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Essay Instructions: Deviance Biography


To get you thinking about the causes of criminal behavior you are going to write a deviance biography that attempts to explain the behavior of a person that you know.

According to self-report studies, almost everyone has at one time or another committed an act that is considered illegal or at the very least deviant. But as we know some people do this at a much greater extent than others and are involved in much more serious events than others. The purpose of this paper is for you to write a deviancy biography. Describe the criminal, delinquent and antisocial behavior (or lack thereof) of someone you know (please do not use real names). How involved was the person? How serious was their behavior? When did it start? When did it stop? After you have described their involvement you must discuss two or three factors that you believed explain their behavior and/or changes in their behavior.

Some criminologists ask ?why don?t people commit crime, ?this means that you can write a biography on someone who has never been involved in crime or deviance and explain why.

Make sure spelling and grammar is error free!!! Also the book that the class is using to find some factors is the Second edition of Criminological Theory Past to Present by F. Cullen and R. Agnew.

Tell a little a bit about their life growing up that might of lead or maybe not to crime. Please make sure deal with crimes that are deviant. I mentioned one- two citied sources can include the book I mention and the person (make-up name) if you are quoting what they told you.



If you need more time e-mail me to let me know!!

Essay Instructions: Deviance. Proposition: The main purpose of a prison sentence should be reforming the offender.

Regardless of the topic you choose, start your research with your texts. Review all the material relevant to your selected topic in your main text, Sociology: the Basics, and your reader, Seeing Ourselves.
Next, expand your view of the issue by tracking down sources beyond the text, using the following resources:

Topic 2: Deviance. Begin by reviewing Chapter 7, “Deviance,” beginning on page 170. Here, your focus might center on “The U.S. Criminal Justice System” (page 192). You may also find it useful to backtrack to Chapter 3 to think anew about the topic
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Research Project
of resocialization. In Seeing Ourselves, read “On Being Sane in Insane Places,” beginning on page 144, and “The Code of the Streets,” starting on page 157.
To reach beyond these sources to gather information on actual conditions within the U.S. prison system, you can start with the following resources:
http://www.urban.org/uploadedpdf/411952_PSE_FINAL 5_29_09_webedited.pdf
n Read “The Effects of Postsecondary Correctional Education: Final Report” by entering this link into your Web browser: (Hint: The term recidivism refers to the rate at which incarcerated persons are returned to prison after being released.)
http://www.forbes.com/2006/04/15/prison-jeffrey-ross_cx_jr_06slate_0418ross.html
n An opinion piece on Forbes’ Web site will give you a slant on the dysfunctions of the U.S. prison system. Access “Jailhouse Blues” at the following site:

Process
The components of your research paper must include n A cover sheet
n The body of your paper (your five paragraphs) n An endnotes page that cites the works and sources
you’ve used to write your paper

Developing the Body of Your Paper
Use this pattern to develop a first draft of your research/ opinion paper:
1. State your claim.
2. Present your evidence for that claim.
3. Consider objections to your claim and refute those objections.
4. Conclude your paper.
Now that you have a topic and have a strategy in mind, organize your thoughts in an outline similar to this one:
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Topic and opinion
B. Reason why you chose this topic (Note: Your reason must be different from your opinion.)
II. FIRST CLAIM RELATED TO YOUR MAIN THESIS A. Statement
B. Researched support for the statement
C. Objections and refutations based on your research III. SECOND CLAIM RELATED TO YOUR MAIN THESIS
A. Statement B. Researched support for the statement C. Objections and refutations based on your research
IV. THIRD CLAIM RELATED TO YOUR MAIN THESIS A. Statement
B. Researched support for the statement
C. Objections and refutations based on your research V. CONCLUSION
A. Restatement of the topic B. Restatement of the main ideas



Citing Your Sources
Because you’re writing a term paper, you may include your own ideas and experience. However, because you must refute the objections to claims you make in your paper, you must also use at least two citations from either your text, Sociology: the Basics, or your supplemental reader, Seeing Ourselves. You should also use two or more Internet or print sources.
Keep in mind that your Internet sources must be both appro- priate and credible. Make sure your sources actually speak to your paper’s premise. Always establish a Web site’s academic credibility based on the author(s) and the stated provenance (Web site publisher), such as a recognized academic or research institution.
To avoid plagiarism, use sources properly by summarizing, paraphrasing, and using direct quotes for the material you use in your paper.
n To summarize material, rewrite it in your own words without looking at the original quote. Assuming you’re familiar with the material, simply rely on your memory of what you’ve read.
n To paraphrase, write the original in such a way that it uses some words from the source, carefully reorganized to retain the spirit of the quote. You must refer to the original source when paraphrasing.
n For direct quotes, use the author’s words exactly, enclos- ing them in quotation marks.
Remember: You must give credit to the original source.
Formatting
Format your paper using a standard font, such as Times New Roman, 12 point. Set the margins at the standard 1 inch on all sides. The standard style format for research papers in sociology is the American Psychological Association (APA) Manual of Style. A quick introduction to the APA style is at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01. However, please note that you won’t be expected to prepare an APA-style cover sheet, Abstract, or Key Words. Instead,
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Research Project
you’ll simply follow the formatting instructions for creating the school’s required cover sheet and page header. However, within the body of your paper, you should use APA-style centered headings for the three main parts of your paper, which are the
n Introduction n Research paper title (for example, “Restoring the
American Dream” or “Families Can’t Do It Alone”) n Conclusion
Here’s an example of the APA norm for citing sources within the body of your paper: “According to Durkheim (1897), anomie is the most common source of suicidal acts by adults.”
On your Works Cited page, you’ll list your sources in alphabet- ical order according to the lead author of a source, indenting the supplemental information.
For more information on APA formatting, visit the following Web sites:
n Overview and workshop: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/664/01
n APA formatting and style guide: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01
n Documenting electronic sources: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10
n Examples of in-text citations and reference pages: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/03
Page Header
Each page of your paper must include a header. Your word processing software will help you figure out how to do that. Here’s what should be included in your header:
n Name, flush left n Page number, centered n Project number (05011700), flush right

