What purpose does violence serve for youth gangs? How do women and girls function inside gang culture? What role do news media play in helping or hurting communities plagued by gang violence? What is the changing response of law enforcement to gangs and youth violence?

This course will investigate American street gangs through group exercises, instruction, film, and guest speakers. Speakers will include former gang leaders; gang investigators, journalists, and violence intervention workers.

Class meetings will examine students’ concepts of what a gang is; the origins, structure and purposes of streets gangs; the experiences and roles of individual gang members. We’ll also look at American criminal gangs in the context of other young, armed groups around the world (i.e. child soldiers, insurgent groups, or organized crime rings).

Students will develop individual or group projects in the many Monterey County cities where gang violence is prevalent. Possible investigations include analyzing Salinas gang prevention and intervention strategies; case studies of girls involved in Seaside gangs; the economic engines behind local gangs; gangs and the spread of illegal small arms in the Salinas Valley; media portrayals of gang members.

We’ll compare strategies employed around the world to stem to youth violence, and explore the differences and similarities between American street gangs and other armed groups. Finally, the class will look at trends and the future role of gangs in American culture, with examinations of new approaches in community responses to gangs.

Students of this course will acquire a deep knowledge of American gang culture and factors that influence gang activity, and can expect to develop skills and knowledge that will make them assets to communities and organizations tackling with gang violence.