Potential Topic Areas Include Topic Is Book Revie

Learning Objectives

The purpose of this assignment is for students to:

Develop more specific knowledge of a gang-related topic

Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of a specific gang related topic

Develop their research and written communication skills

Apply knowledge of criminological theory and gang-related research to explain individual gang involvement

Description

For this assignment, students will write a 5-8 page paper (not including references, title page, etc.) on a topic related to gangs. Papers may take one of the following three forms:

• Book Review
  • For this option, students will write a review of an academic book related to gangs. In general, the review should (1) summarize the important points and arguments made by the author(s), (2) identify the contribution(s) that the book makes to existing knowledge on and/or practice with gangs, and (3) provide a critique (e.g. personal observations, recommendations, strengths/weaknesses, target audience) of the book. Direct quotes should not be used in the paper.
• Gang Response
  • For this option, students may interview an individual who works with gangs or gang members in any setting (e.g. law enforcement, corrections, social services, gang intervention). The paper should discuss the nature of the work the individual does with gangs as well as the strategies, program(s) and/or service(s) that are used in their line of work. The paper should also discuss the rationale behind these strategies/programs/services (i.e. why is this program/service/strategy expected to work?), how success is determined, and whether existing research suggests this program/strategy/service is effective or will be effective.
• Life Course
  • For this option, students may interview a current or former gang member and apply course content to explain that individual’s involvement in gangs. The paper should discuss the life course of the gang member (e.g. early life before joining, life while gang-involved, life following gang involvement) and the extent to which interview responses (dis)agree with existing literature on gang involvement. The paper should also apply criminological theory to explain the individual’s criminal behavior and gang involvement.

Each of the paper options will require drawing on academic literature on gangs. Only scholarly sources may be used for the paper. All papers should be double-spaced, 1-inch margins on all sides, and be in 12-point Times New Roman Font. All references and citations should follow APA formatting. Headings and sub-headings, if used, should also follow APA style. Other elements of APA style, including title page, abstract, running header, etc. should NOT be included. This assignment will be submitted in two parts as described below. Please submit each part of this assignment as a Word or PDF document. If you use a Mac or a program other than Microsoft Word, then please submit your assignment in an alternative file format. Assignments with .pages and .gdoc extensions cannot be opened in Blackboard. Students who submit assignments in these formats may experience a delay in grading.

Topic & References

For this first part of this assignment, students will submit a brief description (1-2 paragraphs) of the paper topic(s) and list the references for the journal articles and/or book that you intend to use in APA format. This part of the assignment is due on Blackboard by November 5^th, at 11:59pm.

For Book Reviews

Students are free to select any academic book related to gangs (e.g. youth, street, prison, motorcycle). Some suggested titles include:

Code of the Street by E. Anderson

Gang Leader for a Day by S. Venkatesh

Gangsters without Borders by T. W. Ward

The Social Order of the Underworld by D. Skarbek

Gang Cop by M. W. Klein

Barrio Gangs by J. D. Vigil

A Rainbow of Gangs by J. D. Vigil
Gangs and the Military by C. F. Smith

Gang Life in Two Cities by R. Duran

A World of Gangs by J. Hagedorn

People and Folks by J. Hagedorn

How Gangs Work by J. Densley

Life in the Gang by S. Decker & B Van Winkle

Students who select this option should consult the following sources about how to write a book review:

http://www.wendybelcher.com/writing-advice/how-to-write-book-review/

https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/book-reviews/

Topic submissions should describe the major sections that will be included in the book review.

For Gang Response Papers

Students should identify the topic areas that will be addressed in the interview & paper. Potential topic areas include the program/service/strategy that is used by the interviewee, how success is measured, the effectiveness of the program/service/strategy, and challenges in this line of work. Students should provide the name, position title, level of experience, and organization of the interviewee.

Students who select this option should include references for 3-5 scholarly journal articles about topics that will be covered in the interview and discussed in the paper.

For Life Course Papers

Students should identify the topic areas that will be addressed in the interview & paper. Potential topic areas include “pushes” & “pulls” for gang involvement, theoretical explanations for gang involvement, and desistance from gang involvement. Students should also provide an alias for their interviewee as well as their age, gender, race/ethnicity, and city in which they are/were active. DO NOT use the individual’s real name or any specific identifying information.

Students who select this option should include references for 3-5 scholarly journal articles about topics that will be covered in the interview and discussed in the paper.