Assignment 2: Criminology and Deviance – Case Study Analysis

Assessment Type

Case Study Analysis (Individual Submission)

Length

4–6 pages (approximately 1,500–2,000 words)

Weighting

40% of final course grade

Submission Date

Week 6 – Sunday, 11:59 PM (Local Time)

Assessment Description

This assessment requires you to critically analyse a real-world case of deviant or criminal behaviour through a criminological lens. You are expected to select one well-documented case — such as a serial offense, organized crime operation, or form of institutional deviance — and examine it using major criminological theories. Your analysis should demonstrate your ability to connect theoretical perspectives to empirical evidence, evaluate societal responses, and reflect on policy or justice system implications.

Instructions

1. Select a specific case study that demonstrates an identifiable form of deviance or criminal behaviour. Examples include:
   • The case of Bernie Madoff and white-collar crime
   • The Columbine High School shooting and youth deviance
   • Institutional abuse in correctional systems
   • Gang violence in urban contexts
2. Provide a concise summary of the case background, outlining key actors, context, and timeline.
3. Apply at least two criminological theories (e.g., Strain Theory, Social Learning Theory, Labeling Theory, or Control Theory) to interpret the deviant behaviour and its causes.
4. Critically assess how social institutions (law enforcement, media, education, policy) have shaped public understanding or management of the case.
5. Discuss broader sociological implications — such as class, race, gender, or power — evident in the case.
6. Offer recommendations or reflections on prevention, rehabilitation, or justice interventions based on your analysis.

Formatting Requirements

• APA 7th or Harvard Referencing Style
• 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font
• Double-spaced, 1-inch margins
• Include title page, page numbers, and reference list

Assessment Criteria / Marking Rubric

Criterion	Weight	Description
Case Understanding & Contextualisation	20%	Provides a clear, accurate, and relevant summary of the chosen case with strong contextual grounding.
Theoretical Application	30%	Applies criminological theories with depth and precision to explain deviant behaviour.
Critical Evaluation	25%	Assesses institutional and social responses with critical insight and evidence-based reasoning.
Structure & Coherence	15%	Demonstrates logical organisation, clarity, and academic writing proficiency.
Referencing & Presentation	10%	Uses scholarly sources appropriately, formatted to professional academic standards.

Merton’s Strain Theory provides a valuable framework for interpreting the deviant trajectory in white-collar criminality. In the case of Bernie Madoff, the pursuit of socially approved goals, wealth, prestige, and success; was pursued through illegitimate means when structural barriers restricted legitimate advancement. This tension between cultural aspiration and institutional constraint reinforces Merton’s argument that deviance arises not from individual pathology but from the social organization of opportunity. In this light, Madoff’s conduct embodies a systemic failure rather than isolated moral deviance.

Learning Outcomes

• Integrate criminological theory with case-specific evidence.
• Critically analyse deviant behaviour within sociocultural frameworks.
• Demonstrate scholarly argumentation supported by credible research.

References

1. Agnew, R. (2019). General Strain Theory and crime: A contemporary overview. Annual Review of Criminology, 2(1), 109–127. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-criminol-011518-024638

2. Becker, H. (2020). Labeling and deviance in modern contexts. Sociology Compass, 14(4), e12768. https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12768

3. Cullen, F. T., & Jonson, C. L. (2022). Correctional rehabilitation: Beyond nothing works. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429328895

4. Messner, S. F., & Rosenfeld, R. (2020). Crime and the American Dream (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.

5. Sampson, R. J. (2023). Collective efficacy theory: The social ecology of crime revisited. Annual Review of Criminology, 6, 59–81. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-criminol-030921-040418