ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Select a criminal gang activity that is taking place in a foreign country and provide an in-depth and detailed description of it.
In the final paper, students must define, describe, and explain the activity in as much depth and detail as possible.
2. Pose a research question about your criminal gang activity.
Students must pose a RESEARCH QUESTION about the criminal gang activity that in some way or other relates it to ANTI-GANG POLICIES within that country.
Students want to ask a question that will allow them to broaden their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of the criminal gang activity and how it relates to the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. Therefore, students want to ensure that the question they are asking is broad enough so that it allows them to carry out extensive research on their topic.
3. Carry out your research in order to answer your research question.
Students will be expected to draw on a WIDE variety of academic and “grey literature” resources to learn as much as they can about their criminal gang activity, the country in which it takes place, and the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. The ultimate goal of carrying out this research is in order to answer the research question.
ACADEMIC sources include PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES and BOOKS that are published by REPUTABLE ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS (i.e. University of Toronto Press, Ashgate, etc.). In terms of books, a good rule of thumb is that if it can be found in UOIT’s library, and if it is written by academics (not self-help or pop psychology-type books), then it is likely an acceptable scholarly book.
GREY LITERATURE sources can include government documents (parliamentary debates, policy briefs, policy documents), police reports, official websites, and articles from reputable newspapers. However, students are advised to view these sources with a critical eye. They should be used to augment or supplement more rigorous academic sources rather than to replace it. Above all, please avoid sites like Wikipedia, yahoo, and web blogs. These are perfectly fine for starting out (I encourage you to use them initially- and you will find that I draw on them for lectures from time to time) but they are NOT acceptable for the final paper. Please see me if you need clarification with any specific sources.
4. Develop a social scientific argument (THESIS).
After completing their research and learning as much as they can about criminal gang activity in their foreign country, and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES there, students should have broadened their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the point that they can now advance an analytical ARGUMENT. Their argument must similarly address both their criminal gang activity of choice and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES in their chosen country. In the same way that students have wide discretion over what type of research question they ask, they also have wide range of discretion over what type of argument they advance. However, their argument must in some way draw on SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC THEORY. Consequently, students are welcome to draw on course materials (course readings) and/or outside ACADEMIC sources that particularly speak to theories about criminal gangs (which we will be covering extensively in the course). Alternatively, students can draw on broader social scientific theories and APPLY them their criminal gang activity themselves.ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Select a criminal gang activity that is taking place in a foreign country and provide an in-depth and detailed description of it.
In the final paper, students must define, describe, and explain the activity in as much depth and detail as possible.
2. Pose a research question about your criminal gang activity.
Students must pose a RESEARCH QUESTION about the criminal gang activity that in some way or other relates it to ANTI-GANG POLICIES within that country.
Students want to ask a question that will allow them to broaden their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of the criminal gang activity and how it relates to the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. Therefore, students want to ensure that the question they are asking is broad enough so that it allows them to carry out extensive research on their topic.
3. Carry out your research in order to answer your research question.
Students will be expected to draw on a WIDE variety of academic and “grey literature” resources to learn as much as they can about their criminal gang activity, the country in which it takes place, and the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. The ultimate goal of carrying out this research is in order to answer the research question.
ACADEMIC sources include PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES and BOOKS that are published by REPUTABLE ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS (i.e. University of Toronto Press, Ashgate, etc.). In terms of books, a good rule of thumb is that if it can be found in UOIT’s library, and if it is written by academics (not self-help or pop psychology-type books), then it is likely an acceptable scholarly book.
GREY LITERATURE sources can include government documents (parliamentary debates, policy briefs, policy documents), police reports, official websites, and articles from reputable newspapers. However, students are advised to view these sources with a critical eye. They should be used to augment or supplement more rigorous academic sources rather than to replace it. Above all, please avoid sites like Wikipedia, yahoo, and web blogs. These are perfectly fine for starting out (I encourage you to use them initially- and you will find that I draw on them for lectures from time to time) but they are NOT acceptable for the final paper. Please see me if you need clarification with any specific sources.
