Introduction to Youth Justice

Catalog description

The course introduces students to the structure and functions of the American juvenile justice system (JJS) and situates the JJS within the web of other youth-serving systems, most importantly, the child welfare system (CWS). The course also covers the characteristics of adolescents who come into contact with the JJS and CWS. A developmental perspective is used to understand the diverse pathways of juvenile delinquency, emphasizing the pivotal role that family, trauma, mental health difficulties and school play in youths' involvement in crime. This is a required course for the youth justice minor.