Discuss the below:
Term Research Paper
One of the primary goals of this course is to give students a broad understanding of the different components and the current state of the criminal justice system. Given however the number of components and the complexity of topics in the criminal justice field, another aim of this course is to guide students into becoming experts in one or more very specific areas.
You are expected to work independently on this paper throughout the duration of the course (this paper should be a work in progress throughout the term, if left until the end, it will conflict with your other exams/assignments). For this paper, each student is required to identify one specific topic of their interest and write a term paper. THE TOPIC FOR YOUR TERM PAPER CAN EITHER FOCUS ON AN ISSUE (e.g. the low ratio of women to men as state police officers, the use of bail as a proxy for discrimination based on race and poverty), OR SIMPLY DESCRIBE THE HISTORY/CURRENT STATE OF A CERTAIN AREA OF A COMPONENT OF THE SYSTEM (e.g. the police's use of recording devices, riots in prisons, work programs in prison, increased militarization of the police). BE SURE TO SPECIFY IN YOUR PAPER, WHICH OF THESE TWO GOALS YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. Finding a topic that is narrow is crucial (e.g. officers accepting small gratuities, media coverage of mass murders). A large and vague topic is likely to produce a vague and low quality paper (e.g. discrimination in the CJ system is a large an vague topic).
First, introduce this topic (i.e., introduce the topic to a casual reader), being sure to present evidence (from the literature) that supports your conclusion that the problem is worthy of concern (How serious is the problem? How common is the problem? And so on). This section should be about a page. Then summarize the available literature on the topic. It is wise to organize this review with appropriate subheadings to help you organize this information (e.g. historical overview, the role of certain key issues such as race or gender, as they relate to your topic, the role of policy, or whatever subheadings best fit your topic). Your review of the literature should constitute at least 5-6 pages of your paper. The last section of your paper-the discussion, should summarize the findings in your literature review and should include your own conclusion regarding your topic. This section gives you the opportunity to add your own opinion, based of course on what you have found in the literature.
Your paper should have at least 8 scholarly sources (most of which will be journal articles or books) cited throughout the paper, and contain a bibliography at the end.
Your paper must be a minimum of 8 pages in length, typed in twelve-point font, Times New Roman, and double-spaced with standard one-inch margins. Include your name and assignment due date in the upper right hand corner of the first page (no cover page is necessary).