4. Develop a social scientific argument (THESIS).
After completing their research and learning as much as they can about criminal gang activity in their foreign country, and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES there, students should have broadened their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the point that they can now advance an analytical ARGUMENT. Their argument must similarly address both their criminal gang activity of choice and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES in their chosen country. In the same way that students have wide discretion over what type of research question they ask, they also have wide range of discretion over what type of argument they advance. However, their argument must in some way draw on SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC THEORY. Consequently, students are welcome to draw on course materials (course readings) and/or outside ACADEMIC sources that particularly speak to theories about criminal gangs (which we will be covering extensively in the course). Alternatively, students can draw on broader social scientific theories and APPLY them their criminal gang activity themselves.ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Select a criminal gang activity that is taking place in a foreign country and provide an in-depth and detailed description of it.
In the final paper, students must define, describe, and explain the activity in as much depth and detail as possible.
2. Pose a research question about your criminal gang activity.
Students must pose a RESEARCH QUESTION about the criminal gang activity that in some way or other relates it to ANTI-GANG POLICIES within that country.
Students want to ask a question that will allow them to broaden their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of the criminal gang activity and how it relates to the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. Therefore, students want to ensure that the question they are asking is broad enough so that it allows them to carry out extensive research on their topic.
3. Carry out your research in order to answer your research question.
Students will be expected to draw on a WIDE variety of academic and “grey literature” resources to learn as much as they can about their criminal gang activity, the country in which it takes place, and the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. The ultimate goal of carrying out this research is in order to answer the research question.
ACADEMIC sources include PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES and BOOKS that are published by REPUTABLE ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS (i.e. University of Toronto Press, Ashgate, etc.). In terms of books, a good rule of thumb is that if it can be found in UOIT’s library, and if it is written by academics (not self-help or pop psychology-type books), then it is likely an acceptable scholarly book.
GREY LITERATURE sources can include government documents (parliamentary debates, policy briefs, policy documents), police reports, official websites, and articles from reputable newspapers. However, students are advised to view these sources with a critical eye. They should be used to augment or supplement more rigorous academic sources rather than to replace it. Above all, please avoid sites like Wikipedia, yahoo, and web blogs. These are perfectly fine for starting out (I encourage you to use them initially- and you will find that I draw on them for lectures from time to time) but they are NOT acceptable for the final paper. Please see me if you need clarification with any specific sources.
4. Develop a social scientific argument (THESIS).
After completing their research and learning as much as they can about criminal gang activity in their foreign country, and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES there, students should have broadened their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the point that they can now advance an analytical ARGUMENT. Their argument must similarly address both their criminal gang activity of choice and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES in their chosen country. In the same way that students have wide discretion over what type of research question they ask, they also have wide range of discretion over what type of argument they advance. However, their argument must in some way draw on SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC THEORY. Consequently, students are welcome to draw on course materials (course readings) and/or outside ACADEMIC sources that particularly speak to theories about criminal gangs (which we will be covering extensively in the course). Alternatively, students can draw on broader social scientific theories and APPLY them their criminal gang activity themselves.ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Select a criminal gang activity that is taking place in a foreign country and provide an in-depth and detailed description of it.
In the final paper, students must define, describe, and explain the activity in as much depth and detail as possible.
2. Pose a research question about your criminal gang activity.
Students must pose a RESEARCH QUESTION about the criminal gang activity that in some way or other relates it to ANTI-GANG POLICIES within that country.
Students want to ask a question that will allow them to broaden their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of the criminal gang activity and how it relates to the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. Therefore, students want to ensure that the question they are asking is broad enough so that it allows them to carry out extensive research on their topic.
3. Carry out your research in order to answer your research question.
Students will be expected to draw on a WIDE variety of academic and “grey literature” resources to learn as much as they can about their criminal gang activity, the country in which it takes place, and the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. The ultimate goal of carrying out this research is in order to answer the research question.
ACADEMIC sources include PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES and BOOKS that are published by REPUTABLE ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS (i.e. University of Toronto Press, Ashgate, etc.). In terms of books, a good rule of thumb is that if it can be found in UOIT’s library, and if it is written by academics (not self-help or pop psychology-type books), then it is likely an acceptable scholarly book.
GREY LITERATURE sources can include government documents (parliamentary debates, policy briefs, policy documents), police reports, official websites, and articles from reputable newspapers. However, students are advised to view these sources with a critical eye. They should be used to augment or supplement more rigorous academic sources rather than to replace it. Above all, please avoid sites like Wikipedia, yahoo, and web blogs. These are perfectly fine for starting out (I encourage you to use them initially- and you will find that I draw on them for lectures from time to time) but they are NOT acceptable for the final paper. Please see me if you need clarification with any specific sources.
