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CJUS 500 Article Critique Guidelines

This document provides instructions for students to complete an article critique assignment in a criminal justice course. Students are asked to critique two peer-reviewed journal articles on various criminal justice topics by analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each article. Critiques must be 4-7 pages long using APA format and include a discussion of the articles from a Christian worldview perspective. Students will complete three article critiques on the topics of ethics in policing, historical Supreme Court cases, and arguments for and against prison privatization. Critiques must follow a provided template and address specific questions for each topic.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
680 views2 pages

CJUS 500 Article Critique Guidelines

This document provides instructions for students to complete an article critique assignment in a criminal justice course. Students are asked to critique two peer-reviewed journal articles on various criminal justice topics by analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each article. Critiques must be 4-7 pages long using APA format and include a discussion of the articles from a Christian worldview perspective. Students will complete three article critiques on the topics of ethics in policing, historical Supreme Court cases, and arguments for and against prison privatization. Critiques must follow a provided template and address specific questions for each topic.

Uploaded by

Pablo Va
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CJUS 500

ARTICLE CRITIQUE ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS


OVERVIEW
Students will systematically and objectively critique criminal justice-related research articles to
understand published research. Students will critique the strengths and weaknesses of peer-
reviewed journal articles and carefully analyze arguments and points in the article. Students will
develop the technical writing skill of critiquing while furthering critical thinking application and
knowledge of the topics investigated. Students will incorporate and apply a Christian worldview
perspective to each topic and article critique assignment.
INSTRUCTIONS
 4-7 pages excluding the title page, abstract, and reference pages.
 Current APA format.
 Minimum of two (2) peer-reviewed journal articles from Liberty University library.
 Acceptable sources (peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5-10 years only).
 Include a critique of least two (2) strengths and two (2) weaknesses from each article.
 Include a Christian and Biblical Worldview perspective.
This assignment requires that students follow a template. Students must review and follow the
template carefully. Students must include a running header, title page, abstract (between 120-250
words), proper APA headings/subheadings and a reference page. Please note that students are
asked not to change or omit any of the bold headings that are already in the template. Students
are only asked to insert their written content into the appropriate sections of the template.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the SafeAssign plagiarism tool.

Article Critique:  Police Ethnocentricity, Subculture, and Historical Evolution Assignment 

Locate two (2) peer-reviewed articles no older than 5-10 years about ethics in policing
administration. Provide an in-depth discussion of the findings in each article.
 Based on your critique of the literary pieces, what might an ethical organization look like?
 Specify the characteristics of training, leadership, and employees that might be expected in
an ethical police organization.
 Review the biblical themes in the presentation titled: “Police Ethnocentricity, Subculture,
and Historical Evolution” found in the Module 2 Reading & Study folder.
 Discuss some of the challenges associated with organizations that are replete with
corruption like racism and discrimination from a Christian and Biblical worldview.

Article Critique: Dual-Court System and Roles of Courtroom Workgroup Assignment

Locate two (2) peer-reviewed articles no older than 5-10 years that discuss 2 historical Supreme
Court cases and review the presentation titled: “Dual-Court System and Roles of Courtroom
Workgroup” found in the Module 4 Reading & Study folder. This historical case law choice is
limited to search and seizure, stop and frisk, searches for evidence, or police interrogation
CJUS 500

and confessions. Chosen articles do not have to be on the same topic although they may be.
Students will find articles related to case law on the aforementioned topics but will not consider
articles merely discussing the case law itself. Students will provide an in-depth discussion of the
findings of each article. With respect to the specific case law you have analyzed, defend
constitutional democracy and the issues raised in case law from a Christian and Biblical
worldview.

Article Critique: Correctional Goals and Prison Privatization Assignment


Locate two (2) peer-reviewed articles no older than 5-10 years that discuss American prison
privatization. One article must present arguments advocating for American prison privatization
and the second article must present arguments against American prison privatization. Provide a
critique of each author’s position on the privatization of prisons. Review the presentation titled:
“Correctional Goals and Prison Privatization” found in the Module 6 Reading & Study folder.
From a Christian and Biblical worldview, critique the current state of private prisons in America
and present a clear argument on how to fix the system.

Common questions

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A Christian and Biblical worldview would critique the current state of private prisons by focusing on the moral and ethical implications of profit-driven incarceration, which often conflicts with principles of restoration and human dignity . Reform could involve reorienting the goals of the correctional system toward rehabilitation rather than profit, ensuring that policies and practices reflect compassion, justice, and restorative principles found within Biblical teachings. This may include increased oversight, transparency, and accountability, as well as developing programs aimed at improving inmates' lives, reducing recidivism, and restoring community relations .

