PU Application of Rational Choice Theory to Correct Criminal Behavior Discussion

This paper is worth 100 points. It will consist of an in-depth consideration of a movie and its connection to a criminological theory. This paper should be between 3-5 pages. Your assignment must be submitted during the week it is assigned, and uploaded via the Canvas link. **I am available via email, during office hours, or we can schedule another time to chat if you’d like.** PART ONE: IDENTIFY THE THEORY (20 points) In this portion of the paper you should describe the theory that you have chosen. This is your opportunity to synthesize the theory, specify its mechanisms, main tenants, and explain what the theory is suggesting. Be sure to include the following: • Discussion of the underlying assumptions of the theory. Name, define, and provide examples of the constructs or principles associated with this theory. Again, be as detailed as possible. Make use of the correct terminology. • Describe how these theoretical constructs describe the cause of criminal behavior (i.e., what is the process through which the constructs lead to crime and deviance?). • Hint: This is where you should include information from at least two journal articles, see APA requirements below. PART TWO: CRITIQUING THE THEORY (20 points) • Discuss whether or not your chosen theory offers a good explanation of crime and deviance. In this portion you should answer the following questions: o Does the theoretical constructs adequately address causes of crime/delinquency? o What are the strengths of the theory? o What are the weaknesses of the theory? • Hint: This is where you should include information from at least two journal articles, see APA requirements below. PART THREE: APPLICATION OF THE THEORY (40 points) • In response to your synopsis and critique of your chosen theory you will apply the theory to a movie. You are to apply ONE theory of crime that we learned about this semester to a movie from the list below (or another movie that has been approved by me ahead of time). Ideally, you want to choose a movie whose character(s) engages in some form of illegal behavior. Additionally, you want a real person or fictional character(s) who has enough of a “back story” available for you to consider the reasons for his or her criminal behavior. • In this portion you should pay attention to the following: o Apply the tenants of the theory to the movie, its characters and their behaviors, and crime causation. o You are free to use any of the theories we will be talking about this semester—everything is fair game (deterrence theory, learning theories, control theories, etc.). • Movie List (or another movie that has been approved by me ahead of time) o Colors (1988) o Do the Right Thing (1989) o Scarface (1983) o A Clockwork Orange (1971) o Juice (1992) o Blow (2001) o Get Out (2017) o The Professional (1994) o Boyz n the Hood (1991) o Traffic (2000) o The Untouchables (1987) o Training Day (2001) o L.A. Confidential (1997) o Clockers (1995) o Monster (2003) o Pulp Fiction (1994) o The Outsiders (1983) o Heat (1995) o Hoodlum (1997) o A River Runs Through It (1992) o New Jersey Drive (1995) o Set It Off (1996) o Candyman (1992) o Murder at 1600 (1997) o Falling Down (1993) o Gangs of New York (2002) o Sleepers (1996) o A Time To Kill (1996) o Freedomland (2006) o Mystic River (2003) o Casino (1995) o Thelma & Louise (1991) o Menace II Society (1993) o Dead Presidents (1995) o Higher Learning (1995) o City of God (2002) • Do not simply select a movie from the list that you are familiar with or that you may own. Spend some time renting/streaming a few of them—read reviews and synopses if you have to (http://www.imdb.com or from Wikipedia), but treat this paper seriously. Essentially this is major part of your grade in the class. Finding a movie and applying theories will not be as easy as it may sound. Some will be better than others for this paper. ORGANIZATION AND FORMATTING (10 points): I will be assessing how well you organize your paper and adhere to the formatting requirements. The parts above make up the body of the paper, but you should include an introduction (tell me what you are going to do; what theory; what movie) and a conclusion (tell me what you did) (4 points). In terms of formatting (6 points), your paper should have a title page (including name and class), one-inch margins, double-spaced, times new roman, 12-point font, and please add page numbers. It should be approximately 3 to 5 pages in length — although I think it would be difficult to adequately do in 3 pages. SPELLING, GRAMMAR, AND READABILITY (10 points): Note that this is a FORMAL paper. I will be evaluating your communication of the material. Pay attention to spelling, correct use of verb tense, correct choice of words, contractions, and punctuation. I HIGHLY recommend proofreading your paper to avoid awkward and confusing sentences. There are few things more valuable to any career than strong writing skills. You will be required to have a work cited/reference page. Please include at least two journal articles in your response. Any information including the textbook, or other sources are cited per APA format. Please visit the following to decipher APA formatting: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/a… apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html (Links to an external site.). It is critical you properly cite in text and in the references page any material you paraphrase or quote. Please note that extensive quotes are discouraged. Copying from other sources constitutes plagiarism and you will be asked to submit your paper via Turnitin. The presence of plagiarism will result in a zero on this assignment.