4. Develop a social scientific argument (THESIS).
After completing their research and learning as much as they can about criminal gang activity in their foreign country, and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES there, students should have broadened their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the point that they can now advance an analytical ARGUMENT. Their argument must similarly address both their criminal gang activity of choice and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES in their chosen country. In the same way that students have wide discretion over what type of research question they ask, they also have wide range of discretion over what type of argument they advance. However, their argument must in some way draw on SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC THEORY. Consequently, students are welcome to draw on course materials (course readings) and/or outside ACADEMIC sources that particularly speak to theories about criminal gangs (which we will be covering extensively in the course). Alternatively, students can draw on broader social scientific theories and APPLY them their criminal gang activity themselves.ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Select a criminal gang activity that is taking place in a foreign country and provide an in-depth and detailed description of it.
In the final paper, students must define, describe, and explain the activity in as much depth and detail as possible.
2. Pose a research question about your criminal gang activity.
Students must pose a RESEARCH QUESTION about the criminal gang activity that in some way or other relates it to ANTI-GANG POLICIES within that country.
Students want to ask a question that will allow them to broaden their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of the criminal gang activity and how it relates to the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. Therefore, students want to ensure that the question they are asking is broad enough so that it allows them to carry out extensive research on their topic.
3. Carry out your research in order to answer your research question.
Students will be expected to draw on a WIDE variety of academic and “grey literature” resources to learn as much as they can about their criminal gang activity, the country in which it takes place, and the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. The ultimate goal of carrying out this research is in order to answer the research question.
ACADEMIC sources include PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES and BOOKS that are published by REPUTABLE ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS (i.e. University of Toronto Press, Ashgate, etc.). In terms of books, a good rule of thumb is that if it can be found in UOIT’s library, and if it is written by academics (not self-help or pop psychology-type books), then it is likely an acceptable scholarly book.
GREY LITERATURE sources can include government documents (parliamentary debates, policy briefs, policy documents), police reports, official websites, and articles from reputable newspapers. However, students are advised to view these sources with a critical eye. They should be used to augment or supplement more rigorous academic sources rather than to replace it. Above all, please avoid sites like Wikipedia, yahoo, and web blogs. These are perfectly fine for starting out (I encourage you to use them initially- and you will find that I draw on them for lectures from time to time) but they are NOT acceptable for the final paper. Please see me if you need clarification with any specific sources.
4. Develop a social scientific argument (THESIS).
After completing their research and learning as much as they can about criminal gang activity in their foreign country, and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES there, students should have broadened their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the point that they can now advance an analytical ARGUMENT. Their argument must similarly address both their criminal gang activity of choice and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES in their chosen country. In the same way that students have wide discretion over what type of research question they ask, they also have wide range of discretion over what type of argument they advance. However, their argument must in some way draw on SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC THEORY. Consequently, students are welcome to draw on course materials (course readings) and/or outside ACADEMIC sources that particularly speak to theories about criminal gangs (which we will be covering extensively in the course). Alternatively, students can draw on broader social scientific theories and APPLY them their criminal gang activity themselves.ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Select a criminal gang activity that is taking place in a foreign country and provide an in-depth and detailed description of it.
In the final paper, students must define, describe, and explain the activity in as much depth and detail as possible.
2. Pose a research question about your criminal gang activity.
Students must pose a RESEARCH QUESTION about the criminal gang activity that in some way or other relates it to ANTI-GANG POLICIES within that country.
Students want to ask a question that will allow them to broaden their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of the criminal gang activity and how it relates to the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. Therefore, students want to ensure that the question they are asking is broad enough so that it allows them to carry out extensive research on their topic.
3. Carry out your research in order to answer your research question.
Students will be expected to draw on a WIDE variety of academic and “grey literature” resources to learn as much as they can about their criminal gang activity, the country in which it takes place, and the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. The ultimate goal of carrying out this research is in order to answer the research question.
ACADEMIC sources include PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES and BOOKS that are published by REPUTABLE ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS (i.e. University of Toronto Press, Ashgate, etc.). In terms of books, a good rule of thumb is that if it can be found in UOIT’s library, and if it is written by academics (not self-help or pop psychology-type books), then it is likely an acceptable scholarly book.
