CCJ 3117: Theories of Criminal Behavior

(Alternative) Assignment 1: Social Disorganization Theory (30 points)

I provide alternative assignments instead of the book review assignment. The alternative assignments consist of two sections – you must conduct both assignment 1 & 2.

So, you can choose the book review assignment or the alternative two assignments. The due date is April 26^th.

Introductions: For this assignment, you will apply Social Disorganization Theory to a CITY of your choice that you believe suffers from high crime rate. You will explain the high crime rate in your city utilizing the assumption of Social Disorganization Theory.

This assignment consists of TWO main parts:

1. Explain Social Disorganization Theory (1 page)

Ø Explain the background of the theory as well as the main assumptions

2. After researching your city: (2-3 pages)

Ø Discuss the visible signs of social disorganization according to the theory and any other relevant ones

Ø Apply the main components of Social Disorganization Theory to your city (e.g. residential instability, racial/ethnic heterogeneity, poverty)

Ø Discuss how each of these components or the combination of components of the theory could explain the crime rate in your city

Ø What would you recommend in terms of policy to address the issue of crime in your city?

Style guidelines:

The assignment will be 2-3 pages long, typed, and in Times New Roman 12-point front (double space) with 1-inch margins. You must write complete sentences. Deviations from this format may result in the loss of points, including intentionally stretching the margins, increasing the front size, changing line, etc. in order to meet the minimum page requirement. Your grade will be based on the content of your review. The due date of this assignment is April 26^th. When it is submitted prior to the due date, it is “not” allowed to revise it again. Make sure to provide a list of references (no particular format).

CCJ 3117: Theories of Criminal Behavior

(Alternative) Assignment 2: Film Review Guidelines (70 points)

Please select any one movie from the list provided (the attached document). This assignment is based on the film that shows criminals or criminality. This film review is more than a report or summary of a film’s contents. A review is a critical essay evaluating the merits of an academic work. Its purpose is not to prove that you have watched the film, but to show that you can think critically about what you have watched.

You are not allowed to use online resources including blogs, Wikipedia, film summaries or reviews, etc. You should not confer with any other student: this review should be done independently and be based on your own individual assessment.

Your film review should address the following:

1. Introduction

Ø Provide some basic information about the film

Ø Briefly summarize the plot of the film

2. Description

Ø Provide a more detailed description of your personal impression of the film; in other words, what stands out in your mind when you think about the film?

Ø Provide a detailed description of the social context (e.g. political, economic, cultural aspect, etc.) related to crime and/or the emotionality/personality of criminals represented by the film (e.g. individual stories, traumatic experiences, etc.)

3. Theory

Ø Select a theory (or two theories) we have studied over the course

Ø Explain the main assumptions and components of the theory(s)

4. Theory Application

Ø Apply your selected theory(s) to filmic depiction of crime or criminals

5. Conclusion

Ø Overall, how well does the theory(s) explain crime or criminals shown in the film?

The review will be evaluated on four criteria:

1. Writing, no or minor grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors

2. Execution, how well the review is organized and written

3. Analysis, an understanding and reasoning of the author’s perspective

4. Knowledge of course material, how well you understood the course material and relate it to the topic discussed in the book

Grading Rubric:

25% of grade

1. Writing: No or minor spelling, grammatical or punctuation errors with complete sentences written in an essay format (please, do not write in bullets or point by point answering the questions)

75% of grade

2. Execution: The review should have a clear introduction, summarize the key themes in the film, provide an analysis using evidence of why the film has a certain position.

3. Analysis: Provide reasons and evidence why the film has a certain point of view.

4. Knowledge of the course material: The review should demonstrate your understanding of the course material by referencing criminological theories discussed over the semester and by synthesizing the main points across the topics covered in class and ideas discussed in the film.

Style guidelines:

The assignment will be 4-6 pages long, typed, and in Times New Roman 12-point front (double space) with 1-inch margins. You must write complete sentences. Deviations from this format may result in the loss of points, including intentionally stretching the margins, increasing the front size, changing line, etc. in order to meet the minimum page requirement. Your grade will be based on the content of your review. The due date of this assignment is April 26^th. When it is submitted prior to the due date, it is “not” allowed to revise it again. Make sure to provide a list of references (no particular format).

Attached.

List	Movie title
1	Double Indemnity (1944)
2	Frankenstein (1931)
3	Psycho (1960)
4	Taxi Driver (1976)
5	Traffic (2000)
6	Mystic River (2003)
7	Capturing the Friedmans (2003)
8	Do the Right Thing (1980)
9	Thelma & Louise (1991)
10	City of God (2002)
11	Shutter Island (2010)
12	A Clockwork Orange (1971)