law

For your final, you will write a 4-5 page paper answering the following questions:

What should your community (neighborhood/city/etc.) do to reduce crime?

What are the theoretical foundations of these strategies/policies/programs?

The purpose of this assignment is to showcase your in-depth understanding of the theories that we have studied this term and your understanding of their policy/program implications. The focus of this class has been on criminological theories. Please do not only focus on the first question!

For example, you could argue that King County should ban the box on housing and job applications and then explain how banning the box draws on labeling theory, which states that when people are labeled as criminal they may have less opportunities available to them and may resort to criminal behavior. Or, you could argue that the Washington should seek to ensure that everyone who breaks the law is caught and punished quickly and then explain how this draws on ideas of rational choice, which states that people choose to commit crimes and that if there is a quick, certain and proportional deterrent (punishment), fewer people will commit crimes.

I would recommend focusing on 1-3 policies/programs. I wouldn’t recommend going over 3 because I don’t know if you’ll have enough space.

I purposefully made this assignment about “your community” and you are welcome to understand that phrase in whatever way you want to. You could write about your neighborhood, city, the State of Washington, or a non-geographical community, such as Highline. You are the expert – no need to do additional research, unless you want to. I look forward to learning from you! 

Length/Format: The paper should be 4-5 pages, double-spaced in 12 point font. It should use an APA citation style.

Subject Specifics:  Your paper must show a thorough understanding of how criminological theory relates to your recommended policies/programs.

Content: look to see that you have incorporated the following in the paper itself:

• A specific and defined thesis 
• A fully developed introduction, body, and conclusion. Please use sub-headings to help organize your paper. Refer to the suggested outline for your paper below.
• Documentation of sources cited using APA style in the body and the Works Cited page
• No typos, careless errors, or proofreading mistakes that decrease credibility

Suggested Outline for your Paper

You do not need to use this sample outline, but I would recommend reading through it carefully, so that you can get a sense of what I am hoping you will cover in your paper.

Introduction – brief introduction to the topic, why does it matter? End with your argument (thesis).

• Why were you drawn to this topic? Why is it important?
• What is the community that you are 
• End with your thesis:
  • I believe that my community (for example, Highline) should do X, Y, and Z to reduce crime. (Please note – you are welcome to only focus on one type of program/strategy! I wouldn’t recommend choosing more than three.)

Background information about your community (for example Highline)

• What have you noticed to be big crime problems for this community?

Explanation of your first policy/program proposal

• What would this policy/program proposal look like? Are you advocating for longer sentences? More mentoring? Job programs? Cleaning up graffiti? 
• What theoretical foundation does this policy/program proposal come out of? Is it labeling theory? Rational choice? Psychopathy? Social disorganization?
  • Please make sure that you give a thorough explanation of the theory! Explain fully what the theory means. Is there evidence to support it? Is it a psychological theory, sociological etc.?
• Might there be limitations of this policy/program proposal?

Explanation of your second policy/program proposal (if necessary)

• What would this policy/program proposal look like? Are you advocating for longer sentences? More mentoring? Job programs? Cleaning up graffiti? 
• What theoretical foundation does this policy/program proposal come out of? Is it labeling theory? Rational choice? Psychopathy? Social disorganization?
  • Please make sure that you give a thorough explanation of the theory! Explain fully what the theory means. Is there evidence to support it? Is it a psychological theory, sociological etc.?
• Might there be limitations of this policy/program proposal?

Explanation of your third policy/program proposal (if necessary)

• What would this policy/program proposal look like? Are you advocating for longer sentences? More mentoring? Job programs? Cleaning up graffiti? 
• What theoretical foundation does this policy/program proposal come out of? Is it labeling theory? Rational choice? Psychopathy? Social disorganization?
  • Please make sure that you give a thorough explanation of the theory! Explain fully what the theory means. Is there evidence to support it? Is it a psychological theory, sociological etc.?
• Might there be limitations of this policy/program proposal?

Conclusion – re-state your argument

• Remind the reader of your overall argument (thesis) again.
• Do you think that there are any reasons why these policy/program suggestions could not be implemented?