MILESTONE 2

CJ 500 Milestone Two Guidelines and Rubric

Overview: For this assignment, you will submit your in-depth analysis of the contemporary criminal justice issue that you have selected. This analysis will identify factors contributing to the issue by examining the criminological theories behind it. Specifically, what criminological theory forms your understanding of the issue? Indicate the impact of this issue on the criminal justice system. For example, how does the issue impact law enforcement, the courts, and corrections? Address the negative impacts of the issue on the criminal justice system, the general public, and specific populations. Then, identify the strategies to influence change. Be sure to cite any data you have analyzed so far, data which you will rely upon to provide recommendations to your criminal justice issue in both the Module Six Short Paper and your Milestone Three submission in Module Seven.

Prompt: Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

II. Issue Analysis A. Select a criminological theory that informs your understanding of the issue, justifying your selection. B. Identify factors contributing to the issue, justifying your identifications with the selected criminological theory. In other words, what are the

factors contributing to the issue? How is the identification of these factors supported by the selected theory? C. Describe how the issue impacts the criminal justice system, providing specific examples of how the branches of the criminal justice system are

affected by the issue. For example, how does the issue impact law enforcement, the courts, and corrections? D. Describe how the issue impacts the general public, providing specific examples. Does the issue affect specific populations? E. Determine the key stakeholders of the issue, identifying both the key people impacted by the issue, as well as those with the power to influence

change. Justify your selections. F. Describe strategies that are currently employed to address the issue. These strategies may be used in the community with the issue, or in a

different community with the same issue. G. Assess the effectiveness of the previously identified strategies in addressing the issue, justifying your assessment. How effectively do the

strategies combat the issue, and where are there gaps? H. How does your previous assessment impact the specific branches of the criminal justice system? Justify your response. In which branches are

the strategies most and least effective?

Guidelines for Submission: Your submission should include reference to recent peer-reviewed articles, be at least 2 pages in length (in addition to title and reference pages) and should use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Use APA style to cite your sources within the text of your paper and on the reference page.

Refer to the Criminal Justice Library Tips document for assistance in finding and citing outside sources. The Problem-Solving Strategies and Sample document demonstrates how a problem-solving strategy can be applied to help find a solution to a problem.

Please note that the grading rubric for this milestone submission is not identical to that of the final project. The Final Project Rubric will include an additional “Exemplary” category that provides guidance as to how you can go above and beyond “Proficient” in your final submission.

Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (70%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Select Theory Selects a criminological theory that informs the understanding of the issue, justifying selection

Selects a criminological theory that informs the understanding of the issue, but with gaps in detail, accuracy, or justification

Does not select a criminological theory that informs the understanding of the issue

11.5

Factors Contributing to the Issue

Identifies factors contributing to the issue, justifying identifications with the selected criminological theory

Identifies factors contributing to the issue, but with gaps in detail, logic, justification, or appropriate application of criminological theory

Does not identify factors contributing to the issue

11.5

Criminal Justice System Describes how the issue impacts the criminal justice system, providing specific examples of how the branches of the criminal justice system are affected

Describes how the issue impacts the criminal justice system, but with gaps in examples, detail, or accuracy

Does not describe how the issue impacts the criminal justice system

11.5

General Public Describes how the issue impacts the general public, providing specific examples

Describes how the issue impacts the general public, but with gaps in examples, detail, or accuracy

Does not describe how the issue impacts the general public

11.5

Stakeholders Determines the key stakeholders of the issue, identifying both the key people impacted, as well as those with the power to influence change, justifying selections

Determines the key stakeholders of the issue, identifying both the key people impacted, as well as those with the power to influence change, but with gaps in justification, detail, or logic

Does not determine the key stakeholders of the issue

11.5

Strategies Describes strategies currently employed to address the issue

Describes strategies currently employed to address the issue, but with gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not describe strategies currently employed to address the issue

11.5

Effectiveness Assesses the effectiveness of identified strategies in addressing the issue, justifying assessment

Assesses the effectiveness of identified strategies in addressing the issue, but with gaps in justification or logic

Does not assess the effectiveness of identified strategies in addressing the issue

11.5

Branches Explains how the previous assessment of strategies impacts the specific branches of the criminal justice system, justifying response

Explains how the previous assessment of strategies impacts the specific branches of the criminal justice system, but with gaps in justification or logic

Does not explain how the previous assessment of strategies impacts the specific branches of the criminal justice system

11.5

Articulation of Response Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, or syntax

Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, or syntax that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas

Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, or syntax that prevent understanding of ideas

8

Total 100%