The Perception versus the Reality of Crime in the US

Abstract

This activity is an active learning exercise designed to expose the differences that exist between the perception and the reality of crime. I have used this activity in my Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Criminology, and Introduction to Criminal Justice courses. This exercise comprises of three parts. Part I is an individual task which...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Criminology/Delinquency

Resource Type(s):

Class Activity

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Medium

Usage Notes

See uploaded file.

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Goal 1: Students will be able to access, navigate, and analyze real crime data.
2. Goal 2: Students will be able to think critically about the perception and the reality of crime.
3. NA

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Assessment 1: This goal will be assessed through the student’s ability to utilize the UCR and NCVS data sources to find raw data on crime in the U.S. Students will use a hands-on approach to download, organize, and analyze crime data from these
2. Assessment 2: This goal will be assessed through the student’s ability to recognize the discrepancy between their own and others’ perception of crime and what the crime picture really looks like. By acknowledging this, students will then be asked to
3. NA