Write a paper revolved around crime causation. Specifically, you are expected to:
- Introduction (10 points): Choose a type of crime/deviance, such as violent crime, hate crime, white collar crime, deviance, antisocial behavior, juvenile delinquency, etc. Why do you want to examine this crime/deviance? Why is it important to know more about it?
- Literature Review (40 points): Review and summarize 3 to 6 academic journal articles (NOT websites, blogs, or news stories) that explain the causes of this type of crime/deviance.
- Elaboration (20 points): Compare and contrast how those journal articles are related to, or/and differentiated from, each other— that is, synthesize how they draw on similar / different theories, come to similar/different conclusions, etc.
- Causality (20 points): Based on your summary and synthesis of the journal articles, answer this question: what exactly causes people to commit this type of crime/deviance?
- Policy Implications (10 points): Based on your causal argument, what can be done to reduce or stop this type of crime/deviance?
Academic Journals
(including but not limited to the following)
- Criminology
- Criminology, Criminal Justice, Law & Society
- Criminology & Criminal Justice
- American Journal of Criminal Justice
- American Journal of Sociology
- American Sociological Review
- Criminal Justice and Behavior
- Crime & Delinquency
- Criminology & Public Policy
- Others. For more journals, see
Submission Guidelines
• The paper should be in the essay format, 5 to 7 pages, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, and using 12-pt font.
- It must include in-text citations and a reference list at the end (using the ASA/APA format).You may cite class readings and/or outside readings.