perspectives and their application in the study of juvenile delinquency. Covers key concepts affecting juvenile victimization.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Explain the historical development of childhood, the juvenile legal protections and the concepts of delinquency.
Identify the methodologies for data collection, measurement, and current trends and patterns of juvenile delinquency.
Identify and describe the social factors impacting juvenile delinquency.
Propose the relationship between social institutions, schools, community, family, law enforcement and child protection agencies and juvenile delinquency.
Identify the influence of substance abuse on delinquent behavior.

Content Outline

Childhood and the Concept of Delinquency
Nature and Extent of Juvenile Delinquency
- Data collection and the limitations and challenges presented by data collection
- Chronic and serious juvenile offenders
- Juvenile victimization and the impact on delinquency
Theories of Delinquency
- Preventing delinquency
- Biosocial and psychological views
- Personality and intelligence factors
Social Factors and Social Institutions Affecting Delinquency
Developmental View of Delinquency
- Life course concepts
- Pathways to delinquency
- Latent trait theories
Gender Differences and Delinquency
- Developmental differences
- Socialization issues related to gender
- Liberal feminism vs. patriarchal views
Family and Delinquency
- Family conflict, efficacy, and deviance
- Child abuse and neglect
- Child protection system-philosophy and practice
Peer Relations, Interstitial Groups and Gang Involvement
- Adolescent peer relations
- Interstitial groups and gang involvement
- Sociological evaluation of peer relations
Juvenile Substance Abuse and Delinquency
- Frequently abused substances
- Trends in juvenile drug abuse
- Understanding why juveniles use drugs
- Pathways to substance abuse
- Drug use and delinquency, control strategies
Current Delinquency Prevention Strategies