Crime over Time: A Two-Part Assignment on Temporal Changes in Crime Rates

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...

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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):

1. Demonstrate understanding of various explanations of crime patterns over time, including how they overlap and diverge.
2. Use empirical data to answer questions about crime patterns over time, and apply explanations to observed patterns.
3. Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of data sources and criminological explanations.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. 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.
2. The written assignment requires students to report empirical patterns, compare empirical patterns, and apply explanations learned during the jigsaw activity.
3. 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.