Essay Instructions: Deviance and Social control ??" Writing Assignment

The documentary, “Bastards of the Party,” examines gangs in Los Angeles. Among the documentary’s many strengths is its historical perspective. The filmmaker is asking what factors, over a long period of time, contributed to the emergence of African-American gangs in Los Angeles.

You can watch the film online at:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=#
or Google: “Bastards of the Party” and it will come up on video.google.com

The assignment is to apply one theory, or a combination of theories and concepts (for example, subcultures), we’ve discussed in class to analyze the emergence, development, evolution and culture of Los Angeles gangs as presented in the documentary. The essay should not be a description of what “happens” in the film (e.g., first, African Americans migrated to Los Angeles, then they were treated bad, then gangs formed to protect themselves, then the Watts riot occurred, then the Black Panther party emerged, etc.). An analysis strives to develop a thesis to explain how and why.

The main theories of deviance and social control that are applicable include (but are not exhaustive):

a. Structural Strain and Anomie Theory; might include “Goals/Means Gap” and Cloward and Ohlin’s “Illegitimate Means and Delinquent Subcultures.”
What social structural conditions compelled young black men in Los Angeles to form/join gangs? Consider economic conditions, racism, blocked legitimate opportunities/illegitimate opportunities.
b. Social Learning Theory; this may include Hirschi’s Social Control Theory.
Socialization is a fundamental factor in this approach. How did the social conditions of African Americans in Los Angeles impact socialization of young black men? You can consider any or all of of the decades examined in the film.
c. Conflict Theory ??" any or combination of different versions.
Consider the power and relations in Los Angeles. How did/does the “white power structure” treat African Americans, from the 1940s through to the present (social control)? Consider segregation, the police, economic downturn, etc. What was response of black community in Los Angeles, especially the different generations of young people?
d. Labeling Theory (may include Stigma and Development of Self)
Throughout the film institutionalized racism (systematic racism through social institutions ??" economic, political, etc.) is demonstrated; and labeling and its outcomes of exclusion and treatment of “deviants” is a major aspect of racism. How and why did racism and labeling contribute to emergence and development of early and later forms of black gangs in Los Angeles?

To Repeat: These are just some of the ways of approaching and analyzing the film. Use your imagination and interest in devising your own approach.

In a short paper it is impossible to discuss every aspect covered in the film, or every theoretical model that contributes to explaining the social issue. I recommend that you focus on a particular aspect or factor, and theory(s) and concepts that help explain that aspect.

Your discussion should include a specific explanation of the theory(s) and concepts you are using. When appropriate, use examples from the documentary.

Your discussion should be based on, and reference, not only the film but course material ??" the textbook and relevant handout readings.

Format
1. 3-5 pages, typed. This does not include title or references pages.
2. Essay format
3. Double spaced, 12 point font
4. Paginate (number the pages)
5. Correct citation of readings, quotes, etc. ??" I will deduct points.
a. In text of essay, cite source of information/evidence: for example (Thio 2009,210)
b. You must include a Reference page, with full citation of sources referenced in text of essay.
6. Spell and grammar check ??" I will deduct points
7. Above all ??" don’t plagiarize! For information on plagiarism, as well as when and how to properly cite sources, go to the UHD library webpage.

Essay Instructions: Deviance and Crime

Acts that are considered deviant are not necessarily criminal acts. An act need not break the law to be considered deviant. A deviant act is simply any act that violates the accepted norms of the community, regardless of whether it breaks the law. For example, wearing a t-shirt with a curse word could be considered deviant to some, but due to the First Amendment, the words on the t-shirt itself wouldn't be criminal. Individuals motivated by deviant behavior tend to commit acts that are perceived as breaking societal norms.

There continues to be a debate on the role of law enforcements in addressing deviance and crime. Discuss how the following should be addressed by law enforcement and determine if the act should be considered deviance or a crime:

?Letting your eight-year-old son go to school dressed as a girl

?Committing suicide

?Stealing bread and milk for your hungry children

?Getting married at 16 to a 70-year-old man

?Having a child at 14

?Being openly polygamous

Do you agree with the viewpoint that it's not law enforcements' role to police deviant acts and only focus on crimes committed against society?

Please add your references in APA. Thank you.