Questions

Answer 3 of the 6 questions. Be sure to answer each question as completely as possible. Whenever possible, cite the relevant research to substantiate or illustrate the points made in the answers, in general, brief one-page answers are not sufficient to answer a question adequately. At least 2 pages are required for each question.

BE SURE TO ANSWER EACH PART OF THE QUESTION.

BE SURE TO WRITE ANSWERS IN YOUR OWN WORD/ DO NOT SIMPLY TAKE EXCERPTS AND USE IT FOR A RESPONSE

You may answer the questions in any order you wish. However, remember to clearly mark the question number on your answer to ensure that there is no confusion over which question you are answering. For example, if you label your answer “#1” then THE facilitator will assume it is your answer to question number 1, and grade it accordingly.

Answers must be typed, double-spaced with one-inch margins, using a 12-point font (preferably Times or Times New Roman).

Question 1

Talcott Parsons for over four decades dominated American sociology with his advocacy of structural functionalism. Parsons viewed society as a vast network of connected, interrelated parts, each of which contributes to the maintenance of the system (society) as a whole. As changes occur in one part of society, there must be adjustments in other parts of society to bring the system back into equilibrium.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in 2000 there were nearly 800,000 full-time sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. The police establishment has continued to grow while the crime rate for violent and property crimes has decreased. Specifically, BJS notes that the violent crime rate in 2005 reached its lowest level ever.

From a structural functionalist perspective, explain a raise in the police establishment at a time when crime has decreased.

Question 2

Describe the criminal justice system through the eyes of a structural functionalist. Be sure to include in your answer a discussion of the police, courts, and corrections.

Question 6

There are both formal and informal mechanisms of social control. Most of the discussions and readings have focused on the law as a formal mechanism of social control. What role does informal social control play in our criminal justice system? Is it effective?