GREY LITERATURE sources can include government documents (parliamentary debates, policy briefs, policy documents), police reports, official websites, and articles from reputable newspapers. However, students are advised to view these sources with a critical eye. They should be used to augment or supplement more rigorous academic sources rather than to replace it. Above all, please avoid sites like Wikipedia, yahoo, and web blogs. These are perfectly fine for starting out (I encourage you to use them initially- and you will find that I draw on them for lectures from time to time) but they are NOT acceptable for the final paper. Please see me if you need clarification with any specific sources.
4. Develop a social scientific argument (THESIS).
After completing their research and learning as much as they can about criminal gang activity in their foreign country, and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES there, students should have broadened their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the point that they can now advance an analytical ARGUMENT. Their argument must similarly address both their criminal gang activity of choice and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES in their chosen country. In the same way that students have wide discretion over what type of research question they ask, they also have wide range of discretion over what type of argument they advance. However, their argument must in some way draw on SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC THEORY. Consequently, students are welcome to draw on course materials (course readings) and/or outside ACADEMIC sources that particularly speak to theories about criminal gangs (which we will be covering extensively in the course). Alternatively, students can draw on broader social scientific theories and APPLY them their criminal gang activity themselves.ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Select a criminal gang activity that is taking place in a foreign country and provide an in-depth and detailed description of it.
In the final paper, students must define, describe, and explain the activity in as much depth and detail as possible.
2. Pose a research question about your criminal gang activity.
Students must pose a RESEARCH QUESTION about the criminal gang activity that in some way or other relates it to ANTI-GANG POLICIES within that country.
Students want to ask a question that will allow them to broaden their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of the criminal gang activity and how it relates to the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. Therefore, students want to ensure that the question they are asking is broad enough so that it allows them to carry out extensive research on their topic.
3. Carry out your research in order to answer your research question.
Students will be expected to draw on a WIDE variety of academic and “grey literature” resources to learn as much as they can about their criminal gang activity, the country in which it takes place, and the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. The ultimate goal of carrying out this research is in order to answer the research question.
ACADEMIC sources include PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES and BOOKS that are published by REPUTABLE ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS (i.e. University of Toronto Press, Ashgate, etc.). In terms of books, a good rule of thumb is that if it can be found in UOIT’s library, and if it is written by academics (not self-help or pop psychology-type books), then it is likely an acceptable scholarly book.
GREY LITERATURE sources can include government documents (parliamentary debates, policy briefs, policy documents), police reports, official websites, and articles from reputable newspapers. However, students are advised to view these sources with a critical eye. They should be used to augment or supplement more rigorous academic sources rather than to replace it. Above all, please avoid sites like Wikipedia, yahoo, and web blogs. These are perfectly fine for starting out (I encourage you to use them initially- and you will find that I draw on them for lectures from time to time) but they are NOT acceptable for the final paper. Please see me if you need clarification with any specific sources.
4. Develop a social scientific argument (THESIS).
After completing their research and learning as much as they can about criminal gang activity in their foreign country, and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES there, students should have broadened their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the point that they can now advance an analytical ARGUMENT. Their argument must similarly address both their criminal gang activity of choice and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES in their chosen country. In the same way that students have wide discretion over what type of research question they ask, they also have wide range of discretion over what type of argument they advance. However, their argument must in some way draw on SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC THEORY. Consequently, students are welcome to draw on course materials (course readings) and/or outside ACADEMIC sources that particularly speak to theories about criminal gangs (which we will be covering extensively in the course). Alternatively, students can draw on broader social scientific theories and APPLY them their criminal gang activity themselves.ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Select a criminal gang activity that is taking place in a foreign country and provide an in-depth and detailed description of it.
In the final paper, students must define, describe, and explain the activity in as much depth and detail as possible.
2. Pose a research question about your criminal gang activity.
Students must pose a RESEARCH QUESTION about the criminal gang activity that in some way or other relates it to ANTI-GANG POLICIES within that country.
Students want to ask a question that will allow them to broaden their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of the criminal gang activity and how it relates to the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. Therefore, students want to ensure that the question they are asking is broad enough so that it allows them to carry out extensive research on their topic.
3. Carry out your research in order to answer your research question.
Students will be expected to draw on a WIDE variety of academic and “grey literature” resources to learn as much as they can about their criminal gang activity, the country in which it takes place, and the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. The ultimate goal of carrying out this research is in order to answer the research question.
