4-6 pg paper

CRJ 2100 Criminological Theory Dr. Burrington

1

ESSAY: Applying Criminological Theories (100 POINTS)

Your writing assignment for this course is to write a 4-6 page paper based on one of the films assigned: “Over the Edge,” “Parasite,” “Office Space,” or “Boyz in the Hood.” Your job is to

take one (or, at most, two) of the crime theories we learned about in class, and apply it/them to the events depicted in the film you choose. To do this, you must consider and understand the theories we discussed in class (review the materials from the lecture, the handout provided in class on the different theories, and descriptions of the theories in course readings).

After you’ve developed an understanding of the theories we’ve discussed in the course, you will want to consider which theory you would like to use. First, you’ll need to decide if you think

the events in the film are better explained by an individual theory or a structural theory. For example, if you think that parenting is an important part of what happened in the film, you may wish to choose an individual-level theory. On the other hand, if you think there is something overall about the people in the neighborhood that is the main reason for the criminal activity, you may want to choose a structural theory. If you choose an individual theory, focus only on

one (or at most, two) of the characters depicted. Second, you’ll want to consider whether you think the criminal activity in the film is due to a lack of control (control theory), or because crime is being learned (learning theory). Those things should help guide your choice of a theory. In addition, you should keep in mind that some theories are harder to categorize, like Labeling or Strain Theory. Some theories may explain the events in the film better than others. However, even if you feel the theory you’ve chosen does a good job of explaining what happens in the film, you will still need to critically analyze the theory: Does it perfectly fit the crime(s) shown, or are there parts of the theory that do not apply or work correctly?

Here are some suggested theories you might use:

Individual: Social Control, Self-Control, Differential Association/Social Learning (for these two, it’s probably best to just use Social Learning Theory, which incorporates DA), Labeling, Seductions of Crime (“Sneaky Thrills,” specifically), Social Bonds, Adolescence-Limited/Life-

Course-Persistent, Strain

Structural: Subcultural theories—Choose one of the three theories we covered in lecture— Cohen (Delinquent Boys), Anderson (The Code of the Street), or Wolfgang & Ferracuti (Seven Principles of a Subculture of Violence)—(but if you use W & F, please incorporate the additional reading posted below the film instructions on Moodle, which provides more information about that theory, since we didn’t have an assigned reading on it).

NOTE:

The point of this paper is to be creative. I’m mainly interested in seeing you try to use a crime theory to analyze the events in the film. Thus, this paper is NOT an essay about the film.

CRJ 2100 Criminological Theory Dr. Burrington

2

An ideal way to organize your paper would be as follows: A. Introduction: A brief, general summary of what you’ll be doing in the paper—“In this paper, I will use events in the film to analyze ___________ theory. I will… .” You do not need to summarize the film’s events or its plot. Assume the reader has seen the film, knows the general plot, and is simply interested in how you are going to apply theory to the events you see in the film.

B. Description of the Theory: A description of the theory you intend to use—what does the theory say? What are its key elements or premises? Who created the theory? C. Critical Application of the Theory: A critical application of the theory that takes the elements or key premises/parts of the theory, and uses examples in the film to indicate whether each element/key premise is supported by the events in the film. Make sure you

evaluate all elements and key premises/parts of your theory (this is why I advise choosing just one theory). Please also make sure you provide examples from your film to illustrate your

points!

 For example, if you wanted to use Self-Control Theory, you might consider an individual

character and assess how that character reacts to perceived insults from others. Does the character seem especially concerned about whether their actions cause suffering to

others? Are they more physical than mental, etc.?

 The elements of a theory are the theory’s key parts. For example, a key part of the structural theory on a “Subculture of Violence” is that you can tell how strong the subculture is by the extent to which it is “diffuse” (adhered to by lots of people in the

area) and “penetrating” (how deeply people seem to believe in and abide by its rules). If you think that a “Subculture of Violence” may be present in the film, you would want

to explain how many of the people shown—of all different types/genders—seem to “buy into” it, and follow its rules without question.

 Consider Social Control Theory (Hirschi, 1969). It has four elements, remember? If you

wanted to use that theory, you’d want to discuss each of those elements and any other

important aspects that you read about in the chapter on that theory (pp. 169-177 in the text). To what extent do those 4 elements seem to play a role in the crime (or

obedience!) you see in the film?

