Assignment:
APPLICATION OF THEORY TO BEHAVIOR
Create a 7 to 8 pages:
PURPOSE: The purpose of assignment is to read a nonfiction true crime book, or an approved novel and just as a criminologist in the FBI Behavioral Unit would be assigned, apply theories and concepts and typologies from our course to the behavior in the behavior in the book . The goal is to engage students in the real life work of criminologists in using all the information at hand to understand why crime occurs. You may think of yourself as a criminal profiler writing a memo to your supervisor supplying possible explanations for the behavior of the perpetrator(s). A list of suitable books will be supplied, and students may suggest their own books, but must get Instructor approval. The books are available in the library, online, in bookstores, and on your own bookshelf! A further purpose of this assignment is for students to achieve a further degree of comfort writing a short research paper. Model papers will be posted under Course Materials.
FORMAT: The format must be followed, turnitin.com used and all requirements met
Partial List of Possible Book Choices
Columbine, David Cullen and a Mother's Reckoning, Sue Klebold School mass murder
Halfway Heaven, Melanie Thernstrom murder/suicide at Harvard University
Lucky, Alice Sebold, Rape ; on a college campus
A Stolen Life and the sequel just published, Jaycee Dugard ;kidnapping and rape of a child
Are You There Alone, Andrea Yates; mental illness; drowning of 5 children
In Cold Blood, Capote first true crime described as literature
Night Stalker, Carlo; serial murder and rape
When a Child Kills, Mones; parental child abuse and children who kill in response
The Stranger Beside Me, Ann Rule; Ted Bundy
Exposed, the Secret Life of Jody Arias; Female homicidal stalker
Deviant, Shocking True Story of Ed Gein; model for Silence of the Lambs
The Smartest Guys in the Room, McClean; white collar crime and the Enron debacle
Defending Jacob, William Landrey; murder, secrets, the violence gene?, excellent.
Helter Skelter, Vincent Bugliosi, the Manson Murder written by the District Attorney who prosecuted the case.
Ghettoside, Jill Leovy, excellent award winning book on the relationship between law enforcement and citizens in South Central Los Angeles.
If you find a book you believe is appropriate, please let me know!