ACADEMIC sources include PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES and BOOKS that are published by REPUTABLE ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS (i.e. University of Toronto Press, Ashgate, etc.). In terms of books, a good rule of thumb is that if it can be found in UOIT’s library, and if it is written by academics (not self-help or pop psychology-type books), then it is likely an acceptable scholarly book.
GREY LITERATURE sources can include government documents (parliamentary debates, policy briefs, policy documents), police reports, official websites, and articles from reputable newspapers. However, students are advised to view these sources with a critical eye. They should be used to augment or supplement more rigorous academic sources rather than to replace it. Above all, please avoid sites like Wikipedia, yahoo, and web blogs. These are perfectly fine for starting out (I encourage you to use them initially- and you will find that I draw on them for lectures from time to time) but they are NOT acceptable for the final paper. Please see me if you need clarification with any specific sources.
4. Develop a social scientific argument (THESIS).
After completing their research and learning as much as they can about criminal gang activity in their foreign country, and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES there, students should have broadened their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the point that they can now advance an analytical ARGUMENT. Their argument must similarly address both their criminal gang activity of choice and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES in their chosen country. In the same way that students have wide discretion over what type of research question they ask, they also have wide range of discretion over what type of argument they advance. However, their argument must in some way draw on SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC THEORY. Consequently, students are welcome to draw on course materials (course readings) and/or outside ACADEMIC sources that particularly speak to theories about criminal gangs (which we will be covering extensively in the course). Alternatively, students can draw on broader social scientific theories and APPLY them their criminal gang activity themselves.ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Select a criminal gang activity that is taking place in a foreign country and provide an in-depth and detailed description of it.
In the final paper, students must define, describe, and explain the activity in as much depth and detail as possible.
2. Pose a research question about your criminal gang activity.
Students must pose a RESEARCH QUESTION about the criminal gang activity that in some way or other relates it to ANTI-GANG POLICIES within that country.
Students want to ask a question that will allow them to broaden their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of the criminal gang activity and how it relates to the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. Therefore, students want to ensure that the question they are asking is broad enough so that it allows them to carry out extensive research on their topic.
3. Carry out your research in order to answer your research question.
Students will be expected to draw on a WIDE variety of academic and “grey literature” resources to learn as much as they can about their criminal gang activity, the country in which it takes place, and the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. The ultimate goal of carrying out this research is in order to answer the research question.
ACADEMIC sources include PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES and BOOKS that are published by REPUTABLE ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS (i.e. University of Toronto Press, Ashgate, etc.). In terms of books, a good rule of thumb is that if it can be found in UOIT’s library, and if it is written by academics (not self-help or pop psychology-type books), then it is likely an acceptable scholarly book.
GREY LITERATURE sources can include government documents (parliamentary debates, policy briefs, policy documents), police reports, official websites, and articles from reputable newspapers. However, students are advised to view these sources with a critical eye. They should be used to augment or supplement more rigorous academic sources rather than to replace it. Above all, please avoid sites like Wikipedia, yahoo, and web blogs. These are perfectly fine for starting out (I encourage you to use them initially- and you will find that I draw on them for lectures from time to time) but they are NOT acceptable for the final paper. Please see me if you need clarification with any specific sources.
4. Develop a social scientific argument (THESIS).
After completing their research and learning as much as they can about criminal gang activity in their foreign country, and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES there, students should have broadened their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the point that they can now advance an analytical ARGUMENT. Their argument must similarly address both their criminal gang activity of choice and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES in their chosen country. In the same way that students have wide discretion over what type of research question they ask, they also have wide range of discretion over what type of argument they advance. However, their argument must in some way draw on SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC THEORY. Consequently, students are welcome to draw on course materials (course readings) and/or outside ACADEMIC sources that particularly speak to theories about criminal gangs (which we will be covering extensively in the course). Alternatively, students can draw on broader social scientific theories and APPLY them their criminal gang activity themselves.ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Select a criminal gang activity that is taking place in a foreign country and provide an in-depth and detailed description of it.
In the final paper, students must define, describe, and explain the activity in as much depth and detail as possible.
2. Pose a research question about your criminal gang activity.
Students must pose a RESEARCH QUESTION about the criminal gang activity that in some way or other relates it to ANTI-GANG POLICIES within that country.
