CHILDREN AND CRIME

Catalog description

A course for the Childhood Studies minor and the Victimology and Victim Services minor, this course surveys two general ways in which children and crime intersect: Children as victims of crime and children as perpetrators of crime. Under children as victims of crime, topics include theories of child development, child abuse and neglect, children's eyewitness testimony, and child protective services. Under children as perpetrators of crime, topics include theories of crime, juvenile delinquency, youth violence, and juvenile justice. Finally, the complex relationship between crime victimization and crime perpetration is discussed. Throughout this course, knowledge about normal child physical, cognitive, and social development will be brought to bear on the class topics. In addition, this course will incorporate theories and research in the fields of psychology, social work, and criminal justice.