TO: Students in CJ 141
FROM: R. B. Taylor
DATE: 11/22/00 [DO NOT START WORK ON THIS BEFORE 11/22 - assignment may be changed]
RE: Assignment for paper 3
DUE: 11/6/00 FORMAT: typed, double spaced; SSN only on EACH PAGE; Excluding the references, no more than THREE pages
   We have spent a considerable fraction of the course considering factors that affect both how the victim feels about the criminal justice system, what the system can do to affect that, and factors affecting how well the victim copes with the victimization event itself, or how well indirect victims cope with things like unexpected loss.
   The program described by Mary Atlas serves the indirect victims of homicide: those who are left behind.
   The paper assignment has three different parts.
   First, describe two specific activities that are carried out by the Families of Murder Victim program. Suggested guideline: about a half a page.
   Second, describe, using specific readings that we have covered in this course, or specific materials that we have covered in class, the theoretical reasons why these program elements should be helpful to indirect victims. In other words, what is the theory behind the program. You need to use at least two specific references either to class material or to readings. The reading on the buffering hypothesis is obviously relevant. The class lecture material on reactions of family members to unexpected loss (the original article is Lehman et al.), the impacts of victimization on psychological assumptions (original article by Janoff-Bulman), and lecture material on social support is all extremely relevant. If you missed those lectures you might want to get the notes from a classmate. Suggested guideline: about a page.
   Third, please answer the following questions, and give your reasoning: Is this something you think the criminal justice system should be supporting or not? Do you think the program is helping the criminal justice system by helping the victims? Suggested guideline: 1/2 to one page.
   Here is a rubric that gives you some idea of how the paper will be graded.

What gets a ____ grade

Section

% of grade

Low

Medium

High

Describe 2 elements

10

General statement about what program does

Clear description of 1 specific program feature

Clear description 2 specific program features

Connect to class content

60

Weak connection to empirical and theoretical work, vague descriptions of relevant concepts or processes

Makes some connection to empirical and theoretical work, describing one relevant process or concept or one result

Clearly explains the empirically theoretical processes underlying program elements

Answer broader questions

20

Unsupported answer(s); no rationale provided

Clear answer to at least one question, one rationale

Clear answer to 2 questions; clear rationale(s)

References

10

Quotes have supporting in-line references; bibliography list follows standard formats

 

References to some of material covered in lectures
   Janoff-Bulman, R. and I. Frieze 1983 "A Theoretical perspective for understanding reactions to victimization." Journal of Social Issues 39:1-17.
   Coates, D. and T. Winston 1983 "Counteracting the deviance of depression: Peer support groups for victims." Journal of Social Issues 39:171-196.
   Forst, B. E. and J. C. Hernon 1985 The criminal justice response to victim harm. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice.
   Lehman, D. R., C. B. Wortman, and A. F. Williams 1987 "Long-term effects of losing a spouse or child in a motor vehicle crash." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 52:218-231