Criminology and the Real World-
Applying Criminological Theory to the Adnan Syed Case
Overview
The Criminology and the Real World assignment will span the
length of the semester. You are required to listen to the Serial
Podcast (https://serialpodcast.org/season-one). The podcast is
comprised of 12 episodes detailing the murder of Hae Min Lee
and the arrest, trial and conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan
Syed. The podcast is available for free. Each part of the
assignment will build upon the previous part.
Connection to Objectives
This assignment addresses several of the Learning Objectives
detailed. Specifically, your ability to assign crimes to specific
theories and to evaluate a criminological theory to a real world
case.
Rationale
The purpose of criminology is to explain crime and criminal
behavior. Oftentimes theories are categorized within a law
making, law breaking or law enforcing framework. Additionally,
theories often emerge from schools of criminological thought
that developed since the 18th century. Each theory has clear
assumptions about human behavior and propositions regarding
criminal behavior. One difficulty students often have with
criminology as a discipline is the ability to “see” it in practice
and to understand its practical applications and real-world
utility.
The Criminology and the Real World assignment affords students
the opportunity to learn about a case that occurred near Towson
University and also research several theories of choice and
therefore help contextualized the role of criminology in everyday
life.
Part 1-Description of the crime, the main players and the facts of
the case
Part 2-Demonstrate the knowledge of the theories of criminology
and show how they may be used to explain criminal behavior in
the real world. Continued illustration of theory knowledge, the
facts and players of the case and applying theory. This part also
has students provide reflection on the assignment.
Instructions
Below are instructions and related questions for Part 1 of the
assignment. You are to answer all the questions to the best of
your ability. You are to use the class text and class notes to help
you frame your answers. Please be mindful of citations and if
using cites and references use APA style. Let me know if you
have any questions about the assignment or individual parts.
Online Assignment Part 1 (25 points)
Your submission should be a Word Doc (.doc or .docx) or a text
file. The formatting of the document is your choice since I
require a minimum word count as opposed to page count. Your
assignment should be saved with your name (for example-
antunesOA1- 5 pts). You are to submit the file via SafeAssign by
the due date provided below. In terms of the originality report in
SafeAssign be sure to aim for below 12%. Please answer the
following questions with respect to the Serial Podcast. Ensure
that you answer all questions to the best of your ability.
1. In no less than 700 words (2.5 pts) please thoroughly
summarize the podcast “Serial”. Be sure to address the
following:
a. Describe the main characters and how they fit into the
plot (5 pts)
b. Describe the crime including the who, what, where
and how. (5 pts)
c. Be sure to include any aims or goals asserted at the
beginning of the podcast in addition to any conclusions
that were drawn (2.5 pts)
2. Why is the podcast relevant to the study of criminal
behavior? What do you believe the podcast contributes to
this class? (350 words) (5 pts)
Online Assignment Part 2 (30 points)
Your submission should be a Word Doc (.doc or .docx) or a text
file. The formatting of the document is your choice since I
require a minimum word count as opposed to page count. Your
assignment should be saved with your name (for example-
antunesOA2- 5 pts). You are to submit the file via SafeAssign by
the due date provided below. In terms of the originality report in
SafeAssign be sure to aim for below 12%. Please answer the
following questions with respect to the Serial Podcast. Ensure
that you answer all questions to the best of your ability.
1. If Adnan Syed was guilty of murdering Hae Min Lee, what
criminological theory do you believe would explain his
behavior? Please:
a. describe your theory of choice (no less than 350
words- 2.5 pts); (7.5 pts)
b. Explain why this theory applies to the Syed-Hae
murder (no less than 200 words- 2.5 pts) (10 pts)
2. Who do you believe killed Hae? (Do not choose Adnan,
please). Choose a criminological theory to explain your
suspect’s behavior. Make sure to clearly define your theory,
describe all the relevant parts of the theory and why you
believe it explains the behavior. Do not choose the same
theory as the one you applied to Adnan. Your answer should
be no less than 300 words, please (2 pts). (7.5pts)
Online Assignment Part 3 (35 points)
Your submission should be a Word Doc (.doc or .docx) or a text
file. The formatting of the document is your choice since I
require a minimum word count as opposed to page count. Your
assignment should be saved with your name (for example-
antunesOA3- 5 pts). You are to submit the file via SafeAssign by
the due date provided below. In terms of the originality report in
SafeAssign be sure to aim for below 12%. Please answer the
following questions with respect to the Serial Podcast. Ensure
that you answer all questions to the best of your ability.
1. What criminological theory could explain why Hae was
killed? Keep in mind that you are to analyze Hae’s murder
from her perspective.
a. describe your theory of choice (no less than 350
words- 2.5 pts); (5 pts)
b. Explain why this theory applies to Hae’s murder from
her perspective (no less than 200 words- 2.5 pts) (7.5
pts)
2. What advice would you give a student who was asked to
listen to the podcast? (2.5 pts)
3. What questions would you add to the online assignment
that you feel would be relevant? (2.5 pts)
4. What was your favorite part of the Online Assignments you
were asked to complete this semester? Please be sure to
answer this question in no less than 200 words. (5 pts)
5. Did the podcast change your perception of the Criminal
Justice System? Why or why not? Make sure to use no less
than 350 words to answer the question. (7.5pts)
Deliverables
All assignments are to be submitted by the due date via
SafeAssign in a Word document. I know some of you may have
Macs. Please make sure that whatever word processing program
you use that it is PC compatible. You are free to choose your
formatting but the file itself must contain your name
