CJ 406  Criminological Theories Fall 2008
Movies and Short Paper Assignment

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Finalized 11/09/08

PURPOSE

The purpose of the assignment is for you to apply a specific theory that we have reviewed in this course to a specific situation. You have two options in terms of "situation." You either can select one of the movies listed below. Or, you can focus on a situation that you have recently witnessed first hand where you saw either crime or deviance. You are applying a nomothetic theory to an idiographic situation.

ELIGIBLE MOVIES
(NOTE: some of these movies have been remade. Do NOT see the remake, if there is one. Get the film with the date indicated. Quotes are from Muller, E. (1998). Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir. New York: St. Martin's Griffin.)

Double Indemnity (Paramount, 1944). Using one theory, argue either for or against this statement: the transfiguration of Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) is plausible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmi3YF0ybQg&feature=related

Force of Evil (MGM, 1948). Explain why Joe Morse (John Garfield) got involved in big time crime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTRPgwClQtc&NR=1

Gun Crazy (UA, 1950). Laurie Starr (Peggy Cummins) and Bart Tare (John Dall) love guns and robbing. Use a theory to explain the criminal career of either. You may have more information over more time for Tare, but Starr ends up being the more extreme (and hence more interesting?) one. Note the scene leading up to the bank robbery: it is four minutes, uncut, unheard of in its time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuceuJMZHwM

On Dangerous Ground (RKO, 1951). Jim Wilson (Robert Ryan) "was once a decent cop" but no more. What theory explains his "uncontrollable violence"? (BTW, Ryan was an Ivy League graduate and varsity boxer.)

Private Hell 36 (Filmakers, 1954). Two cops (Howard Duff, the blond; Steve Cochran, dark haired) respond differently to a criminal opportunity. What theory helps explain why the two responded so differently? (Pay close attention to the scene unrolling with/after the opening credits, and the discussion of it early in the film. The closing voice over is a classic.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi2vbSBvIlc

The Racket (RKO, 1951). Nick Scanlon (Robert Ryan) is a "Prohibition-style enforcer" having trouble adapting to a more "organized" style of crime. Answer one: What theory explains how he has come so far? Does any theory explain why he can progress no further?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggraRvLiB60&feature=related

PARAMETERS
1. Typed, double spaced, 12 pitch, one inch margins, no less than two pages and more than four pages, including references. When you refer to a theory, also include page numbers.  I will absolutely stop reading at five pages.
2. Use the last FIVE digits of your TUID as the running head. NO NAMES ON THE PAPERS.
3. DUE NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY  DECEMBER 17, UPLOADED THROUGH TURNITIN ON BLACKBOARD. PLEASE DO NOT SEND AS AN EMAIL ATTACHMENT.
4. There is NO penalty for submitting early papers.
5. LATE PAPERS will lose points and may jeopardize your grade.

HINTS
In addition to summarizing points from the movie, try to include a key dialogue or scene description to make your points.
How to use TURNITIN

  1. Log into your Blackboard account and access this course.
  2. Click Assignments.
  3. Under Assignments, you will find the first paper assignment titled “Paper 1 Assignment”.
  4. Under the assignment, click on the icon >>View/Complete. This will take you to the Submit TURNITIN Assignment screen.
  5. Fill in the highlighted information on the screen (first & last name, paper title). Click the Browse button and add the correct file.
  6. Click Submit & you’re done. After you submit your paper you canNOT submit another version

 

GRADING RUBRIC
Papers will be graded on threedimensions, indicated below. Each dimension will be counted equally.

  Below Average (D) Average (C) Above Average (B) Excellent (A)
Writing Quality Large number of grammatical and/or spelling errors; and/or writing is hard to understand. Moderate  number of grammatical and/or spelling errors; small problems in overall paper organization. A small number of grammatical or spelling errors; overall construction acceptable but could be stronger No grammatical or spelling errors; well constructed paragraphs; well connected paragraphs; strong overall structure
Cogency of Analysis No appropriate connections made between the theory  and the  film Only one or two tangential theory/film connections made; and/or the cogency of the connections is suspect, but is at least detailed; and/or the connections fail to address major points in the film Connections made between specific theory elements and specific film elements, but the ties are not as clear as they could be, or do not address major points in the film Strong, clear, cogent connections made between specific theory elements and specific film elements
Reference to Supporting Theory Paper fails to correctly reference key concepts or hypotheses from the supporting theory Paper makes use of a couple of key concepts or hypotheses from the supporting theory, but the concepts or hypotheses are not clearly described or properly referenced; and/or the concepts used are not the most appropriate ones to use from that theoretical model Paper makes correct use of a couple of key concepts from the supporting theory, with appropriate referencing; concepts used are the most relevant. Paper makes correct use of at least 3-4 key concepts from the supporting theory, with appropriate referencing; concepts used are the most relevant