Instructions
Describe and analyze a crime incident from the perspective of the major theoretical
definitions/conceptions in explaining the behavior of the actors, and in media reporting
of a crime incident in terms of the basic issues in defining and explaining crime. Your
professor must approve of your proposed crime incident. Accepted media sources
include reputable print media (newspapers, magazines), TV reporting (newscasts, news
shows such as 60 Minutes, Primetime, 20/20, etc.) and reputable items from the
internet. Remember the assignment calls for analysis of one specific criminal
event.
Format
Maximum pages: 12, double-spaced & typed in Times New Roman 12-point font with
normal margins (1” on top and bottom and 1 ¼ “ on left and right)
Due Date
DUE IN CLASS AND ELECTRONICALLY on July 25th. Papers are to be submitted
electronically on the course website under the assignments tab, AND to be handed in at
the end of the class on said date. Only papers that are submitted via both methods will be
graded. There is no provision for late papers except in the case of cases of illness or
death in the immediate family (documentation required). Late papers will be demoted
one-half grade per day. Turn in late work only to the instructor or with department
stamp, indicating date and time, to the instructor’s mailbox.
Academic honesty.
Students are expected to abide by the conditions and definitions set forth by the
university regarding academic honesty. This includes prohibiting cheating, plagiarism
and unauthorized collaboration. Students may view these definitions as well as the
policies for handling violations at the student judicial affairs website:
http://www.csueastbay.edu/academic/academic-policies/academic-dishonesty.html
CRJ 460 Crime Theory Summer 2019
Required Elements
1) Description of the incident.
Were there any discrepancies, changes in the description over time? This is narrative
description --be specific--what happened? Where? When? Look for inconsistencies
within the different media sources and contrast different sources. How are people
depicted (police, witnesses, victim, offender…)? Do the reports change in tenor with
different participants?
2) Assumptions and Definitions
What was assumed about the definition of crime? The nature of criminals? What was
said about the accused (background, personality, reputation)? About the victim? Others
involved? Was there any stereotyping? Consider the legal, polemical and empirical
definitions of crime.
3) Media Reporting
What has happened in the course of the investigation and the trial (if relevant to your
crime incident) as reported? Issues raised by significant parties (prosecution, defense,
police, politicians, community…)? Are there problems/concerns nested in these issues?
Merge the facts with the reporting analysis. Are there surprise tactics?
4) Theoretical Explanations
To what extent does each of the three major definitions/conceptions of crime help you to
understand: 1) why the crime occurred and 2) the criminalization process in this case?
5) Citations
In APA format on a separate reference page.
Sample Solution