Introduction to Criminal Justice
SOC200
Each of the following assignments has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to
develop more in-depth knowledge about some aspect of the criminal justice system. You are
asked to complete one of the following options.
Option 1--Position Paper
Few subjects in American life are as controversial as that of crime control. Each step in the
criminal justice system is faced with a number of difficult issues about which the public and
practitioners are often at odds. In your text, Sense and Nonsense about Crime and Drugs, Samuel
Walker often offers his opinion about whether a crime policy will be effective in reducing crime.
In this assignment, you should investigate one of the statements made by Walker to see if your
reading of the evidence is similar to his. The paper should include four main parts:
1. A clear definition of Walker’s position and the reasons he gives for holding it. (Note:
there is a list of his propositions on pages xviii to xx).
2. A review of the evidence Walker uses to support his position, i.e., try to find some of the
studies that he uses to make his case (use his endnotes to find these).
3. Go to the library, use the internet, or Infotrac to find at least two empirical studies not
used by Walker.
4. State whether you think Walker’s view is correct in light of the evidence you have read.
Some cautions. First, some of Walker’s propositions are too vague to either prove or disprove.
Stay away from them. Second, in finding studies, rely on those found in social science and
criminological journals or at reputable internet sites such as the National Criminal Justice
Reference Service (NCJRS). Do not rely upon popular magazines such as Time, Newsweek, etc.
as your primary sources. Keep in mind that information on the internet is not always of high
quality. To help you avoid these pitfalls, you should hand in to me a copy of the proposition you
will be studying no later than Mar. 5. I am also more than happy to help you find references so
check with me on them.
You must cite your references using a consistent style. You must also include a list of all
references in a bibliography.
It is my estimate that an assignment such as this will take approximately 5 double-spaced, typed
pages. However, this is a guide rather than an absolute minimum. Papers are due May2. Late
papers will be penalized one point for each class day that they are late up to one letter grade.
Option 2--Class Presentation or Debate
Team up with one or more other members of the class and prepare a debate on some aspect of
crime policy. The point of the assignment is to educate yourselves and your classmates about the
issue rather than “winning” the debate. You will be required to hand in your notes and a
bibliography at the end of the presentation. All those wishing to do this option must get approval
from me before Feb. 26
Option 3--Analysis of an experience
You can observe or participate in some aspect of the system (e.g. a police ride along, attendance
at a trial, tour of a correctional facility, experience as a volunteer in the CJS). You should then
analyze in writing this experience by comparing your observations with what you read about the
topic in your texts and other written sources. It is a good idea to do some research on the topic
before you are involved in the experience so that you have some ideas what to look for. Keep in
mind that a paper like this is somewhat out of your control because some agencies are reluctant
to give access to students or there is a waiting list to participate in an experience. Therefore, I
recommend that you start early. As in project one, you must cite all sources and include them in
a bibliography. Review the attached guidelines.
The paper should be typed and should be about 5 pages long. I must approve all projects in
advance. Papers are due May 2. Late papers will be penalized one point for each class day that
they are late up to one letter grade.
Option 4--Media Analysis
Your assignment here is to maintain a folder or notebook in which you will include newspaper or
magazine articles related to criminal justice. Students completing this assignment should:
1.
find at least six newspaper or magazine articles dealing with criminal justice. In selecting
the articles make sure that they deal with crime control and not crime causation.
Examples of appropriate articles include: stories about issues or controversies related to
criminal justice, editorials about criminal justice in the newspaper, or newspaper coverage
of how various political candidates deal with crime.
2.
in your folder, include the article and your reaction to it. Reactions should be
approximately one typed page. In it, you need to connect the topic in the media account
with something that you have learned in the course. For example, you might critique a
newspaper’s editorial on crime in light of what you’ve learned in class. It is important to
demonstrate mastery of course material in the reactions. Do not just summarize the
articles. One implication is that you may not wish to analyze an article about a topic until
we have covered that topic in class.
You should turn in the first two analyses on April 11. The remaining four are due on May 9.
Late assignments will be docked one point per class up to one letter grade. Note: I will be
grading this assignment in terms of 1) your ability to incorporate (not necessarily agree with)
ideas from class; 2) the variety of ideas included; and 3) the sophistication with which you do
your analysis. Your first two entries will be worth 5 points each. The final four will be worth 10
points each.
Option 5--Create your own assignment
If none of the above options interests you, you can suggest an assignment to me that does. If you
plan to do this, start early. All proposals for individualized assignments are due before Feb. 26.