Week 2: Essay Assignment

Instructions

  • You will pick four discussion assignments to complete during the term (essay guidelines).
  • Your essay assignment is due before the week that the theory/ies will be discussed (Sunday at 11:59 p.m.). If you wish to complete the discussion assignment for this week, please answer the following and submit it to the item titled Assignment #1 in the Essay Assignments module. If this is your second essay submission of the term, please use Assignment #2, etc.
  • Additionally, you should attempt to find a partner to peer review your essay.  I have made peer review groups to make finding a partner easier.

Topic for this week:

What is Shaw and McKay’s social disorganization theory?  As you discuss this theory and its tenets, integrate how institutionalized racism is related to the robustness of social institutions. What is Sutherland’s differential association theory?  How is social disorganization theory different from Sutherland’s differential association theory?  How did Akers extend Sutherland’s work with his social learning theory?  Be sure to integrate all the empirical support for the theories in your essay and address policy implications.