A Christian worldview informs the discussion about correctional goals by emphasizing the values of redemption, forgiveness, and restoration, which contrast with punitive approaches. Correctional goals should incorporate rehabilitation and restorative justice principles that promote personal transformation and redemption . This worldview advocates for systems that support inmates' moral and spiritual development, aiming to reconcile them with society through corrective measures that reflect God’s justice and mercy. The goal is not only to punish but to heal and reintegrate individuals as productive members of society .

A Christian and Biblical worldview emphasizes principles such as justice, truth, and equality, which are foundational to addressing issues of corruption like racism and discrimination in police organizations. From this perspective, organizations should strive to reflect God's impartiality and justice by establishing transparent policies that promote racial and ethnic equality and by developing leadership that upholds ethical standards rooted in Biblical teachings. In doing so, the organization would aim to correct unethical behaviors and foster a culture of integrity. Evidently, this could involve reshaping policies to ensure they align with moral and ethical Christian values, thereby promoting fairness and justice for all individuals irrespective of race .

Reforms suggested in the peer-reviewed articles include increased government oversight of private prisons to ensure compliance with humane practices and transparency . Another strength of privatization is the potential reduction of costs for the government if effectively managed. However, weaknesses include prioritizing profit over prisoner welfare, which can compromise rehabilitation efforts. Potential reforms, therefore, involve reconciling economic efficiency with humane treatment through stringent contractual obligations mandating rehabilitation programs and adherence to ethical standards under government oversight and community transparency .

Combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications in the critique of criminal justice policies leads to more comprehensive analyses that consider both the underlying principles and real-world implications . This synthesis allows for better-designed policies that are informed by evidence-based research and grounded in practical realities, improving outcomes and implementation processes within the criminal justice system. Moreover, it enables critical assessments that can identify gaps between theory and practice, potentially transforming policies to align with ethical standards and effective law enforcement strategies .

The historical evolution of police subculture has profoundly impacted current ethical standards in policing by entrenching certain attitudes and practices, such as solidarity and loyalty to the force, which may conflict with ethical transparency and accountability . While these attributes can foster camaraderie, they can also create environments where misconduct is ignored or covered up. To align with contemporary ethical standards, police culture must evolve to prioritize community engagement, diversity, and accountability, encouraging officers to act in ways that reflect societal values of justice and equity .

Training in an ethical police organization should emphasize the importance of ethical decision-making, cultural sensitivity, and adherence to legal standards. Leadership should embody integrity, transparency, and accountability, setting a strong ethical example for the entire department . Employees should be selected and evaluated based on their commitment to ethical principles, capacity for empathy, and ability to hold themselves and others accountable. Furthermore, an ethical police organization should have periodic evaluations of its ethics plan to ensure long-term commitment to ethical conduct across all levels .

Ethical and constitutional challenges arising from search, seizure, and interrogation policies include maintaining the balance between public safety and individual rights. Case law shows discrepancies in how these policies are applied, potentially leading to racial profiling or discrimination, which can undermine public trust in legal systems . Ethical concerns also involve the potential for coercive interrogation techniques that may violate the constitutional rights of individuals, particularly the Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination. Addressing these challenges requires robust policies that safeguard civil liberties while allowing law enforcement to effectively perform their duties .

A strength frequently discussed is the development of comprehensive ethical guidelines that inform the decision-making processes within police administration, ultimately fostering accountability and transparency . Another strength is the emphasis on ethical training for officers, ensuring they understand the moral implications of their actions. However, a notable weakness is the persistence of systemic biases that can undermine ethical standards, as these biases often go unchallenged within organizational cultures . Additionally, there is the challenge of enforcing ethical policies consistently, as discrepancies in enforcement can lead to ethical breaches being overlooked or inadequately addressed .

From a Biblical perspective, challenges in maintaining dual-court systems include ensuring equality and justice for all parties involved, as God’s justice is impartial and transcends human systems. Historical Supreme Court cases often reflect conflicts between federal and state jurisdictions, complicating the pursuit of fair outcomes . Additionally, the dual-court systems may perpetuate inconsistencies and hinder the delivery of true justice when state and federal laws differ significantly. Harmonizing these systems in line with Biblical principles entails advocating for laws that align with justice and truth, ensuring both systems work collectively to uphold the constitutional rights of every individual without bias .

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