Griselda Blanco

The research paper requires students to select a famous criminal and explain their offending
using one (or more) criminological theories. Criminals can be real or fictional. For example, the
essay could explain the offending of Al Capone (a real mobster) or Tony Soprano (a fictional
mobster). A summary of the criminological theory or theories being applied as well as a
description of how the theory explains the offending is essential. When writing your paper, you
should provide a brief background to the criminal you are discussing. The majority of your paper
should apply the criminological theory(ies) to the criminal offending. You should provide your own
critical analysis of how this particular theory explains the individual’s conduct. This may mean
discussing any justifications that the criminal gave for their offending, something from their background (perhaps childhood experiences or the like), or from their actual conduct when
committing their crime(s). These are just examples.
Students must write between 1800-2200 words. Submissions below 1800 words will not meet the
minimum requirement to pass the essay. Penalties for exceeding 2200 words will be calculated
at 5% deducted from the final grade for every 10% or part thereof of the word count that is
exceeded. This means that a penalty is deducted as soon as the word count is exceeded. Word
counts include in-text references but not bibliographies or cover pages. Late submissions will be
penalized at 5% for every 24 hour period after the deadline that work is late. This means that the
first 5% is lost in the first 24 hours a submission is late.
Papers should be written in 12 point, Times New Roman with 1.5 line spacing. A cover page with
the student’s details and the total word count (excluding bibliography) is required. Include a cover
page with your name, the class, and the total word count. The paper will also require a reference
list/ bibliography of the works cited in the paper. References should be in the Chicago (authordate) Style.
This is a research essay, and independent research (beyond the textbook) is necessary. There
must be a minimum of 10 academic sources. These are peer-reviewed, scholarly sources.
Sources such as news websites, Wikipedia, and similar do not count towards the 10 required
sources. Sources that discuss the criminal you discuss will probably not be scholarly but should
be included. In other words, you will have non-academic sources (though credible: news articles, investigative reporting) in addition to the 10 academic sources. Your academic sources will
address the particular criminological theory you are applying. I am very, very happy to look over
your reference list before submission to ensure you have found academic sources. You can NOT
pass this paper without using academic sources.