In your essays be sure to demonstrate the breadth of your understanding. You may use any course materials except each other.
A few writing suggestion may help you: first, try to be as specific as possible. Examples are a great way to illustrate ideas.
Second, it is a good idea to write a brief outline and follow it as you write. It is better to have a partial, well-organized essay than a sloppy, ambiguous, and poorly constructed one.
In all of the questions you must use relevant course materials to support your arguments, failure to do so will result in the deduction of points.
Also you must make references to these materials in your analysis in a systemic manner. That is, just mentioning the names or ideas does not count as a deep examination.
Short Essay (approximate length two pages)
1. Distinguish between delinquents and status offenders.
2. In your own words, what is the "controversy of culpability?"
3. Which theory used to explain juvenile delinquency is the weakest? Explain and support your argument.
4. Define and explain what is meant by social process theory. Be sure to draw upon our discussion and your text books.
5. Create your own short essay question and answer it. Points are awarded for both the question and the answer.
6. What is the most significant historical development in juvenile justice? Explain.
Long Essay (approximate length three to four pages)
1. Who is a juvenile? Discuss all considerations involved in defining who is a juvenile. Has being a juvenile changed?
2. What is juvenile delinquency? How does delinquency vary from young men to young women?
3. Define parens patriae. Why is this concept important to understanding juvenile justice?
4. Who is subject to the scope and jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system?
5. In your own words, define determinism. What would be the difference between biological determinism and environmental determinism?
6. How has the labeling perspective been important to the operation of the juvenile justice system?
7. Make a list of the benefits and drawbacks of official data and self-report data for measuring the extent of juvenile offending. Which measure do you feel is the best for measuring juvenile offending? Explain.
8. What is one form of juvenile conduct under police scrutiny that is usually never under scrutiny for adults? Explain.
9. Compare and contrast at least three different types of criminological theory that explain juvenile delinquency.
10. Create your own short essay question and answer it. Points are awarded for both the question and the answer.
11. Explain the history behind the creation of the first juvenile court.
Required Essay (approximate length three to four pages)
1. Write an essay in which you discuss the role that parents, school, and peers play in the development of (or prevention of) juvenile delinquency.
In your essay you should identify (1) the theory that you believe best addresses the influence of parents, (2) the theory that you believe best addresses the influence of school, and (3) the theory that you believe best addresses the influence of peers in the development of deviant behavior.
Be sure to explain your theories in detail, and emphasize what the theory has to say about the role of parents, school, and peers where appropriate.