You are responsible for writing an in-depth analysis of an infamous real-life criminal through the lens of one or more theories we have covered in class. You may pick both the criminal and the theory(ies) from the lists provided below.

Purpose of the Paper

The purpose of the paper is to weave together the life history and the theory(ies), pointing out the areas where the theory(ies) does a good job of explaining the criminal and where it does not. 

Expectations 

The paper is intended to a critical analysis, which means you must do extensive research on the criminal you choose, including their:

• • • Childhood
    • Education
    • Family history
    • Noteworthy background experiences
    • Relationships
    • Significant choices they made
    • Mental health
    • Legal and medical history (as relevant)
    • Anything else that will lead to a robust analysis of the criminal 

Note: In addition to the research on the person, you must have a strong familiarity with the theory(ies) you have chosen; this too will require extensive research. You have numerous theories to choose from below, and your textbook will be a deep well of information for this paper. 

Professional Sources

In researching the criminal, you may struggle to find professional journals/books. For example, you are not likely to find many peer-reviewed journal articles or books published about most criminals, but practice diligence to assure the information you present is as reputable as possible. It is not advisable to use disreputable websites for background information.

Note: There is no minimum or maximum number of sources needed for background information on your criminal, however, in researching the theory(ies) you’ve chosen, you are to find no fewer than 3 professional sources (defined below).

Defining a Professional Source

A professional source, in this case, is any source that comes from an actual legitimate, academic or scientific source.

I recognize that there is some good information on the internet; however, most websites (unless academic/scientific in nature) are not reputable – at least not to scientific standards.

I have no problem with you accessing information using the internet as a tool, but I want to steer you away from poorly reliable/valid internet sources. I recognize that exceptions may arise; please verify those with me if you have any doubts/questions about their usability. 

What I have in mind for “professional sources” really involves books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and other academic/scientific/reputable publications. 

Starting Point for Finding Professional Sources

A good place to start your research for this project is the TAMUCT Library, Links to an external site.where you can find tons of online resources and databases with scholarly articles. If you’re new to using these resources, please use the 24/7 research help located on the Library’s homepage to chat with a librarian who can help you find sources that you can use for this paper.

Requirements

This is a professional, APA style research paper. Therefore, it should have:

• • • • Title and reference pages
      • Running head
      • Citations

Additionally, your paper should look and read like a formal/professionally written paper; it is not appropriate to use first or second person language in such a paper. Your intended audience is professionals, so the paper should include terms, verbiage, content, and ideas that are aimed at a high level of training and understanding. You shouldn’t make it needlessly complex, but it also should not be aimed at a kindergarten audience either.

Writing skills are extremely important. Be extra diligent to avoid grammar and spelling errors. Contractions are not appropriate in professional papers, nor are colloquialisms or most abbreviations. 

Formatting and Late Submissions

All papers must be typed, double spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point font, APA style, and submitted in Microsoft Word format by the due date. Late submissions receive a 10% per 24 hours grade reduction. All papers must be submitted on Canvas. 

Plagiarism 

SimCheck is enabled for this paper; SimCheck is plagiarism software, which is integrated into Canvas and allows me to instantly check for plagiarism in student submissions. When enabled for an assignment in Canvas, student submissions will automatically run through the SimCheck database, providing me with a plagiarism score for each submission. Any and all red flags will be reviewed. 

In keeping with the University policy, I have no tolerance for cheating or stealing others’ work. Do your own writing. If you struggle, please get help from me, the writing lab, etc. As you write, if you have any doubt whatsoever, include a citation. 

Protect yourself! It is not against the rules to use content from elsewhere, it is only against the rules not to credit the original source.  Any plagiarism will result in failing the assignment, and, depending on the context, may result in failing this course. Also, there could be further consequences that could impact your standing with the university. 

Organizing Your Paper

To maximize clarity and assure you have covered your responsibilities, I strongly suggest using this format:

1. 1. 1. Title Page 
          
      2. A Brief Introduction to the Criminal:
         • • This need not be a completely exhaustive account of everything you learned about the criminal’s history, but enough of an overview so the reader gets a clear sense of who they are and how their life course is relevant to this paper. 
                
      3. A Brief Introduction to the Theory(ies): 
         • • Similar to above, this does not have to be an exhaustive account of everything your research taught you, but perhaps even as short as 1-2 paragraphs to introduce the basic concepts of the theory and how it/they account for criminal behavior. 
              
      4. Analysis and Synthesis:
         • • The bulk of your paper will be the analysis and synthesis of the criminal and the theory(ies). Here, you want to introduce relevant components of the criminal alongside theoretical ideas and then use the research to account for how the behavior does or does not fit, as well as alternative explanations for the behavior.
           • You can critique the theory (again, use research to support), but keep the focus on the criminal you chose, their life, history, choices, crimes, etc. and weave it together with various aspects of the theory.
           • In this section in particular, the synthesis of information is the key! You are welcome to integrate other things we’ve covered in class if they are relevant (e.g. genetics, temperament, exposure to neurotoxins, etc.), but make sure the theory is the main lens through which you conduct your analysis.
               
      5. Conclusion:
         • • A short summary of how the theory(ies) did or did not stand up to scrutiny against the backdrop of your criminal.
               
      6. Reference Page(s)

Note: In total, , your mid-term should be 5-7 pages long, not including title and reference pages. Use headings for each section for clarity and organization.

Criminal and Theory Options for this Paper

Remember, you musty choose one criminal and at least one theory from the lists below. If you want to resear

Lists of Criminals and Theories