Critical Analysis for Crime in Society

Due by 11:59pm on Wednesday, November 18 (Week 10)
Submitted on Blackboard via the Assignment Submission Link

The assignment asks students to explore claims and demands about ‘crime’, ‘criminality’, systemic racism, and society made in 2020 by protest movements. It asks students to analyze these claims using at least one criminological theory discussed in this course. Importantly, consider whether the theory aligns with and supports claims of the protest movement or whether it counters them. What are some implications of this synergy / difference? The assignment aims to provide students with the opportunity to explore and to critically analyze the relationship between the social world that they inhabit and course themes / issues.

To ascertain claims and demands made by the protest movements, you might explore content in news media – be sure to look at multiple news sources to help develop a broad understanding. You might also consider exploring arguments made on the websites of organizations such as Black Lives Matter and in statements by spokespersons.

You’re welcome to examine the issues in Canada, in the United States, or both. If you’re exploration includes the American context, here’s one recent report that might be helpful. It’s entitled “Racial Disparities in the Massachusetts Criminal System” published by Harvard Law School in September 2020. You don’t need to look at the report in its entirety but sections (such as the Executive Summary) might offer helpful insights. http://cjpp.law.harvard.edu/assets/Massachusetts-Racial-Disparity-Report-FINAL.pdf

Keep in mind that writing short papers can be more difficult than writing long ones as they require you to distil assumptions, ideas and large amounts of information. Think about your ideas and what you want to say. Do not be repetitive and avoid ‘filler’. Make sure everything you say is significant and contributes to the overall flow of your paper.

Goals of the Critical Reflection Paper
· To provide students with an opportunity to concisely and precisely “put theory into practice,” by using course content to examine real life occurrence.

· To provide students an opportunity to use theory, ideas and language from the course, and this will assist with preparation for the final exam.

Assignment Expectations
Students should prepare an essay 5-7 pages in length, not including the cover page and the reference list. Papers should be double-spaced with 12-point font and 1” margins, and include the following:

· Cover / title page, reference list and page numbers

· APA formatted citations and references

· At least one course reading

· At least one learning module or interactive lecture

· At least one scholarly source from outside the course.

You may go over the page limit, but only by a maximum of one (1) additional page. Longer papers will not be read in full.