CJ& 106 - Juvenile Justice

• Define the terminology and legal terms unique to the juvenile justice system.
• Summarize and explain the history and evolution of the juvenile justice system and its effects on current juvenile justice policies and practices within the United States.
• Examine the major criminological theories that explain the causes of delinquent behavior.
• Analyze the association between social, economic, personal, and demographic factors that influence directional changes, trends, and crime rates of delinquent behavior.
• Distinguish the differences between the adult and juvenile justice systems.
• Describe the laws, procedures, prevention programs, and agencies (private, non-profit, county, state, and federal) of the juvenile justice system.
• Recognize the roles, responsibilities, and discretionary powers of juvenile justice professionals, as well as external professions that impact the juvenile justice system.
• Identify central principles and strategies used to prevent juvenile delinquency.
• Describe how the juvenile justice system and diversion programs effect the individual, the family, and society.
• Analyze the current issues and challenges of diverse populations within the juvenile justice system.

1. History of juvenile justice system and offending
2. Theories of juvenile delinquency, including biological, sociological, and psychological
3. Juvenile justice system processes
4. Program and policy evaluation
5. Current topics in gender, race, and special populations
6. The role of family, peer groups, gangs, and other groups on delinquency
7. The role of peer groups, juvenile gangs, and other groups on delinquency.
8. Gender and delinquency