Abstract
This resource introduces Criminology students to various explanations of crime patterns over time, provides hands-on experience using UCR and NVCS data, and links data and theory through a scaffolded two-part assignment. Both parts require students to critically evaluate explanations of temporal patterns in crime rates. The first component is a jigsaw...Details
- Subject Area(s):
- Criminology/Delinquency
- Resource Type(s):
- Assignment
- Class Level(s):
- College 300
- Class Size(s):
- Any
Usage Notes
See attached document titled "Instructions for Instructors: Crime over Time" for full usage notes.Learning Goals and Assessments
Learning Goal(s):
- Demonstrate understanding of various explanations of crime patterns over time, including how they overlap and diverge.
- Use empirical data to answer questions about crime patterns over time, and apply explanations to observed patterns.
- Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of data sources and criminological explanations.
Goal Assessment(s):
- Jigsaw handout completion, along with pre-jigsaw quizzes and whole-class discussion (as relevant), allows for assessment of understanding, as does the final portion of the written assignment.
- The written assignment requires students to report empirical patterns, compare empirical patterns, and apply explanations learned during the jigsaw activity.
- The second half of the written assignment asks students to compare and evaluate data sources as well as explanations. Part 1, question 4 of the jigsaw activity also asks students to evaluate the explanation assigned.
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