Goal of Assignment:
The goal of the case study assignment is for students to (
Goal of Assignment:
The goal of the case study assignment is for students to (1) research a relevant, real life case that illustrates course themes and theories; (2) analyze a real life fact scenario not only for course themes, but also for classroom pedagogical potential in terms of the dilemma and issues presented for discussion/debate; and (3) to analyze (in Section C of the case study paper) the case selected by substantively engaging course scholarship, forcing students to move beyond merely descriiptive assignments and to develop their own opinions and views, contextualized by course themes and readings. A good place to start is to look at the course outline in the syllabus, review weekly topics/readings, and choose a topic/area that you are interested in exploring in depth.
General Instructions:
In short, a case study examines a real-life situation and includes three components:
Part A—Case Summary: What is the history of the case? What is your case about/what charges were brought? What is the context—when & where did it take place? What are the relevant facts? Who are the key players involved (e.g., victim, offender, judge, prosecutor, witnesses, etc.)? What punishment (if any) was rendered? What was the final verdict? Were there any appeals? What is the current status (if applicable)? Finally, and most importantly, what are the dilemmas, issues, and ethical questions faced by key players?
Part B—Dilemmas & Decisions: What allegedly happened vs. what actually happened? How did different media outlets choose to portray the case? Out of the possible alternatives, what did the criminal justice professional choose to do? And what were the consequences—immediate, indirect and otherwise? How did the other parties (victim, offender, family, friends, community) react? Did the media influence the public and/or criminal justice system in creating, modifying, or replacing any policies? Was there a public outcry, march, strike, protest, or similar event associated with the case? Were any key players interviewed?
Part C—Discussion: What is your analysis/view? What is your analysis of the events and decisions? How did the victim(s) influence the case? Would the case outcome be different if key players’ gender/race/status/age were different? Would the media portray the case differently if key players’ gender/race/status/age were different? Was the legal response appropriate (think due process)? Was the public’s response appropriate? What were the policy, political and/or social implications? You should assess and critique the actions, reactions, and behaviors of the key players and parties. What were the alternatives in this case? This section should be discussed considering your own judgments, course readings and themes. Successful case studies will substantively engage relevant course themes, outside sources, and criminological theories related to media, victims, and course materials.
Specific Instructions:
First, students must identify and critically evaluate how the criminal justice system responded to a high-profile crime. Secondly, students must articulate and assess how the media influenced the case outcome and/or public opinion. Lastly, students must analyze the role of the victim’s race, class, gender, and/or age and the role of the media in the case outcome and policymaking process.
Students should identify & discuss which “category” the victim in the case falls into, the impact of crime on the victim/family/community, and any issues/shortcomings related to supporting or assisting the victim/individuals harmed by the criminal event (use Davis textbook to guide you). Students must provide the procedural history/summary of the case or event (what laws were broken? What charges were brought by the prosecutor? What were the court proceedings?). Students must articulate and assess how the media and key players involved in the crime case influenced the case outcome. Students must identify key issues and dilemmas of the case (due process issues? Violations of constitutional rights? Media’s conceptualization of key players/reporting agenda/framing of case & news story). Students must analyze the case outcome and the social and political implications of behaviors, decisions, and media coverage.
Papers should be:
5-7 pages in length (not including title page or references page).
Typed, double-spaced, 12pt font, 1” margins, with title page, references page and page numbers.
APA formatted. For help with APA formatting, see https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html
Free from plagiarism. To substantiate your position, you will need to include statistics or other sources. Students must abide by BSU guidelines regarding sources, plagiarism, and APA in-text citations.
Demonstrative of a high level of writing – evidencing critical thinking and analysis.
Styled in a “narrative” format.
To effectively write the paper:
Examine the media’s representation of the case/news values/agenda setting/style.
Examine victim typology and impact/how victim & others were negatively impacted. Discuss any positive outcomes when applicable (i.e., new law passed, awareness raised for certain issue).
Evaluate possible solutions and suggest courses of action for issues/dilemmas regarding case outcome, how the case was handled, and how the media influenced case outcome and public reaction.
Choose a controversial case where there is a clear division of opinion and which is arguable with facts and inductive reasoning. You may choose a case involving an issue/dilemma on which you have already formed an opinion. However, in writing about this issue you must examine both sides of the issue critically.
Prior to writing your paper, define and limit your issue/dilemma carefully. These issues are likely complex with multiple solutions. Narrow the topic of your paper to something that is manageable.
Research your case and surrounding issues/dilemmas thoroughly, consulting course material and outside sources. Gather as much information about the case timeline as possible to help you define possible links between the outcome and influence of the media. You must utilize a minimum of FIVE sources, including at least THREE outside sources, to inform your paper. These outside sources must be peer-reviewed publications, governmental reports, and select books and newspapers/magazines – properly cited in APA format in-text and in the references page.
Assessment Method:
Grading will be based on completeness of the paper as per the assignment instructions. Papers will also be judged on level of critical thought/analysis, logic, and flow. You will lose points if your paper lacks proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, organization, clarity, or insight relative to course material.