PLG 325 : Juvenile and Education Law

Course Description

In this course students will study the evolution legal theory and law as related to juveniles. Students will explore the rights of juveniles both in court settings and non-court settings. Students will examine the nuances and jurisdiction of the juvenile court system, the rights of the children in the system, the types of investigations, hearings and procedures that occur in juvenile matters. Students will focus on issues of delinquency, status offenses, abuse, neglect and dependency paying special attention to the roles of prosecutors, guardians ad litem, attorneys for the minor child and defense counsel. Students will also learn about education law as it impacts all students. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Explain the legal status, rights and obligations of juveniles in and out of court settings.
  2. Assess the goals of the juvenile justice system in modern society.
  3. Describe the juvenile delinquency process from intake to disposition.
  4. Evaluate the rights and obligations to of parties to child protection proceedings.
  5. Describe the child protection litigation process from intake to disposition.
  6. Summarize federal laws that regulate education for juveniles.
  7. Consider the roles and expectations for legal professionals working in the areas of juvenile justice, child protection and education law.
  8. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze legal issues related to juvenile law through writing proficiencies appropriate to the college level.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

30%

Journal Entries (Weeks 1-7)

10%

Quizzes (Weeks 2, 4, 6 & 8)

30%

Course Project Preparation Assignment (Week 4)

10%

Course  Project (Week 8)

20%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Abrams, D., Mangold, S. & Ramsey, S. (2021). Children and the Law. West Academic Publishing.ISBN-13: 9781647085810

Course Schedule

WeekSLOsReadings and ExercisesAssignments

1

1,8

Topic: Status, Rights and Obligations of Juveniles

  • Read and review assigned materials
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Complete the Week 1 Journal Entry
  • Submit the topic for your Course Project, due in Week 8

2

1,8

Topics: Private Law Issues Outside the Family & Constitutional Rights

  • Read and review assigned materials
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Complete the Week 2 Journal Entry
  • Complete the Week 2 Quiz
  • Begin working on your Course Project Preparation Assignment (due in Week 4)

3

2,7,8

Topics: Juvenile Justice: Historical Perspectives and the Modern Approach

  • Readings:
    • Children and the Law:
    • Chapter 9: pp. 461 - 472
    • Chapter 10: pp. 473 - 495
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Complete the Week 3 Journal Entry
  • Continue working on your Course Project Preparation Assignment (due in Week 4)

4

2,3,7,8

Topics: Juvenile Justice: The Process

  • Readings:
    • Children and the Law, Chapter 10: pp. 495-596
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Complete the Week 4 Journal Entry
  • Submit your Course Project Preparation Assignment
  • Complete the Week 4 Quiz

5

4,7,8

Topics: The Child and the Family - Child Abuse and Neglect

  • Readings:
  • Children and the Law
    • Chapter 3: Child Abuse and Neglect
      1. 91-108
      2. 115 - 141
    • Chapter 5: Criminal Abuse and Neglect
      1. 205 - 220
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Complete the Week 5 Journal Entry
  • Continue working on your Course Project (due in Week 8)

6

5,7,8

Topics: State Intervention: The Child Protection Litigation Process

  • Read and review assigned materials
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Complete the Week 6 Journal Entry
  • Complete the Week 6 Quiz
  • Continue working on your Course Project (due in Week 8)

7

6,7,8

Topics: Education Law - Overview of federal and state regulation of education for juveniles

  • Readings:
    • S. Department of Education, Laws & Guidance, review the materials regarding the Every Child Succeeds Act ("ESSA") and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA").
    • Using Lexis/Nexis in the COSC Virtual Library, locate and review your state's statute(s) regulating education
  • Review assigned materials
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Complete the Week 7 Journal Entry
  • Continue working on your Course Project (due in Week 8)

8

 

6,7,8

Topic: Education Law - IDEA and special education issues

  • Read assigned materials
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Submit the Week 8 Course Project
  • Complete the Week 8 Quiz
  • Complete Course Evaluation

Final Exam
SLOs 1-10

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.