Research report on hyper criminalization, mass incarceration, the prison industrial complex) or police violence (physical, symbolic and psychological) from a credible news source

Students will choose an article about hyper criminalization, mass incarceration (the prison industrial complex) or police violence (physical, symbolic and psychological) from a credible news source (not Wikipedia or a blog – think CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, The New York Times, etc.) and apply a criminological theory to explain the effects of these institutions/social problems and offer policy implications.

The news story must be about a criminal case/issue that occurred within the last five years in the United States. Students will be required to use at least 5 peer reviewed, scholarly journal articles as references to support your assertions and analyses.

The expected length of papers range from 7-10 pages (not including title page and reference pages).

Papers are expected to be turned in on time in the dropbox on Canvas. Two points will be deducted for each day papers are late. 

Your paper should have the following elements and be labeled accordingly.

1. Introduction: Briefly present your article and what you hope to accomplish with this paper.  (A good way to start is:  “The purpose of this paper is…..).
2. Article: Describe your article (provide link in reference page). Describe the actors in the article (race, class, gender etc..) Which social institutions are involved? Who benefits? Who is harmed? 
3. Theory: Fully define and describe the theoretical framework you will explain and apply to the issues raised in the article. Who are the major theorists associated with the theory; their influences? 
4. Application: Direct application of the theory to the article. Identify the main components of the theory and apply it to the social problem you chose. What might the theorist argue about the social problem you chose?
5. Policy Recommendations: Present policy recommendations that may address the social problem you chose to examine.
6. Conclusion: This paragraph ties what you have discussed throughout the paper back to your introduction paragraph