Working With Youth Gangs Summer 2009 1 Professor Lauderdale Working With Youth Gangs The School of Social Work The University of Texas at Austin Instructor Michael Lauderdale, PhD Clara Pope Willoughby Centennial Professor of Criminal Justice in Social Work email [email protected] Room: SSW 2.116 SW F360K 94095; 93970 and SW393U3 965755 Time: 8:30-10:30 a.m. MTW&Th Office: SWB 3.113J, 471-9246 Assistant’s Office Office: Hartland Resources: Email [email protected] Website https://courses.utexas.edu/ Course Overview Gangs are social groupings that have norms that violate laws and social norms of the larger society. They range in characteristics from youth associations that will appear among grade school youngsters and neighborhood youth to more tightly organized street gangs to social enterprises that may last for several generations. In some cultures gang-like entities serve as rites of passage to adulthood. Among the Plains Indians, for example, raiding parties of young men would prey on neighboring tribes, Mexican and Anglo settlements and much of the raiding was to demonstrate strength, bravery and cunning. Cultures of antiquity such as the Greek and the Roman used youth gangs as preparation for entre into warrior societies as did the Normans of Scandinavia. Late in the 19th Century popular writing depicted gangs in cities like New York and London. Much of Charles Dickens’ writings concerned young gangs in London. Males have been far more visible as gang members in the past but there is an increase in female members of gangs but exclusively female gangs are rare. No culture is without some example of gang activity. Gang activity or visibility varies over the years. Substantial gang activity occurred after the Civil War, during the Great Depression, in the early 60’s and the late 80’s. Visibility has increased in the last 5 years. This course will approach gangs from the perspective of groups and view gang activity from that orientation. It will include material on how to identify and work with gangs as well as reasons for gang membership. Four major types of gangs will receive attention. Social groups as they appear in middle, high schools and colleges will be one type. A second type is street gangs that are the most familiar for many people. A third type will be adult criminal gangs such as motorcycle gangs, prison gangs or gangs engaged in large scale rackets such as the distribution and sale of drugs, prostitution and protection. A fourth will be international gangs such as those of Salvadorian refugees, Mexican drug cartels, and terrorist entities. Course Objectives 1. Examine the relative incidence and history of gangs among youth and young adultsWorking With Youth Gangs Summer 2009 2 Professor Lauderdale 2. Examine the structure of youth gangs as social groups and extend those concepts to formal and informal adult organizations 3. Examine the relations between adolescent self-development, the role of peer groups and the influence of peer culture 4. Understand approaches being used by police, prosecutors, community groups and the schools to prevent the development of gangs 5. Overview conceptual material and direct contact with community programs to work with gangs and gang prevention 6. Review current research and policy issues in dealing with gang activity in Austin 7. Examine the role of youth in gang membership and terrorism Course Texts Shelden, Randall G., Tracy, Sharon K., and Brown, William B. (2004) Youth Gangs in American Society. Belmont, California: Wadsworth. Required readings will be posted at the class web site. Additional readings as assigned. Assigned use of the Internet is a class requirement. Student Responsibilities 1. This is an upper division class and mature work is expected. Some material is confidential and students will be expected to maintain any restricted information to themselves. Attend class regularly. Attendance will be taken and counts toward final grade. Each missed day will deduct 5% from the final grade. Late and leaving early count as a miss. 2. During class time, no telephones or pagers or IPod devices or reading material other than text and notes. 3. Hats and caps off during class. 4. No food or drink during class. 5. Check class Blackboard site weekly at http://courses.utexas.edu 6. Come prepared to class to participate. Instructor will ask questions about material including Blackboard postings and you will want to be prepared. 7. Dress appropriately. We will have guest speakers that you may see in other settings and that watch what we do and who we are at the University closely. Basis for Grades and Dates of Exams and Papers Participation 25% Daily Attendance, Preparation, and Participation in class and at the web site Weekly Class Exams 35% . Class Final 40% Thursday, July 9, 2009 if enrolled for graduate credit, paper will account for 20% and exam for 20%. Class Participation This class will consist of lectures, presentations from area leaders, and class exercises. Class attendance and participation is required. The instructor will moderate a discussion group for the class and members are toWorking With Youth Gangs Summer 2009 3 Professor Lauderdale participate in this Web-based group. You will be expected to post an item or reply on the DISCUSSION AREA each week. Friday will be the day that the week’s discussion is due for completion. If you do not have home or work access to the web, many University facilities including at the School of Social Work are available. Paper Topics for Persons Enrolled for Graduate Credit Propose a Topic to the Professor by Thursday, June 11 History of an Austin Gang Aspects of College Life That Reflect Gang Characteristics Gang Issues in Austin Neighborhoods Middle Class Gangs Gangs in Texas Prisons Gangs and the Drug Trade in Texas Gangs in Professional Sports Gangs in Colleges Girls and Gangs Why Adolescents Become Involved in Gangs Existing Successful Programs To Prevent Gang Involvement Community Safety Programs Terrorists and Gangs Gangs and the Mexican Border Immigration, Marginalization and Gangs The Paper Required Format 1. Introduction: Why I have chosen this topic and my personal experience with gang phenomena (group membership, norms of the group, roles in the group, status hierarchy in the group) 2. Characteristics: of the Gang or Problem 3. Theories: What theories explain the situation? 4. Solutions: What might be