Applying Social Disorganization and Labeling Theories

Course Activity Applying Social Disorganization and Labeling Theories This Course Activity will help you meet these educational goals: C ontent Knowledge — You will identify the different types of crime that occur in disorganized societies and determine how people label offenders as “ criminals. ” Inquiry — You will conduct online research and perform an investigation in which you will collect information, make observations, and communicate your results in written form. 21 st Century Skills — You will employ online tools for research and analysis, use critical thinking and problem solving skills, and communicate effectively. Introduction In this activity, you will make a list of the various types of criminal activities that occur in your community. Further, you will discuss the consequences of labeling an offender as a “criminal.” __________________________________________________________________________ Directions and Analysis Task 1: Identifying Crimes in Disorganized Communities Conduct research online, through public records, or other means to find which sections of your community receive faster police response time when addressing criminal activity. Examine what kind of criminal activity, on average, is happening. Examples include vandalism, domestic violence, larceny, and burglary. Prepare a slideshow presentation comparing your findings with the arguments of social disorganization. Type your response here: I live in Mexico and the maps here aren’t accurate, so I'm going to do the location of where I used to live back in Chicago. After doing my online research I can conclude that Schaumburg and Naperville get the fastest response time regarding crime. Schaumburg Naperville Theft: 8 Aggravated assault: 4 Motor vehicle theft:6 Commercial burglary:4 Burglary- commercial:1 Theft:25 Burglary- Residentisl:1 Task 2: Determining the Effects of Labeling Based on your experience, reflect on occasions where you or someone you know were labeled by people in authority, such as a teacher, police officer, parent, or judge. Make a list of phrases or actions such authoritative figures may use to label someone as a criminal. Write a short paragraph on how you, or someone you know, felt after being labeled. Type your response here: __________________________________________________________________________ I still remember when my biology teacher from 9th grade had a thing against us Hispanic people and would often refer to “ you’re guys type of people.” She would make assumptions like, “You must be involved with that group.” She would often say that whenever there was a school fight that involved Hispanic people. Moreover, she would use Stigmatizing language: "You're a problem child.” As a result, it would just make us feel less. Nonetheless, Discriminatory treatment is the Unequal application of rules or consequences. And she would always punish me more even though what I did wasn’t as bad as a person who was white. I remember her slamming the door in my face once or twice for being 2 seconds late. This feeling was not good because I was already failing that class, and I wouldn’t get the same amount of support as other students. Evaluation Your teacher will use this rubric to evaluate the completeness of your work as well as the clarity of your thinking. Total Points: 100 Task 1: Identifying Crimes in Disorganized Communities Task points: [50] conducting research about crimes in different sections of your community listing the types/examples of criminal activities and their frequencies in different localities preparing a slideshow presentation that compares your information with the arguments of the social disorganization theory Task 2: Determining the Effects of Labeling describing events in your personal life that involve instances of labeling discussing the role of authoritative figures (such as parents, teachers, and police officers) in your example of labeling listing the phrases or expressions that one could use for labeling a person as a criminal explaining your views and feelings about being labeled, and/or labeling others Task points: [50]