While considering your theory, you may find that you don’t have clear evidence one way or the other to help you decide whether all of its key parts apply. (For example, we don’t know for sure what happened with the characters in early childhood, so if you choose a theory that thinks early childhood is important, you will need to address that .) If you run into this type of situation, just go ahead and tell me what other information you’d need to “make the call”

about whether the theory does a good job of explaining the events in the film.

CRJ 2100 Criminological Theory Dr. Burrington

3

D. Conclusion: A conclusion, where you size up the evidence to say whether the theory was supported (or not). ****VERY IMPORTANT: Thus, your paper should use the following subject headings for your discussion of parts A., B., C., and D.: Introduction, Description of the Theory, Critical Application of the Theory, Conclusion.

Citing sources: This assignment does not require you to do research beyond using the materials provided for class. However, when you describe the theory, you should cite the reading(s) from the class on that theory. I will provide you with the references for the relevant Moodle readings and relevant sources cited in the lectures. When you’re citing the source in the text, you should use a short citation format: (Hirschi, 2018).

Reference List: Attach a reference list at the back of your paper with the references you cite in

your paper (you will have only 1-3 references in most cases). The reference list page does not count toward your 4-6 page count.

Other things:

I am well aware of alternate source materials and essays for purchase online. Please note that use of a purchased essay for any portion of this assignment constitutes plagiarism and is also a

giant waste of your money since the essays you can buy don’t creatively apply crime theories, and that’s the major determinant of your grade on this assignment. Even if you find one that does apply crime theories, it’s probably crappy and nowhere near as good as something you

would write yourself. Trust me on this.

As you write your paper, you may find it would be helpful to bounce ideas off of other students. In general, it’s okay to do this, but your paper must be your own work. If you and your friend turn in papers using the same theory and same exact examples, that is plagiarism. If you and your friend come up with some different ideas and examples, but talk through your respective ideas to make sure they’re sound, then that’s okay.

Please run spell-check and write grammatically. When in doubt, make your sent ences short and clear. If you write well, that’s great. If you are not a writer, just make sure you are clearly conveying your points to me. Your creative thought and careful work on this paper will overcome a lack of skills in this area, as long as you are considerate of the fact that I have to read what you write. Please also remember that the (virtual, now) writing center is at your disposal if you run into trouble.

All papers should be typed, double-spaced, in either Times New Roman or Calibri font (11- or 12-point) with one-inch margins. Please also be sure to include page numbers.

CRJ 2100 Criminological Theory Dr. Burrington

4

**Papers are due to the Moodle Dropbox by 5:30 pm, Monday, April 6, 2020.** If you turn in your paper late, points will be subtracted from your paper grade; please see the policy on “Late Assignments” in the course syllabus.

Please note—I don’t have access to my campus office and may not for several weeks, so the office phone number is not the best way to reach me. If you have any questions, please let me know by sending me an email. We can also set up time to chat if you send me an email with your availability. It’s also okay to just run questions by me directly via email. Good luck!

Paper Checklist:

o Chose at least one theory and told me what the theory says o Analyzed whether your theory was illustrated by the events in the film, and gave

numerous examples to illustrate your points

o Wrote in a formal, academic tone o Checked spelling and grammar, and did not use contractions o Cited sources in the text and included a reference list o Used subject headings to organize your paper o Put page numbers on your paper o Used 11- or 12-point font (Times New Roman or Calibri) o Paper is 4-6 pages (a full 4 pages at a minimum) o Margins are no more than 1-inch all around o Put your name on your paper

CRJ 2100 Criminological Theory Dr. Burrington

5

CRJ 2100

Professor Burrington

Applying Criminological Theories: Grading Rubric

CONTENT 70 points

Introduction (5 points) out of 5

Somewhat unclear (-2)

Very unclear/no introduction (-5)

Description of Theory (25 points) out of 25

Partially incomplete/inaccurate (-6)

Substantially incomplete/inaccurate (-12)

Did not describe theory (-25)

Application of Theory (40 points) out of 40

Partially incomplete analysis, some examples not apt (-10)

Substantially incomplete analysis, many examples not apt (-20)

Did not apply theory (-40)

FORMAT/MECHANICS 30 points

Spelling/Grammar (15 points) out of 15

Mild errors (-3)

Moderate errors (-8)

Substantial errors (-15)

Page Length and Format (15 points) out of 15

Short by < 1 page; minor margin/font issues; no subject headings (-3)

Short by 1-2 pages; moderate margin/font issues (-8)

Short by > 2 pages; serious margin/font issues (-15)

TOTAL 100 points

Essay Total out of 100