Juvenile Justice in the United States

Catalog description

What should society do when children break the law? This seminar will explore the theory and practice of juvenile justice in the United States from the 18th century until the present. Using the lenses of legal history and policy evaluation we will explore the development and current state of juvenile justice policies, practices, and institutions. Students will be asked to assess the continuities and changes between different policy regimes as well as the risks and opportunities that they represent. Class visits by juvenile justice practitioners will provide another opportunity to learn about and explore these themes and topics.