Students want to ask a question that will allow them to broaden their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of the criminal gang activity and how it relates to the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. Therefore, students want to ensure that the question they are asking is broad enough so that it allows them to carry out extensive research on their topic.
3. Carry out your research in order to answer your research question.
Students will be expected to draw on a WIDE variety of academic and “grey literature” resources to learn as much as they can about their criminal gang activity, the country in which it takes place, and the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. The ultimate goal of carrying out this research is in order to answer the research question.
ACADEMIC sources include PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES and BOOKS that are published by REPUTABLE ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS (i.e. University of Toronto Press, Ashgate, etc.). In terms of books, a good rule of thumb is that if it can be found in UOIT’s library, and if it is written by academics (not self-help or pop psychology-type books), then it is likely an acceptable scholarly book.
GREY LITERATURE sources can include government documents (parliamentary debates, policy briefs, policy documents), police reports, official websites, and articles from reputable newspapers. However, students are advised to view these sources with a critical eye. They should be used to augment or supplement more rigorous academic sources rather than to replace it. Above all, please avoid sites like Wikipedia, yahoo, and web blogs. These are perfectly fine for starting out (I encourage you to use them initially- and you will find that I draw on them for lectures from time to time) but they are NOT acceptable for the final paper. Please see me if you need clarification with any specific sources.
4. Develop a social scientific argument (THESIS).
After completing their research and learning as much as they can about criminal gang activity in their foreign country, and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES there, students should have broadened their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the point that they can now advance an analytical ARGUMENT. Their argument must similarly address both their criminal gang activity of choice and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES in their chosen country. In the same way that students have wide discretion over what type of research question they ask, they also have wide range of discretion over what type of argument they advance. However, their argument must in some way draw on SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC THEORY. Consequently, students are welcome to draw on course materials (course readings) and/or outside ACADEMIC sources that particularly speak to theories about criminal gangs (which we will be covering extensively in the course). Alternatively, students can draw on broader social scientific theories and APPLY them their criminal gang activity themselves.ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Select a criminal gang activity that is taking place in a foreign country and provide an in-depth and detailed description of it.
In the final paper, students must define, describe, and explain the activity in as much depth and detail as possible.
2. Pose a research question about your criminal gang activity.
Students must pose a RESEARCH QUESTION about the criminal gang activity that in some way or other relates it to ANTI-GANG POLICIES within that country.
Students want to ask a question that will allow them to broaden their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of the criminal gang activity and how it relates to the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. Therefore, students want to ensure that the question they are asking is broad enough so that it allows them to carry out extensive research on their topic.
3. Carry out your research in order to answer your research question.
Students will be expected to draw on a WIDE variety of academic and “grey literature” resources to learn as much as they can about their criminal gang activity, the country in which it takes place, and the country’s ANTI-GANG POLICIES. The ultimate goal of carrying out this research is in order to answer the research question.
ACADEMIC sources include PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES and BOOKS that are published by REPUTABLE ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS (i.e. University of Toronto Press, Ashgate, etc.). In terms of books, a good rule of thumb is that if it can be found in UOIT’s library, and if it is written by academics (not self-help or pop psychology-type books), then it is likely an acceptable scholarly book.
GREY LITERATURE sources can include government documents (parliamentary debates, policy briefs, policy documents), police reports, official websites, and articles from reputable newspapers. However, students are advised to view these sources with a critical eye. They should be used to augment or supplement more rigorous academic sources rather than to replace it. Above all, please avoid sites like Wikipedia, yahoo, and web blogs. These are perfectly fine for starting out (I encourage you to use them initially- and you will find that I draw on them for lectures from time to time) but they are NOT acceptable for the final paper. Please see me if you need clarification with any specific sources.
4. Develop a social scientific argument (THESIS).
After completing their research and learning as much as they can about criminal gang activity in their foreign country, and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES there, students should have broadened their KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the point that they can now advance an analytical ARGUMENT. Their argument must similarly address both their criminal gang activity of choice and the ANTI-GANG POLICIES in their chosen country. In the same way that students have wide discretion over what type of research question they ask, they also have wide range of discretion over what type of argument they advance. However, their argument must in some way draw on SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC THEORY. Consequently, students are welcome to draw on course materials (course readings) and/or outside ACADEMIC sources that particularly speak to theories about criminal gangs (which we will be covering extensively in the course). Alternatively, students can draw on broader social scientific theories and APPLY them their criminal gang activity themselves.