Panel presentation

Each student will participate in a panel, make a five-minute oral presentation and turn in a set of notecards and an essay question/answer (see below.) All these components must be completed to earn a grade higher than "F" in the course.

Assignment

The semester is divided into three parts, each covering a distinct set of criminological concepts and theories.  Documentary films are used for illustrative purposes.  Student panels will assist in the process of relating the films to the text and class lectures.

Panels will be comprised of up to six students.  Each panel will be assigned one film. Each student will take on a segment of the film.  Segments can represent major events, key persons or, more simply, 15-20 minutes of running time.

Students will use their film segment to illustrate an important criminological theory, concept or issue that is covered during that part of the term. Naturally there will be some overlap, so students will have to collaborate to avoid excessive duplication. Each student will be graded separately, based on their unique contribution.

Panel organization

Each panel will select a coordinator.  In addition to the normal assignment, coordinators lead the process of dividing the film into segments. They will make a record of what each panelist will cover and of the sequence, and will introduce the panel at the time of the presentation.  Coordinators will inform the instructor well before the presentation date of "who, what and when" so that necessary feedback can be given.

There is no extra credit for being a coordinator.  But they will be appreciated!

Panel presentations will take place immediately following the end of each showing, during the last forty minutes of class. Please see the schedule.

DVD's will be available for loan. There are insufficient copies for everyone, so students will have to share.  Several can also be viewed or rented through Netflix and other sources.

Presentation (10 points)

Each student will have a maximum of five minutes to orally present their work. They must follow this sequence:

• Synopsis (one or two minutes). Summarize the film segment, paying special attention to what will be used in the analysis.  Refer only to what happens in the film - don't get into theory.
   
• Analysis (three or four minutes).  First, briefly set out an important criminological theory, concept or issue from that part of the semester.  Then discuss how it applies to the film segment.

Notecards (5 points, turned in)

When presenting students must have two or three neatly formatted, hand or machine-printed, single-sided 4 X 6 notecards.  These notecards will be turned in for credit.  Each should bear the student's name and be sequentially numbered. 3 X 5 cards will NOT be accepted.

• Notecards summarize the presentation using bullet points.  Each bullet point should be comprised of one or two complete, grammatically-correct sentences.
   
• Synopsis first, then analysis
   
• Again, bullet points.  NO long paragraphs.

Here's an example:

Notecards are intended to serve as a prop for rehearsal and to serve as prompts during the actual presentation.  But PLEASE - talk to the audience. DON'T simply read your presentation - that will cost points. Notecards will be turned in for credit.

Exam question (10 points, turned in)

At the time of the presentation students will turn in one neatly formatted, hand or machine-printed, single-sided 4 X 6 notecard with one essay question and a complete answer. Answers should not require more than one side of a bluebook page.  The card should bear the student's name and, at the bottom, references to applicable pages from the text and passages from the film.

Questions are in two parts.  First briefly mention the film passage, without giving away what actually took place. Then ask respondents to describe (a) what critical things happened or were said, and (b) how these events or conversations illustrate an important criminological theory or concept covered during that portion of the course. Here is an example: One question from each panel will appear on each exam. It may be edited for clarity and accuracy. Students will choose which question to answer.  That gives each panel one advantage during the semester.

Grading

Presentations are worth 10 points. They will be graded on clarity, coverage, conciseness, originality, execution and following instructions.

Notecards are worth 5 points.  They will be graded on neatness, completeness, conciseness and following instructions.

Exam questions are worth 10 points.  They will be graded on neatness, relevancy, accuracy, quality of thought and following instructions.

Please note that everything must be your own original work.  Do not use any paper or article that you have used or are using in any other course.