Mini Paper- to apply criminological theory to a real-world example. 2 pages

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Mini Paper 1 (20 points possible)**

The purpose of this assignment is to apply criminological theory to a real-world example. For this assignment,

you will choose someone (e.g., yourself, a family member, or a friend) and learn about that persons’ delinquent

behavior (e.g., status offenses and criminal behavior they committed prior to age 18). You need only identify

one person.

** If you choose to interview someone else, conduct the interview using appropriate social distancing measures

(e.g., you might choose someone in your household or someone you can interview over the phone, Skype, or

Facetime).

After the interview, select a criminological theory covered in the class readings to apply to your subject’s

experiences to explain their delinquent behavior. If you choose to interview someone, you may need to ask

additional questions, such as why the subject believes they engaged in delinquent behavior and what their life

was like as a child and adolescent (e.g., family, school, and peer experiences related to criminological theories).

Keep in mind: the theory is the most important part of this paper. The interview only serves as an example to

apply the theory. When you apply the theory, plan to spend several paragraphs explaining the theory. Use the

paper to show me that you understand the theory you choose.

Instructions

• Choose someone to interview for your assignment.

o You may write your paper about your own experiences or those of a friend or family member.

Your assignment should focus on one person.

o Make sure the subject is comfortable talking about their delinquent behavior (any status offenses

or criminal behavior that occurred before they turned 18).

o Please keep the interviewee’s name/identity and interview responses confidential – do not share

them with others.

• Schedule a time to talk with the subject. Arrive prepared.

o You will want to ask your subject about their experiences and delinquent behavior growing up. I

recommend developing questions ahead of time and beginning with basic background questions

and leading into questions about delinquency.

▪ For example, “Tell me about your experiences growing up (e.g., Where? Parents?

Siblings? What was life like for you growing up?). You may want to ask about their

community and the people who influenced their life growing up.

▪ You can find delinquency questionnaires online and use this as a guide for delinquency-

related questions. You should be specific. For example, rather than asking about

“delinquency,” you could ask whether your interviewee ever ran away from home, used

drugs, took something that didn’t belong to them, etc.

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▪ It is okay if the subject has little or no delinquent experiences. You will need to find

evidence from their life experiences to explain why they did not participate in

delinquency.

o You may want to record your interview and take notes so that you can refer back to them later.

• Once the interview is complete (or you’ve thought about your own experiences), review your notes

and choose a criminological theory that best explains your subject’s participation (or lack of

participation) in delinquent behavior.

o Prepare a paper briefly summarizing relevant information about your subject and the

criminological theory you have chosen.

▪ Be sure to state which theory you have chosen and explain what the theory proposes in

detail. Define any key terms and cite the textbook.

▪ Use your chosen theory as a basis for explaining your interviewee’s delinquent (or lack of

delinquent) behavior growing up.

▪ Be sure to include all components of the theory you have chosen.

o Your paper should be a formal written document typed in paragraph style (avoid bullet

points). It may help to organize the paper by devoting a few paragraphs to introduce and explain

your chosen theory. Next review your subject’s life and delinquent experiences briefly. End your

paper with a discussion of how the subject’s life experiences provide evidence in support of your

chosen theory.

o A brief introduction paragraph and a conclusion paragraph are recommended.

o Be specific and use examples from your subject’s life to demonstrate theoretical concepts.

o Formatting requirements: typed, 12-point font, double-spaced, one-inch margins, Times New

Roman typeface, correct citations as necessary

▪ A minimum of two pages is required, but you will not be penalized for a longer paper.

▪ Please pay attention to formatting (indent new paragraphs, correct font and spacing, etc.).

You will lose points if your paper is incorrectly formatted.

▪ Cite sources of information both within and at the end of your document. Use in-text

citations when you paraphrase or quote other sources, and include a complete reference at

the end of your paper. APA or MLA style will be accepted.

▪ Submit a Word.docx file

o DUE any time until Sun, Nov 15 by 11:59pm.