Choose a theories of criminal behavior
Assignments: (Learning Objective) Students will write a 500 word paper social process theories and submit the written final exam.
Reading:
Review Chapters 5-9 in the textbook that critiques the Criminal Case Analysis Project
Step I –Picking a Criminal This project will pnini,,Qi-gy learning about in tins class to exp involve the use of the theoretical models of crime we are le g criminal to be the subject of your analysis. It is co on to pick notorious killers likeDavid lain the criminal behavior of a specific person. Begin a search.fora Berkowitz “Son of Sam” or Jeffery Dahmer, but the most important criteria is to use someone that there is a great deal of information on regarding their “life story!’
Step 2 – Researching the Subjects Life History Read as much about the subject as possible and generate a written summary of all the important events in that person’s life. The more sources of information you use, the better.
Step 3 Choosing Theories of Criminal Behavior Once you are familiar with your subject’s life history, the theories that best explain why they involved nvolved in criminal behavior should become obvious. Since many of the theories that we learn about overlap, it is not uncommon to find more than one that fits the pattern of your subject’s life. You should collectively pick the three theories from our textbook that best explain why the subject became a criminal.
Step 4 Writing the Research Report Your Criminal Case Analysis report should contain four major subsections that should be labeled as follows: The Criminal Behavior – In this section you should describe the crimes committed by your subject. Subject’s Life History – In this section you should describe the major life events of your subject, with special emphasis on those details that are directly relevant to explaining why this person became a criminal.
Theories of Criminal Behavior – In this section, you should carefully describe the three theories of criminal behavior from our course textbook that you will be using to explain why the persons committed the crime(s) described above. Theoretical Application to the Subject’s Life History – This most important and difficult section applies the theories of criminal behavior you have chosen to the subject’s life history in an attempt to explain the biological, psychological, or social forces that influenced the subject’s criminal career.
Step 5 – The Presentation On the ldesignated class, you will present their findings. You will have 15 minutes to present. A L: Power Point presentation is suggested.
