LAWF 1753 Juvenile Delinquency Syllabus 810 Spring 2026

Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
45.0401
Course Meeting Time

Wednesday 6:00pm-8:30pm

Course Description
Using case histories of juvenile delinquents as background information, the student will identify and explain the underlying causes and behavioral patterns of the juvenile delinquent. He or she will utilize this knowledge in applying theories, preventative methods and techniques. IAI: CRJ 914 Criminal Justice.

Course Alignment

IAI Number
LAWF-1753
IAI Title
Juvenile Delinquency
Explanation of Course Alignment

Using case histories of juvenile delinquents as background information, the student will identify and explain the underlying causes and behavioral patterns of the juvenile delinquent. He or she will utilize this knowledge in applying theories, preventative methods and techniques.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Zachary Powell
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815/802-8850 (Department Phone)
Faculty Office Number
815/802-8850
Faculty Student Support Hours

Office Location: 3rd Floor Adjunct Office

Office hours: By appointment only. Feel free to email me at zpowell@kcc.edu with any questions.

Faculty Information

Name: Zach Powell

Phone: 815/802-8850 (department phone)

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the history and evolution and define the terminology of the juvenile justice system in the United States.
  2. Explain how the family, peers, schools, and the community can influence delinquent behavior.
  3. Explain and discuss biological, sociological, psychological, and economic theories concerning the causes of juvenile delinquency.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of the political and socioeconomic issues associated with the juvenile justice system in the United States.
  5. Explain the similarities and differences between the juvenile and adult systems of justice in the United States.
Textbook/s and Course Materials

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

Author: BARTOLLAS

ISBN: 9780134558882

Methods of Evaluation

Course Goals and Learning Objectives:

Evaluation:

Attendance-30 points 
Discussions-50 points
Quizzes-125 points
Presentation/Project-50 points
Final Exam-50 points

Total: 305

Grading
A 100% – 90%
B 89% – 80%
C 79% - 70%
D 69% -- 60%
F 59% – 0%

 

Advanced arrangements must be made to make up quizzes / exams.

A student may only miss four (4) assignments

_______________________________________________________________

 

Course Policies:

 

Attendance (on time) at all scheduled class sessions is expected. Each absence will cause a deduction from your overall class grade.

 

Permission to make up an exam may be permitted by the instructor when an absence has been unavoidable. All makeup work must be done outside of regular class time and must be completed within one day of the absence unless other arrangements are made prior to the end of the one-day limit. 5 points will be deducted per class day for taking quizzes or exams late.

 
Academic Division

Business, Technology & Human Services

Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650

Course Policies

Withdrawals:

 

When it is necessary to withdraw from a course or from the college, a student may do so on or before the withdrawal date stated on the syllabus without receiving a punitive final grade. Change of Schedule forms (used to add or drop a course) are available in Student Services and the student should obtain the required signatures prior to submitting the Change of Schedule form to an adviser in Student Services. Students may submit Change of Schedule forms through the mail, but they must be postmarked no later than the withdrawal date. No withdrawals are allowed by phone. To determine the last date to withdraw with a grade of “W” in this course, log into KCConnect and click on “my registration statement” under Academic Profile.

 

Refund: 01/23/2026 Midterm: 03/13/2026 Withdraw: 04/06/2026

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior

Code of Conduct

Students need to adhere to the Code of Conduct located in the college catalog.

 

Email Policy

To ensure a student's privacy under all applicable education laws and to facilitate timely interactions, two College-authorized methods of electronic communication exist:  KCC-issued student email accounts (using the domain name of .student.kcc.edu) and the Canvas Learning Management System.  Students are expected to regularly check their KCC email accounts and Canvas for important incoming communication from the college or from individual instructors.  Students understand that emails they send from personal email accounts (other than those listed above) may not be delivered to the KCC recipient, and students should have no expectation that such messages will be answered.

 

Non-Attendance/Non-Participation

KCC complies with state law and federal financial aid policy. If you receive an attendance grade of F or are institutionally withdrawn from a course, it will affect your eligibility for financial aid. (1) You must attend at least one class or participate at least once for an online course (logging in without participation is not attending), by the 10th day of 16-week courses or within the first 10% of shorter-term classes. Non-attendance will result in an attendance grade of F. (2) If you have excessive absences and no reasonable chance of passing the course at midterm (or after), your instructor may give you a WX grade and have you institutionally withdrawn from the course.

Copyright:

The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC’s copyright policy is available at http://www.kcc.edu/copyright.

 
 

Syllabus Disclaimer:

Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.

Course Calendar

Course Calendar:

 

January 14: Introduction/Syllabus/What is Juvenile Delinquency?

January 21: Chapter 1-Adolescence and Delinquency

January 28: Chapter 2-Measurement and Nature of Delinquency

February 4: Chapter 3- Individual Causes of Delinquency

February 11: Chapter 4- Social Theories of Delinquency

February 18: Chapter 5- Social Interactionist Theories of Delinquency

February 25: Chapter 6- Delinquency across the Life Course

March 4: Presentations/Projects

March 11: Chapter 7- Gender and Delinquency

March 18: Chapter 8- Families and Delinquency

March 25: Chapter 9- Schools and Delinquency

April 1: Chapter 10- Gangs and Delinquency

April 8: Chapter 11- Drugs and Delinquency

April 15: Chapter 12- Prevention of Delinquency

April 22: Chapter 13/14- An Overview of Juvenile Justice in America/ Police and the Juvenile

April 29: Chapter 15/16- Juvenile Court/ Juvenile Corrections

May 6: Final Exam Review

May 13: Final Exam

 

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.