“Read Makes Me Wanna Holler by Nathan McCall (1994) in its entirety. While doing so, pay particular attention to instances in his life that shape both his journey to crime as well as his path toward reform. When you have finished, pick a criminological framework that you believe best explains both McCall’s involvement in street crime and his subsequent rehabilitation. What evidence does McCall’s story provide to support this theoretical explanation? What are the strengths of the theory as it applies to McCall’s life before, during, and after prison? What aspects from McCall’s life cannot be explained by the theoretical framework? Based upon the framework you have selected, and drawing upon evidence from McCall’s life story, what can be done to prevent others like McCall from involvement in urban crime?
In essay form, address the questions raised above by discussing which criminological theory you feel best explains McCall’s descent into crime, as well as his rehabilitation from crime. Be sure to explain the historical background/context of the theory, outline its causal mechanism(s), and then apply the theory to McCall while providing evidence from Makes Me Wanna Holler that comports with your theoretical framework. To that end, students should make use of course readings on their selected theory. In addition to the textbook, each key theory is accompanied by an article (posted on Titanium) relevant to that theory. Students should make use of these additional readings and may use outside theory books available in the library. Do not rely on Internet-only sources, as they are not peer-reviewed. Please note that lectures are not quotable sources. Please do not re-type your lecture notes in your essay, as these merely reflect my words, not yours.
Select one of the following theories to use in your paper: (a) Robert Merton’s Strain Theory, (b) Albert Cohen’s Status Frustration/Reaction Formation, (c) Travis Hirschi’s Social Bonds, (d) Labeling Theory (can discuss multiple theorists), or (e) Conflict/Behavior of Law Theory (can discuss multiple theorists).”
This Professor is particularly… particular. He made it very clear that the main focus needs to be on the theory we choose, and not the book. References to the book are necessary; however, he said they’re more-so meant to support the theory we choose, as well as the theory being somewhat of a potential explanation for the book.
I have included files that my professor uploaded as instructions/guidance for our essay. I think the most useful one may be the one titled “Writing Assignment.docx”, as a rubric is included towards the end of the document. In addition, as mentioned above, whatever theory you choose, I have documentation to support it that I did not include. I did not want to overwhelm with document uploads. I can send over any additional support documentation to whichever theory you choose! I did not pick a theory, as I figured the writer would like full creative reign.
