When people talk about the value of criminological theory in the criminal justice system, theory guides the development of policy and programs allowing for the prevention of crime, improvement in public safety, and programs and policy to reduce recidivism. Criminological theory, even those earliest of theories, have come to influence society. However, as your readings highlight, one of the pressing challenges is that for many people, theory is abstract—it is all academic. Therefore, it is important that you learn what theory looks like in practice.
Using your reading assignments, intellipath® lessons, and other resources, create an 11-slide presentation that visually describes theory. For example:
- What does social disorganization look like?
- What does broken windows look like?
- What does routine activities theory look like?
Your task is to explain your selected criminological theory through a visual presentation.
The specific steps to build your presentation are as follows:
- Create an introductory slide that explains what criminology is in general and what criminological theory represents.
- Select 3 of following the theories covered in your readings to cover in the body of your presentation:
- Social ecology
- Critical criminology
- Social disorganization
- Strain theory
- Rational choice
- Routine activities
- Neutralization
- Broken windows
- For each selected theory, create:
- 1 slide that gives a summary of the theory
- 1 slide with an image representing the theory
- 1 slide with an explanation of why the image represents some aspect of the theory.
- Create a conclusion slide highlighting the value of criminological theory in reducing crime.
- Create a reference slide with no fewer than 4 scholarly resources.
THIS FIRST SLIDE SHOULD BE YOUR TITLE SLIDE IF YOU CHOOSE TO HAVE ONE (OPTIONAL)
(NAME, CLASS, ASSIGNMENT name, DATE)
INTRODUCTION SLIDE HERE
DO NOT JUST LIST YOUR THREE CHOSEN THEORIES HERE;
TELL ME WHAT CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES ARE, IN GENERAL
WHY IS UNDERSTANDING THEORIES IMPORTANT?
WHAT KIND OF ROLE DO THEY PLAY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM?
USE YOUR OWN WORDS.
THIS SHOULD HAVE YOUR CHOSEN THEORY #1
WRITE A SUMMARY OF THIS THEORY— IN YOUR OWN WORDS..
DO NOT COPY AND PASTE.
TELL ME WHAT THE THEORY MEANS…A DEFINITION…WHO STARTED IT? WHEN AND WHY? PROVIDE A SUMMARY OF YOUR CHOSEN THEORY.
THIS SHOULD HAVE AN IMAGE THAT REPRESENTS YOUR THEORY #1
INSERT A PICTURE HERE. IT SHOULD REPRESENT THEORY #1
STAY AWAY FROM AN IMAGE OF WORDS (LIKE A CHART) DEFINING THE THEORY—IT SHOULD BE JUST PICTURE/IMAGE.
THIS SLIDE SHOULD EXPLAIN WHY YOU BELIEVE THE PREVIOUS PICTURE REPRESENTS THEORY #1
USE YOUR OWN WORDS.
THIS SHOULD HAVE YOUR CHOSEN THEORY #2
WRITE A SUMMARY OF THIS THEORY— IN YOUR OWN WORDS..
DO NOT COPY AND PASTE.
TELL ME WHAT THE THEORY MEANS…A DEFINITION…WHO STARTED IT? WHEN AND WHY? SUMMARIZE YOUR THEORY #2. WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF IT?
THIS SHOULD HAVE AN IMAGE THAT REPRESENTS YOUR THEORY #2
INSERT A PICTURE HERE. IT SHOULD REPRESENT THEORY #2
STAY AWAY FROM AN IMAGE OF WORDS (LIKE A CHART, GRAPH, ETC.) EXPLAINING THE THEORY—IT SHOULD BE JUST PICTURE/IMAGE.
THIS SLIDE SHOULD EXPLAIN WHY YOU BELIEVE THE PREVIOUS PICTURE REPRESENTS THEORY #2
USE YOUR OWN WORDS.
THIS SHOULD HAVE YOUR CHOSEN THEORY #3
WRITE A SUMMARY OF THIS THEORY— IN YOUR OWN WORDS..
DO NOT COPY AND PASTE.
TELL ME WHAT THE THEORY MEANS…A DEFINITION…WHO STARTED IT? WHEN AND WHY? WHAT DOES THE THEORY MEAN?
THIS SHOULD HAVE AN IMAGE THAT REPRESENTS YOUR THEORY #3
INSERT A PICTURE HERE. IT SHOULD REPRESENT THEORY #3
STAY AWAY FROM AN IMAGE OF WORDS (LIKE A CHART) EXPLAINING THE THEORY—IT SHOULD BE JUST PICTURE/IMAGE.
THIS SLIDE SHOULD EXPLAIN WHY YOU BELIEVE THE PREVIOUS PICTURE REPRESENTS THEORY #3
USE YOUR OWN WORDS.
CONCLUSION SLIDE (similar to conclusion paragraph in an academic paper)
THIS SLIDE SHOULD TELL ME WHY CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES ARE NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND and HOW UNDERSTANDING THEORIES CAN HELP TO LOWER CRIME RATES & PREVENT CRIME IN CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRIES.
DO NOT JUST SUMMARIZE EACH THEORY AGAIN HERE.
REFERENCES LIST
*YOU SHOULD HAVE NO LESS THAN FOUR SCHOLARLY REFERENCES.
*TRY TO MAKE THEM IN APA FORMAT. USE YOUR AIU LIBRARY APA QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
*WHERE DID YOU GET THE INFO ON YOUR THEORIES FROM? IF YOU USE ANY COURSE MATERIALS, LIST THEM
*STAY AWAY FROM THOSE SOURCES ON THE UNACCEPTABLE WEBSITES LIST.