Annotations and Essay Planning

Assessment item 2 – Annotations and Essay Planning

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Value: 40%
Length: 1800

TASK
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This assignment is in 3 parts but all parts are to be included in the same document. Please have part 1 first and part 2 following it and part 3 following that.
The first part is looking at two of the theories and how they relate to crime (approx 600 words).
The second part is looking at a crime in your local area (approx 600 words).
The third part of this assignment is the beginning of the final essay itself (approx 600 words).

Objective: This is an opportunity to get feedback on how you intend to approach the final essay and to get advice on how you can improve your writing to maximise your grade in the final assignment. These elements will form the first part of assignment 3.

 

PART 1. THEORIES AND CRIME

Provide a short overview of Routine Activity Theory from Cohen & Felson(1979). Briefly discuss how it relates to crime, including a short example. (approx 300 words)
Provide a short overview of Rational Choice Theory from Cornish and Clarke. Briefly discuss how it relates to crime, including a short example. (approx 300 words)
Write in your own words, with brief supporting references.
Provide a reference list that includes any articles used (to APA7 style).

Maximum word limit = 600 words.

*NB: These should be a short descriptions/ overviews, not a critique or opinion. The reference list is not included in your word count.

PART 2: A CRIME IN YOUR AREA

Provide a brief description of the geographics and demographics of the area that you work in. Include statistics from relevant government sources to support this – properly referenced. Include information that is relevant to crime and policing. This includes shopping centres, transport links, industrial areas, types of residential premises, major sporting fixtures etc. (approx 300 words)
Select a crime that is an issue in your local area. It does not have to be the most significant crime, just a common one in your area. It MUST be a specific crime, NOT a crime category. (You must provide the offence code/ Act and Section relevant to this).
Outline the evidence you have to support your claim that the crime is an issue in your area.
You MUST include current statistics – numbers, increases, times, days etc.
You MUST reference where your statistics come from, both within the text and in a reference list.
You may choose a specific area or category within the crime you select eg Steal From Motor Vehicle in commuter car parks if you can provide relevant statistics. However, you can NOT just provide statistics for the whole State, if you specifically work in a limited area of that State. eg If you work in North Brisbane, you can not provide statistics for all of Brisbane or for Queensland. The information MUST relate to where you work. (approx 300 words)

 

Objective: This assessment item provides you with an opportunity to research components of your essay and obtain direct feedback from the Subject Coordinator on how you plan to tackle the essay. If the Subject Coordinator identifies any problems with your logic or approach you will know before you have to do assignment three. In addition, the Subject Coordinator will give you a referral to the Academic Skills Support Team if you need help with the academic writing components.

Word guide for essay plan: 600 words

 

PART 3. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Use the elements/components of Routine Activity Theory to explain why the selected crime is occurring in your area. (Consider that there are several layers of components – use all that are relevant to your crime).

This section is be provided in properly constructed sentences and paragraphs. Do NOT provide an introduction or conclusion – just the information requested.

 

Word guide for putting it all together: 600 words

Objective: The last part of this assignment will assist you in writing your final essay. This means that you will be able to learn from the feedback and advice received and can reuse this work in assignment 3 – but only once you have addressed the feedback given to you, and you have sought help from the Academic Skills Support Team if advised to do so.

Students are required to have appropriate in text referencing that complies with the APA style and to provide a reference list that includes all references used in each part, at the end of the assignment. The reference list and the in text references must follow APA guidelines. These guidelines can be found at www.aiatsis.gov.au/asp/styleguide.html or via the link in the RESOURCES section of the subject site (do not break the reference list up into two parts, please include just one reference list).

 

**Referencing: You MUST have at least 5 academic references in your assignment. You must also reference statistics, personal conversations, information about your area and any other information you obtain from another source.

 

RATIONALE
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SUBJECT LEARNING OUTCOMES

This assessment task will assess the following learning outcome/s:

be able to apply criminological theory to crime prevention.
be able to relate current crime theories, particularly those concerning social issues, to selected crime problems.
develop academic literacy and learning skills essential for successful tertiary study.

 

Students will receive feedback on the academic components as well as on their understanding of the readings and theory.
This assessment item will assist the student in preparing for the final essay and the introduction and first two paragraphs can be reused in the final essay (once feedback has been addressed).

Problems with academic writing will be identified and students referred to the Academic Skills Advisor if required.

 

GRADUATE LEARNING OUTCOMES

This task also contributes to the assessment of the following CSU Graduate Learning Outcome/s:

Academic Literacy and Numeracy (Skill) – Charles Sturt Graduates demonstrate the literacy and numeracy skills necessary to understand and interpret information and communicate effectively according to the context.
Lifelong Learning (Skill) – Charles Sturt Graduates seek and employ feedback to reflect on performance and outcomes in order to develop as an individual and professional.
MARKING CRITERIA AND STANDARDS
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JST301 Assignment Two Rubric

 

Outcomes/Tasks

40%

 

Exemplary

(HD)

 

Excellent

(DI)

 

Superior

(CR)

 

Achieved

(PS)

 

Not Achieved

(FL)

 

 

 

Theory Overviews

 

/8

 

All of DI + the theory overviews are to an exemplary level in succinctly describing the article with no errors.

Provides critical analysis, linking the theories to crime.

 

All of CR + the theory overviews accurately describe the main gist of the articles.

Provides analytical discussion, linking the theories to crime.

 

Provides all of the theory overviews which are adequately referenced and are clearly written.

