Social Construction of a Criminal Justice Issue (Analysis Paper) | Graded

Directions:

This assignment requires that you select an issue in Criminal Justice and Media and analyze it in terms of social construction through the issue’s depictions in the media. The content must be supported by valid academic research, and that research must be properly cited.

Focus on content, not creativity. Follow the rubric and present the concepts required. This is not, for instance, research on police brutality. This is, perhaps, research on the social construction of police brutality (or some other topic), and the product should reflect that. Chapter 2 will be a great resource.

Examples

• Depictions of law enforcement in entertainment media
• Social construction of crime and race
• Media treatment of white-collar crime
• Television news coverage of violent crime
• Social media depictions of police, courts/lawyers, or criminals

Parameters

• Must cite any outside sources used
• A minimum of 2,000 words
• Double-spaced, New Times Roman, 12-point type
• This assignment is worth up to 150 points
• Please note that you may not rewrite or resubmit a paper from a prior class. This will result in a grade of zero. All papers will be submitted to Turnitin.com. APA style and documentation is required. Up to 10 percent (15 points on this assignment) will be deducted from your work if you did not properly cite and document your source(s)
• Refer to An EasyGuide to APA Style, 2nd edition, for guidance on APA style and format
• Please review the paper rubric for details on how a paper is graded
• The paper is due no later than Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Plagiarism

You are expected to write primarily in your own voice, using paraphrase, summary, and synthesis techniques when integrating information from class and outside sources. Use an author’s exact words only when the language is especially vivid, unique, or needed for technical accuracy. Failure to do so may result in charges of academic dishonesty.

Overusing an author’s exact words, such as including block quotations to meet word counts, may lead your readers to conclude that you lack appropriate comprehension of the subject matter or that you are neither an original thinker nor a skillful writer.

Rubric

Social Construction of a Criminal Justice Issue (Analysis Paper) RubricSocial Construction of a Criminal Justice Issue (Analysis Paper) RubricCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a learning outcomeAnalysis50 PtsStrongConducts a thorough analysis of the chosen topic. Analyzes that topic through the social construction lens, focusing on the media depictions of the related issues.40 PtsAverageConducts a thorough analysis of the chosen topic. Analyzes the media’s depictions mostly through the lens of social construction.25 PtsBelow AverageConducts an analysis of the chosen topic, but lacks attention of the issue’s social construction.15 PtsWeakAnalysis is incomplete. Little to no attention is given to the issue’s social construction.50 pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeOrganization30 PtsStrongPaper clearly lays out the topic and subtopics analyzed; it is strongly organized, with transitions linking all topics.25 PtsAverageTopics and subtopics are well organized and linked with clear transitions.20 PtsBelow AverageTopics and subtopics are linked but may be poorly organized; student attempts to provide transitions.15 PtsWeakNot logically organized and lacks transitions between sentences and paragraphs.30 pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeReferences30 PtsStrongAt least half of sources are peer-reviewed and professional research. Extensive effort to locate scholarly work is apparent. At least eight sources are used. Current APA rules are followed.25 PtsAverageSources include peer-reviewed or other professional sources. Effort to locate scholarly work is apparent. At least seven sources are used. Current APA rules are followed.20 PtsBelow AverageSources are not peer-reviewed but are generally acceptable. Effort to locate scholarly work is apparent. At least five sources are used. Some APA errors may be present.15 PtsWeakSources are nonexistent or not considered scholarly in nature. Cited sources are not used in the body or are mismatched. Fewer than five sources are used. APA errors are present.30 pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeWord Count20 PtsStrongMinimum of 2,000 words, but not exceeding 3,000 words.15 PtsAverageLess than 2,000 words, but more than 1,600 words.10 PtsBelow AverageLess than 1,600 words.5 PtsWeakLess than 1,400 words.20 pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeGrammar/Formatting20 PtsStrongNo spelling or grammatical errors. Format is consistent throughout.15 PtsAverageGrammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors occur rarely. Format is consistent throughout.10 PtsBelow AverageFew grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors occur in the paper and do not interfere with the analysis. Format has some inconsistencies.5 PtsWeakGrammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors significantly interfere with the analysis. Formatting is inconsistent.20 pts
Total points: 150