LAWF 1753 Juvenile Delinquency Syllabus 010 Spring 2026

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

Monday/Wednesday 9:30a-10:45a

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

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Dr. Melvina Calvin-Edwards
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
(815)802-8834 (office) (815)922-2258 (cell)
Faculty Office Number
L340
Faculty Student Support Hours

Monday-Thursday 12:30p-4p

Faculty Information

Dr. Melvina Calvin-Edwards

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

Bartollas, C., Schmalleger, F., and Turner, M. (2019). Juvenile Delinquency. Pearson.

Pelzer, D. (1995). A child called “it”. Health Communications.

Methods of Evaluation
  • Attendance/Participation (MILO) 5pts per class 160pts
  • In class Quizzes (4) 25pts each) 100pts
  • "A Child called it" review- 100pts
  • Delinquency Prevention programs writiing assignment 40pts
  • Final Exam (group assignment) 100pts
  • Presentations (GOP/DCFS/SO) 75pts
  • Heeling Neen video 25pts

    TOTAL POINTS: 600PTS
    100% – 90% = A
    89% -- 80% = B
    79% – 70% = C
    69% --60% = D

     
Academic Division

Business, Technology & Human Services

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

Course Policies

Course Policies

Covid-19: KCC continues to comply with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the Illinois Department of Public Health as we teach and learn in the COVID-19 era. Masks are optional. Time Commitment Expectation: At a minimum, the average person can expect to spend one to two additional hours outside of class. This time will be dedicated to reading the textbook chapter(s), answering study questions, studying for quizzes and tests. Class Attendance: Regular attendance at all scheduled class sessions is expected. There are NO excused absences. To receive full class attendance points, you must not be late or leave early. Reading assignments are indicated on the schedule and should be finished before the topic is covered in class. Some important information provided during the lecture does not appear in your textbook, but you will find it useful for completing your labs, quizzes or tests. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain handouts and information presented for any class for which he/she is absent. If a student misses four or more classes in one semester, he/she will receive an automatic “F”. FATS Simulator Lab, Apartment and CJ patrol vehicle Safety: Students will be allowed to learn through simulations in the simulated apartment and FATS simulator. Students will not be allowed to work in the simulated apartment Lab and FATS simulator outside of enrolled class times without prior approval or consent of instructor or program coordinator and direct supervision of tutor, instructor or program coordinator. Students must sign the college safety contract to participate in this course. There is also a safety contract students must sign in order to participate with the Criminal Justice FATS simulator and drive the Criminal Justice patrol vehicle for students with a valid driver’s license. Study Questions: Policy Study Questions can NOT be made up. Study Questions must be submitted by the date/time due. Any student failing to submit Study Questions by the date/time due will receive a zero. Quiz/test Policy: Quizzes and test can be made up. Any student arriving late for the quiz will not be given extra time to complete the quiz. Quizzes/tests may not be taken online outside of class. It is the responsibility of the student to request to make up the quiz or test within a week. After a week and the student fails to take a quiz or test, the student will receive a zero. Extra Credit Policy: Students may earn extra credit by participating in approved activities outside of regular class time. Opportunities include, but are not limited to, attending Teen Court sessions, volunteering at police agency events, or other community-based criminal justice activities as announced by the instructor.

Extra credit will be awarded in the form of points added to course assignments or overall grade at the instructor’s discretion.

Students must provide verification of attendance or participation (e.g., signed documentation, supervisor confirmation, or a brief reflection paper) within one week of the event to receive credit.

Extra credit is intended to enhance learning and cannot replace required coursework. Points earned through extra credit are limited to a maximum of 5% of the final grade.

Extra credit points are added on top of the required course points. However, they are capped, depending on the instructor’s chosen limit. Extra credit cannot replace required assignments.

All extra credit opportunities must be pre-approved by the instructor to ensure fairness and relevance to course objectives.

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior

Classroom Code of Conduct: Use of cell phones during class is not permitted. Use of tablets or laptops during class is not permitted. No texting, Twitter, Facebook, Internet surfing not related to Law Enforcement, No playing or watching video games. No sleeping. Please turn off or set cell phones to vibrate. If a call must be answered, please leave the classroom quietly. No disruptive side conversations while the instructor is teaching. If you violate any of these policies, you will lose that day’s attendance points and be asked to leave the class. Students need to adhere to the Code of Conduct located in the college catalog.

Course Calendar

Course Calendar
WEEK #1 JAN 12 Introduction to Course 
and Ch. 1 Adolescence and Delinquency
NO CLASS JAN 19th
WEEK #2 JAN 20 CH. 2 Measurement & Nature of Delinquency

WEEK #3 JAN 26 CH. 3 Individual causes of Delinquency
WEEK #4 FEB 2 CH. 4 Social Theories of Delinquency 
QUIZ #1 (Ch.1-4)
WEEK #5 FEB 9 CH.5 Social interactionist theories of delinquency

WEEK #6 FEB 16 CH. 6 Delinquency across the life course
WEEK #7 FEB 23 CH 7 Gender of Delinquency
WEEK #8 MAR 2 CH.8 Families and Delinquency

NO CLASS MAR 9th-13th
WEEK #9 MAR 16 CH. 9 Schools and Delinquency
QUIZ #2 (Ch. 5-8)

WEEK #10 MAR 23 CH. 10 Gangs and Delinquency
WEEK #11 MAR 30 CH.11 Drugs and Delinquency

WEEK #12 APR 6 CH. 12 Prevention of Delinquency

QUIZ #3
WEEK #13 APR 13 CH. 13 An Overview of Juvenile Justice in America

WEEK #14 APR 20 CH. 14 Police and the Juvenile
WEEK #15 APR 27 CH. 15 Juvenile Court
WEEK #16 MAY 4TH CH 16 Juvenile Corrections

Quiz #4
FINAL EXAM MAY 11th

***Chapters may change due to speaker schedules.

 

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.