CJ 520 Module Two Policy Analysis Memorandum Guidelines and Rubric

Overview: For this assignment, due in Module Two, you will write a policy analysis memorandum that is a minimum of one page in length, excluding title and reference pages, that explains to the supervisor of your criminal justice agency the importance of incorporating an understanding of at least two criminological theories into policymaking. Explain how your understanding of the theories would help you begin to analyze policy for how it could be improved. This memorandum will help prepare you for your Milestone One submission in Module Three.

First, review the document Criminological Theories Defined as well as the different criminological theories that are described in your text Criminological Theory. Select two theories to complete this assignment. In your reading and in your research, pay particular attention to how criminological theories have been applied in the creation or revision of departmental policies.

Next, consider the following scenario: Your supervisor needs to be convinced of the need to incorporate criminological theory into the decisions that are made regarding departmental policy-making. Write this memo for a departmental policy from one of the three following departments: law enforcement, the courts, or corrections.

Use the Memorandum Template to complete the assignment. Address the following critical elements as they are reflected in the Sample Policy Memorandum.

Prompt: These critical elements appear as headings in the Memorandum Template and must be addressed:

1. Issue Presented: In a brief one-sentence question, summarize the importance of incorporating an understanding of at least two criminological theories into the decisions that are made regarding departmental policymaking.

2. Short Answer: Provide a short answer that summarizes the conclusion of the memorandum. 3. Statement of Facts: Describe how incorporating these two criminological theories will result in more effective policymaking. 4. Discussion: Using examples from your text and from your own research, briefly discuss at least one example of a departmental policy (from law

enforcement, the courts, or corrections) that has effectively been revised to incorporate these two criminological theories. 5. Conclusion: Provide a conclusion based on the research you have done and the details you have gathered. 6. Recommendations: Recommend incorporating an understanding of at least two criminological theories into a departmental policy in one of the three

following departments: law enforcement, the courts, or corrections.

Reference your textbook or other course readings to support your submission.

For assistance in writing this memorandum, please review the Sample Policy Memorandum as well as the optional article Policy Memo Writing Tips.

Rubric Guidelines for Submission: This policy analysis memorandum assignment should follow these formatting guidelines: minimum 1 page in length (excluding title and reference pages), single spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and citations in APA style. Cite your sources within the text of your paper and on the reference page. Please use the Memorandum Template to complete this activity.

Refer to the Criminal Justice Library Tips for assistance in finding and citing outside sources.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (90%) Needs Improvement (70%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Issue Presented Meets “Proficient” criteria and question is a succinct and clear summary

Summarizes the importance of incorporating criminological theories into the decisions that are made regarding departmental policy-making

Summarizes the importance of incorporating criminological theories into the decisions that are made regarding departmental policy-making, but summary contains inaccuracies

Does not summarize the importance of incorporating criminological theories into the decisions that are made regarding departmental policy-making

5

Short Answer Meets “Proficient” criteria and short answer is a succinct and clear summary of the conclusion

Provides a short answer that summarizes the conclusion of the memorandum

Provides a short answer that summarizes the conclusion of the memorandum, but summary lacks detail or contains inaccuracies

Does not provide a short answer that summarizes the conclusion of the memorandum

5

Statement of Facts Meets “Proficient” criteria and provides clear and specific examples

Describes how incorporating criminological theories will result in more effective policy-making

Describes how incorporating criminological theories will result in more effective policy-making, but description lacks detail or contains inaccuracies

Does not describe how incorporating criminological theories will result in more effective policy-making

15

Discussion Meets “Proficient” criteria and example discussed includes accurate and relevant detail

Provides a discussion of an example of a departmental policy (from law enforcement, the courts, or corrections) that has effectively been revised to incorporate criminological theories

Provides a discussion of an example of a departmental policy (from law enforcement, courts, or corrections), but the example has not been effectively revised to incorporate criminological theories, or discussion lacks detail or contains inaccuracies

Does not provide a discussion of an example of a departmental policy (from law enforcement, the courts, or corrections) that has effectively been revised to incorporate criminological theories

20

Conclusion Meets “Proficient” criteria and conclusion is succinct and clear

Provides a conclusion based on research done and details gathered

Provides a conclusion based on research done and details gathered, but conclusion contains inaccuracies

Does not provide a conclusion based on research done and details gathered

20

Recommendatio ns

Meets “Proficient” criteria and rationale for recommendations are clear, relevant, and detailed

Recommends incorporating an understanding of criminological theories into a departmental policy in one of the three following departments: law enforcement, the courts, or

Recommends incorporating an understanding of criminological theories into a departmental policy in one of the three departments, law enforcement, the courts, or corrections, but

Does not recommend incorporating an understanding of criminological theories into a departmental policy in one of the three following departments: law

25

Articulation of Response

Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to-read format

Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization

Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas

Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas

10

100