This assignment should be constructed as an academic essay with cohesive paragraphs. Your paper will be divided into 4 sections reflecting your knowledge of the book and comparing the events of the book to course content. The requirements of the 4 sections are delineated below. Be sure to include subject headings that indicate each requisite section.
a. Section 1: In the first section of your paper you need to offer a brief synopsis of the book. This section should be no longer than 1.5 – 2 pages. While you need to illustrate that you’ve read the book, it is not necessary to cover absolutely every detail. Focus on the main characters portrayed in the book and major events as they pertain to course content. Be sure to offer a brief history of why the gang was formed or the impetus.
b. Section 2: Section 2 will focus primarily on demographic qualities of the gang portrayed in the book. This section should address the following questions in essay format.
i. What was the primary racial or ethnic group of the gang portrayed in the book? Compare and contrast the race and/or ethnicity of the gang portrayed in the bookto the published data available on the racial and ethnic variations of modern gangs in America.
ii. What was the primary gender of the gang portrayed in the book? In other words, were the gang members in the book primarily male or female? Compare and contrast the primary gender of the gang portrayed in the book to the published data available on gender variations of modern gangs in America. Be sure to outline the primary role of females.
iii. What was the location (city and state) of the gang portrayed in the book? Compare and contrast the location of the gang portrayed in the book to the published data available on geographic variations of modern gangs in America. In other words, are the majority of gangs in major metropolitan areas? What state in the US has the highest rates of gang violence?
iv. What was the estimated population of the gang portrayed in the book? Compare and contrast the estimated population of the gang portrayed in the book to the published data available on the average population of modern gangs in America.
v. What was the typical age range of the gang members portrayed in the book? Compare and contrast the typical of the gang members portrayed in the book to the published data available on age of modern gangs members in America.
vi. Was the gang portrayed in the book a youth gang, prison gang, or outlaw motorcycle gang (or a hybrid version)?
c. Section 3: Section 3 will focus primarily on power structure, subcultural qualities, and criminal activities of the gang portrayed in the book. This section should address the following questions in essay format.
i. What was the power structure of the gang portrayed in the book? In other words, how were the members organized, and what were the methods of moving up in rank? Compare and contrast the power structure of the gang portrayed in the book to available on the typical power structure of modern gangs in America.
ii. What were the criminal enterprises or activities of the gang portrayed in the book? Was the gang affiliated with any major drug cartels? Compare and contrast the criminal enterprises of the gang portrayed in the bookto the published data available on common criminal activities modern gangs in America.
iii. What were some of the subcultures qualities of the gang portrayed in the book? Was there a color or type of clothing, unique hand signals, language, dances, or graffiti affiliated with the gang in the book?
d. Section 4: Section 4 will focus primarily on theoretical explanations, socio/cultural factors, and legal justice responses to the gang portrayed in the book. This section should address the following questions in essay format.
i. Which criminological theory best explains the participation in the gang portrayed in the book? In chapter 7 of your main text the authors outline several criminological theories that may explain gang involvement. Given the content of the book, which theory is most applicable when attempting to explain gang involvement as portrayed in the book? Be sure to explain your response.
ii. Which socio/cultural factor best explains the participation in the gang portrayed in thebook? In chapter 8 of your main text the authors outline several social factors that may explain gang involvement. Given the content of the book, which factor is most applicable when attempting to explain gang involvement as portrayed in the book? Be sure to explain your response.
iii. What were the legal responses and intervention efforts portrayed in the book? Were these efforts effective? Why or why not? What branches of the criminal justice system were involved (police, courts, corrections)? What local, state, or federal agencies where involved? What were the eventual outcomes of such efforts?
iv. Given what you’ve learned in the course, list and explain in detail policy implications that may effectively reduce gang violence in the United States. In other words, what efforts (either reactive or proactive) could police, courts, corrections, educators, and social service providers take that may reduce gang violence.
