Conflict Theory: Economic Conflict Decriminalization of marijuana

Locate a theory from the class text or lectures that you think is good at explaining a certain crime or deviant behavior. You must locate at least three peer-reviewed academic articles from the Evans Library databases to support your case. Your paper must be in APA format, including a title page, abstract, and reference page. Your paper must be at least four pages (not counting the title page, abstract, or reference page) following APA format. You may use your text as a reference but must also provide no less than three academic journal articles for support. Nonacademic sources, such as news articles, may only be used to add support for the crime or deviant behavior you are exploring. All topics must be approved by your instructor.

Papers will be constructed with the following components (use these as your APA headers):

• Title page (APA this does not count toward word count.)
• Abstract (APA this does not count toward word count.)
• Introduction set the stage for the reader. Provide a brief overview of the criminal or deviant behavior and your proposed explanations. (Note: this should be two solid paragraphs. You may think of this as an opening statement in court. Usually no more than one-half page.)
• Operationalizing the criminal behavior discuss, define, and operationalize the behavior you are going to seek to explain. (Note: clearly discuss the crime or behavior you are exploring. Usually no more than one-half page.)
• Literature review explain and discuss the peer-reviewed theory you believe explains the topic behavior. You are outlining and discussing the theories. (Note: this is simply a clear discussion of the theories you are using to help explain the problem in your paper. Usually about two pages.)
• How theory explains the crime or behavior this is the synthesis of how the theories discussed fit toward your explanations. (Note: articulate why you believe the theory applies to your chosen crime or behavior. Usually a page or less.)
• Conclusion conclude by discussing the potential utility of your selected theory in an applied setting. Issues such as policy implications, prevention strategies, or apprehension are good options. (Note: this needs to be a minimum of three solid paragraphs. Students often lose the most points here. Your conclusion is akin to a closing argument and summation in a trial. Should be at least one full page.)
• References (APA this does not count toward word count.)