PAPER

CRJ 102 FINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT

This assignment is worth 20% of your grade. For your paper, you will select a recent crime article and apply a criminological theory to the crime.  The crime you choose to discuss should be no more than 2 years old.  The article you choose should have sufficient information for you to make proper assumptions related to the theory you choose. You will have to: 1) collect background data about crime – this will entail collecting secondary data. The paper will be graded on how well you are able to take the information you collected about the crime, apply a theory, explain it, and describe how it applies to the crime, and then assemble all of these points into a coherent narrative.

Whether or not I agree with the theory you have chosen does not matter.  What matters is how you defend your position.  If you provide a compelling argument for why and how that theory is applicable, then you have completed your assignment.  Basically, I am looking to gauge whether or not you “get it.”  If you can explain the theory to me and apply it, then you will have demonstrated to me that you understand the theory.

Theory Application: Choose a theory discussed during the semester that you feel explains the crime you chose. When applying the theory, you need to be thorough:

  1. Name the theory
  2. Name who came up with the theory (might be more than one person)
  3. Name the perspective the theory is based on (for example, is it a social structure theory, or a social process theory, etc.). Discuss the perspective as well as the individual theory.
  4. Explain the theory in detail – what does the theory say exactly about why crime happens? If it is a theory that has different stages, you should name and explain them all.
  5. Explain why this is the theory you think applies.
  6. You should be able to name names, or, at the very least, name a theory associated with your answer (e.g., if you discuss labeling, then you must speak be specific about which theorist you are referring).
  7. You should be specific, explicit, and thorough when writing. Never take for granted that the reader knows what you are talking about. When you use a term, define it; when you apply a theory, explain it; when you name a name, explain who he/she is and what she is known for.
  8. Your paper should be 4-5 pages, or 1000-1250 words. Your paper can be longer, and SLIGHLY shorter, but not too much. If your paper is under the word requirement by 70 words or more, I will deduct points from your paper grade.

Whether or not I agree with your application does not matter. What matters is that you explain the perspective/concept/theory correctly.

 

GENERAL TIPS FOR WRITING PAPERS

Please refer to the guidelines below on what is expected in a college-level essay.

A college-level essay should consist of more than just an introduction, body and conclusion. Your essay must have not only the aforementioned, but also some level of sophistication so the reader can tell that you are speaking from a place that is more than just “common sense.”

FORMAT

  • All work is typed
  • Font is standard (12 pt.)
  • 1” margins on all sides
  • Double-spaced
  • APA citation (please consult with the LIBRARY or WRITING CENTER for help on how to cite using APA format (the Purdue OWL website is also a great resource)
  • 4-5 pages long (that is, 1,000-1,250 words)
  • The introductory paragraph is at least SIX sentences long
  • Spellcheck applied to FINAL draft
  • The paper does not contain contractions (no “don’t,” “can’t,” “couldn’t”)
  • Do not use first person pronouns (we, I, you, us, our, my, mine, me)

PAPER

  • Focused, clear, uses a point effectively, and supports the thesis you are making – meaning:
    • Does the essay answer the question that is asked?
    • Does the essay critically analyze the subject matter?
    • Is the information clearly, coherently and concisely synthesized and presented?
  • Uses appropriate sources to make a sensible argument
  • Integrates quoted material effectively
  • Does not come entirely from just one source nor does it rely heavily on only one or two sources
    • At least 3 sources (NO WIKIPEDIA, NO BLOGS!)

BONUS POINTS FOR

  • A student generated visual aid
    • Chart, graphic (not a picture you stole from the internet)