Clearly links the theories to crime.

 

Provides all of the theory overviews which are adequately referenced, although one or more may lack clarity.

Adequately links the theories to crime, but lacking some clarity.

 

/4

 

Does not provide the theory overviews or does not provide all of the overviews.

 

Insufficient citations used.

Provides the readings but does not adequately discuss how they relate to crime.

 

 

 

 

2. Local Crime Identification

/8

 

All of DI with exemplary description of the local area. Exemplary evidence and critical analysis of the crime issue.

 

All of CR with excellent description of the local area. Excellent evidence of the crime issue with excellent supporting references/readings.

 

All of PS and also provides a detailed description of the local area with a good level of evidence of the crime issue. Good reference to readings/references.

 

 

Provides an adequate description of the local area, including demographics and geographics.

Provides satisfactory but basic evidence that the crime is an issue in the local area.

Adequate citations used.

/4

 

Does not provide short descriptions of local area, including demographics and geographics.

Does not select a specific crime. Does not provide evidence that the crime is an issue in the local area.

 

No references or severely limited use of references.

 

Is off track from the question. Elements missing.

 

Fails to submit this part.

 

 

 

3. Linking crime and theory (putting it all together)

 

 

 

/10

 

All of DI +
Comprehensively covers all the relevant contextual issues. To an exemplary level.

 

All of CR +
The writing is consistent with the audience and the main issue is described in succinct detail. Excellent links between crime and theory.

 

All of PS + The section is coherent and logical and contains detailed background and context to the crime issue. Good links between crime and theory.

 

Provides the section which is properly structured and includes summarised reference to the crime issue and theory. Some basic links between crime and theory.

/5

 

Does not provide this section or the section does not refer to the crime issue and theory.

The section is not coherent and/or is not properly structured.

 

4. Understanding of criminological theory

 

/5

 

All of DI +
There is in-depth understanding of theory and exceptional critical/deep engagement with the material. Skilful interpretation of any data presented.

 

Demonstrates an excellent theoretical knowledge base with a clear understanding of the relevant issues. Can argue the key points well.

 

Shows a good understanding of the criminological theory. Can describe and discuss the main points of the theory.

 

Shows a satisfactory but basic
understanding of the theory but which is sufficient to meet the learning outcomes.
Describing rather than discussing.

 

/2.5

 

Weak knowledge base. Does not demonstrate understanding of the theory.
Does not include discussion of criminological theory.

 

Uses quotations instead of paraphrasing.

 

Elements are missing.

 

5.

Academic Referencing and Research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/4

 

All of DI +

Extensive reference list demonstrating extensive research within and outside the discipline. Referencing is impeccable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good level of broader research and reading.

 

Appropriately referenced to APA7 standards.

 

Referencing is excellent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some evidence of appropriate broader research and reading.

 

Referencing almost fully conforms to the APA7 standards and style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Referencing mainly conforms to the APA7 standards and style but several errors. Restricted to the provided readings for source material or very limited additional

readings.

Insufficient research.

 

/2

 

Does not reference to APA7 standards.

No references or references missing.

No reference list.

In text referencing issues.

Limited or no use of research materials.

Uses study materials or unreliable websites.

Uses online bibliographies and book reviews as reference sources.

Uses dictionary instead of academic source for academic definitions.

Uses second hand citations.

Cites opinions and conversations that have no authority.

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Grammar, syntax , punctuation, presentation and flow of discussion.

 

 

/5

 

All of DI +
The writing and essay structure is of exceptional quality in presenting ideas with clarity, cohesiveness and fluency and the structure is purposefully constructed to effectively support the discussion.

 

No grammar, spelling or punctuation errors.
There is a capable use of the written language to present and support an argument, and skillfully uses the conventions of academic writing to develop a logical argument.

 

 

 

 

There are few grammatical and spelling errors evident. The presentation is good and the flow of the discussion is logical and clearly expressed.

 

Punctuation is appropriately used.

 

Essay structure adequately supports the discussion by having paragraphs that provide a logical progression of ideas.

 

 

 

 

There are some grammatical and spelling errors evident. The presentation is adequate and the flow of the discussion is logical.

 

Punctuation is present but some errors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

/2.5

 

Writing has many grammatical and spelling errors; is not clearly articulated and/or is poorly presented.

The flow of the discussion is not smooth or logical.

Punctuation lacking.

Paragraphs are broken up.

Paragraphs too long or too short.

Sentences not properly structured.
Improper use of capitals.

Use of first person.

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

/40

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESENTATION
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This assignment is in 3 parts but all parts are to be included in the same document. Please have part 1 first and part 2 following it and part 3 following that.
The first part is the theory overview and link to crime.
The second part is about your local policing area and a specific crime in that area
The third part of this assignment is linking the crime and theory in preparation for the final essay itself.
The development of academic scholarship skills is an important part of this subject. Please take note that reference sources need to be included throughout the assignmentand a reference list must be included at the end of part 3 (including all references used in part 1, part 2 and part 3.

*This is an opportunity to get feedback on how you intend to approach the final essay (worth 60%) and to get advice on how you can improve your writing to maximise your grade in the final assignment.

In addition to reviewing the marking rubric for assignment 2, I also recommend you look at the marking rubric for assignment 3 so you can see how you will be assessed for this item too.

 

The Crime I want to choose is Property Damage. This is the biggest crime where I live. I can provide more information to the writer. There will be a second part of this assignment which is due in January 2020. That will be an essay with 2500 words.