Assignment task: Reflecting upon the presentation of violence in the documentary Violence. . . an American Tradition, consider the following:
1. When seeking to explain histroical violence, ad show int eh entire documentary, which framework is best: individual traits; process/reaction, or structural? Why?
2. Which specific theory from the framework you have chosen can be used to best explain historical violence in America as it is depicted in the documentary?
- You MUST stay within the framework you initially chose for crime trends - social process/reaction OR individual trait OR structural.
- Choose the one that best supports your thesis and identify the elements of the theory and support using evidence (case examples) from the documentary.
3. Choose another specific theory that does NOT work well to explain historical violence? What are the elements of that theory and why does it not work (essentially, you are supporting your argument above by presenting a corollary argument) Why?