● Select a specific medium to focus your term paper on (e.g., books, movies, documentaries, songs/albums, etc.). Your medium of choice should depict criminal behavior in some aspect. You can be creative!
a. Examples
i. 8 Ball Chicks by Gini Sikes (1997) – book
ii. Boyz n the Hood (1991) – movie
iii. Ready to Die by The Notorious B.I.G. (1994) – music album
iv. Born to Run (1975) or Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) by Bruce Springsteen – music albums
v. Ocean’s Eleven (2001) – movie
vi. Monster (2003) – movie
vii. Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer (2004) – book
viii. While the City Slept by Eli Sanders (2017) – book
ix. Crime documentaries on Netflix
- Amanda Knox
- Confessions with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes
- Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer
● Select ONE criminological theory (examples include Deterrence, Social Learning, Social Disorganization, etc.) learned in class this semester. DO NOT PICK a school of thought like Classical. This includes multiple theoretical perspectives, and is NOT a theory. You must describe this theory in detail. That is, what does the theory say about why people commit crime or join gangs?
● Provide depth in your discussion of the theory. That is, do not treat the review of the theory superficially. Demonstrate your detailed knowledge of the theory. This is an essential part of the paper. Devote some time to demonstrating your knowledge of the course content!
● You will need to use the material from your chosen medium as DATA. As you read/watch/listen, gather the information relevant to your criminological theory of choice. Take notes and create an index of important information to use in your paper. Use the stories/lyrics/quotes to demonstrate support for the criminological theory you have chosen.
● Find at least THREE peer reviewed journal articles relevant to your topic. These can be articles on theoretical developments regarding the chosen criminological theories or articles using criminological theory to explain the specific types of crimes described in your medium. Integrate these articles with your discussion of the theory and your chosen medium. These articles can provide greater depth into the theory you have chosen, the issues the crimes depicted in your medium, or preferably both.