JUVENILE JUSTICE
CJ 4230
Spring
2004
Professor: Phyllis B. Gerstenfeld, J.D., Ph.D.
Office: C213G
Phone: 667-3229
E-mail:
Web Page: http://cjwww.csustan.edu/cj/courses/juvjust/juvjust.html
Required Texts:
Davis, Scott, Wadlington, & Whitebread (1997), Children in the Legal System: Cases and Materials (2d Ed.). Foundation Press.
Krisberg & Austin, Reinventing Juvenile Justice. Sage (on reserve in library--no need for you to buy it).
Course Method and Procedure:
This course will consist of the study of historical information, court cases, and research results. Although portions of class periods will be spent in lecture, students will be expected and encouraged to participate in class discussions. It is very important that students complete the assigned readings on time. Students will be held responsible for all assigned readings, including the texts and cases. Class participation will be graded.
Grading:
Grades will be based on three criteria: the exams (70%), the term project (25%), and an out of class assignment (5%). Grades will be assigned as follows:
90 to 100 - A
80 to 89 - B
70 to 79 - C
60 to 69 - D
Below 60 - F
Exams:
There will be two written, closed-book examinations. These exams will be based on lectures, classroom discussions, and the readings. The exams will likely consist of a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. You are responsible for all readings that are assigned, whether they are covered in class or not.
No make-up exams will be given, as they are an extreme inconvenience to the instructor and the department secretary, and may be unfair to other students. Students who miss one of the regularly scheduled exams must instead take a comprehensive final. The date and time of this final will be announced in class; only one time will be available. No other options will be offered.
In addition, students who have taken both regular exams but who wish to attempt to raise their test average may take the comprehensive final if they choose to do so. If they score higher on the final than on one of the regular exams, the final score will replace the original one. If they score lower on the final than on either regular exam, their original scores will not be affected (thus, taking the final cannot hurt a person's grade).
Students who take both of the regular exams and are satisfied with their scores do not need to take the final.
Term Project:
This is a four-credit course. The reason for this is that each student is required to complete a substantial term project. More information about this project will be given in class.
Attendance and Preparedness:
Frequent absences or failure to complete the assigned readings on time will have an adverse impact on your grade.
Electronic
“conveniences”:
Essays and term papers will be accepted in old-fashioned, hard-copy format only. They will not be accepted via fax, email, etc.
The instructor has a pet peeve about the use of cell phones
and similar gadgets during class. They’re disruptive, especially when they ring
in the middle of class, or when students decide to do text-messaging during
discussion or lecture. During class, all cell phone ringers must be turned off,
and the phones must be stowed away. If your phone rings during class, you will
be given an extra assignment to complete of the instructor’s choosing.
Assignments:
|
Date |
Topic |
Readings |
|
Feb. 17 |
Introduction |
|
|
Feb. 19-24 |
History of Juvenile Justice |
Reinventing Juvenile Justice (RJJ) Ch.2 |
|
Feb. 26-Mar. 2 |
Whose rights are they, anyway? |
Meyer v. Nebraska, Children in the Legal System (CILS) p.13; Pierce v. Society of Sisters, CILS p.16; Prince v. Massachusetts, CILS p.20; Wisconsin v. Yoder, CILS p.28 |
|
Mar. 4-9 |
The same rights as adults? |
Ginsberg v. New York, CILS p.129; Tinker v. Des Moines, CILS p.142; Bethel v. Fraser, CILS p.249; Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, CILS p.258; Qutb v. Strauss, CILS p.108; Bellotti v. Baird, CILS p.193; Melton, CILS p.228; Zbaraz brief, CILS p.234 |
|
Mar. 11 |
No class |
Out of class assignment TBA |
|
Mar. 16 |
School discipline |
Goss v. Lopez, CILS p.285; Ingraham v. Wright, CILS p. 295 |
|
Mar. 18-23 |
No class |
Out of class assignment TBA |
|
Mar. 25-30 |
School searches |
New Jersey v. TLO, CILS p.314; Vernonia v. Acton, CILS p.940 |
|
Apr. 1-6 |
Interrogation |
In re Thompson, CILS p. 953; Fare v. Michael C., CILS p.959 |
|
Apr. 8 |
Exam #1 |
|
|
Apr. 20 |
Contemporary juvenile justice system |
RJJ Ch. 3 |
|
Apr. 22-27 |
Due process |
In re Gault, CILS p.747; In re Winship, CILS p.772; McKeiver v. Pennsylvania, CILS p.775; Schall v. Martin, CILS p.889 |
|
Apr. 29 |
Waiver to adult court |
People v. J.S., CILS p.825; CA Welfare & Institutions Code, p.838 |
|
May 4 |
Gender and race |
RJJ Ch. 4 |
|
May 6 |
Dispositions |
Handout; Nelson v. Heyne, CILS p.311 |
|
May 11 |
What works |
RJJ Ch. 5 |
|
May 13 |
Status Offenders |
Handout |
|
May 18 |
Future of Juvenile Justice |
RJJ Ch.6 |
|
May 20 |
Exam #2 |
|
|
May 25 |
Final Exam |
|
NOTE: Due to extenuating circumstances, these assignments are subject to change