Criminal Justice Term Paper

CJ213D: Introduction to Criminal Justice Justice and Pop Culture (70 points)

Due: Wednesday, March 4 at the beginning of the class period

Expected page length for this assignment: 5-6 pages

For this assignment, you will examine the actions of a superhero such as Superman, Batman, or others depicted in stand-alone comic books or movies. As we have discussed, criminal law should be applied to everyone equally. Does this principle hold true in the superhero comic books/movies? This assignment examines whether “crime” committed by a superhero is justifiable and why diversity lacks in superhero stories.

Superhero comic books/movies have long been enjoyed by American adolescents and young adults and have helped them develop a sense of justice. But, wait a minute. What is justice? Is it universal justice or skewed justice? What have superheroes done to save the world, community, or a specific person? Isn’t there a double standard? In this assignment, you are required to critically examine the actions taken by the superheroes. Choose a comic book or movie published/released after 2000. Be sure to use proper in-text citation.

1. Identify and describe the main character including why/how he/she became a superhero and how he/she came to commit crimes, such as destroying buildings and killing his enemies. Also, analyze this superhero based on their physical characteristics, mindset, age, race, gender, origin, family, personality, values, superpower, etc. You may use any source for the superhero’s background search but cite the information properly. (6 points)
2. Summarize the story of the comic book or movie you have chosen (2 pages minimum). Remember, you are required to describe the story to your readers who have not read the comic or watched the film. Do not copy and paste from the Internet. Describe the story based on your interpretation in your own words. (8 points)
3. Who is a villain? How is he/she depicted in the comic/movie? Analyze this evil person/alien based on their physical characteristics, mindset, origin, personality, values, etc. These are just examples to get you started. You are required to examine this character thoroughly. You may use any source for the superhero’s background search but cite the information properly. (6 points)
4. Was the villain killed/vanished/injured? Was the superhero arrested and punished? If yes, describe the process the superhero has gone through. If not, how did the story end? Be sure to use proper in-text citation. (4 points)
5. If the villain is treated under the current U.S. criminal justice system, what might be the likely outcomes for him/her? In addition, if the superhero attempted to take care of the vice caused by the villain on his own, what might happen in our criminal justice system? To answer these, be sure to use your class notes and cite them properly. (4 points)
6. Find one opposite sex superhero/heroine to the one you chose and answer the first question above (Q1). You do not have to find the opposite sex superhero in the source

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you chose. Just pick the opposite sex superhero/heroine for this question. Be sure to point out three differences between the superhero and super-heroine focusing on“gender” perspectives. Explain why such differences are from gender. In other words, what gender-based perceptions might have caused these differences? You may use any source for the superhero’s background search but cite the information properly. (8 points)

1. In the myriad of superhero comic books and films, the racial identity of those superheroes has been stereotypical. Although such issue intersects with other social markers (e.g. gender, sexual orientation, SES, religion, disabilities, etc), comic books and movies may send a wrong message about different treatment of certain racial groups as it plays in our justice system. In contemporary and diverse society, why do we still see stereotypical superheroes in comic books and movies? Discuss fully using at least one scholarlysource (books, peer-reviewed journal articles, or government websites) and cite the source properly. Also, how could we promote more diverse or new type of superheroes/heroines? (12 points)
2. Do we need a superhero in our society? Who is the superhero to you in the real-world? Why? Explain. (4 points)
3. Why is the deed done by the superhero justified? We have discussed the concept that the punishment must fit the crime. Why isn’t this core principle applied to the superhero? What is justice? Is justice the same as innocence? Has justice been brought to society? Was punishment given to the offenders equally? Do you think this is fair? What was the best way for the superhero to manage the problem in the comic book you read? What could he have done differently? Do superhero comic books send a wrong message about crime to adolescents? Should we condone such storylines that create a gap between fiction and the reality? What is the raison d'être of superhero comic books? Discuss and defend your position. (12 points)
4. Be sure to follow a standard paper format/structure. (4 points)
5. Attach a reference page. (2 points)

Checklist:

1. Your paper must be typed and double-spaced in Times New Roman 12-point font with one-inch margins (it might be a good idea to set this as your default).
2. Proofread your paper. Although points will not be deducted for spelling and grammatical errors, points will be deducted if I cannot fully understand your thought process.
3. Organize your answer and synthesize the reading.
4. Assume that your readers are the general audience! Explain thoroughly using sources.
5. Cite all materials you used properly in an ASA style. Any citation violation will
   result in a zero.