Arthur Shawcross, let’s watch a bit (not bite) of an interview. Summarize the interview for me. Now focus on two things, masculinity issues and biological factors. With the video and your readings in mind, what factors concerning masculinity contributed to Shawcross’s actions? With the video and your readings in mind, what factors concerning biology contributed to Shawcross’s actions? What do you believe to be the most powerful variables contributing to his serial killing? What do you believe could have happened to limit the likelihood of them occurring? On that question, what do you make of the seven “explanations” presented in your main reading and the subsequent comments on “What can be done to reduce violence to self and others?” Is any of it applicable to Shawcross?
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Judicial Process
At least 2 paragraphs
References: The Impact of Law on African American Males Preston C. Green III The Pennsylvania State University
Text: Law and Society by Matthew Lippman. Sage Publications, any edition. ISBN: 978-1071919248 (2024), 978-1-4129-8754-7 (2015), 978-1506362274 (2017), or 978-1544392585 (2020)/ Chapter 11: Law and Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Please reflect on the following question for this week’s journal. How is the Civil Rights Act of 1964 intended to protect African American males from government discrimination?
At least 2 paragraphs
References: Institutionalized child abuse The use of child soldiers Carrie E. Kimmel and Jini L. Roby
Text: Law and Society by Matthew Lippman. Sage Publications, any edition. ISBN: 978-1071919248 (2024), 978-1-4129-8754-7 (2015), 978-1506362274 (2017), or 978-1544392585 (2020)/ Chapter 11: Law and Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Please discuss the following question after reading Kimmel and Roby (2007). What are the macro level methods of interventions to prevent child soldiers?
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Juvenile Justice System
At least 2 paragraphs
Reference: Larry J. Siegel & Brandon C. Welsh (2017) Juvenile Delinquency: The Core (6th edition)
ISBN: 978-1-305-57741-1
No time stamps
Watch the video below. The video concerns teen drug abuse. Consider points in the video that relate to your assigned readings for the week, especially in terms of teens abusing prescription drugs. Write a paragraph or more discussing your reaction to the video.
Reference: Larry J. Siegel & Brandon C. Welsh (2017) Juvenile Delinquency: The Core (6th edition)
Chapter 10 focuses on drug use and juveniles. The reading for this week involves underage drinking. Indeed, drinking issues are considered substance abuse issues. With your first paragraph, identify the reasons the US Surgeon General’s Office believes underage drinking is a critical social problem. In your second paragraph, discuss whether or not you agree. When you were a kid, did you (or people you knew when you were a juvenile) drink alcohol on a regular basis? Did it have significant negative results on your life (or for the lives of the people you knew who consumed alcohol)? Conversely, did alcohol consumption for you (or the people you knew as a juvenile) have no real impact at all?
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/underage-drinking-community-guide.pdf
This assignment asks you to summarize an Arthur Shawcross interview, then analyze the masculinity and biological factors behind his crimes, identify the most powerful contributing variables, and consider what could have prevented them — applying your readings’ explanations. Keep it analytical and evidence-based, drawing on criminology, not sensationalism.
Key takeaways
- Summarize the interview objectively and concisely.
- Analyze masculinity-related factors (identity, aggression, social expectations).
- Analyze biological factors (the XYY claim, head injury, brain abnormalities noted in his case).
- Weigh which variables were most powerful and why.
- Apply the reading’s explanations and prevention ideas to Shawcross.
Summarize the interview
Give a concise, objective summary of what Shawcross says and how he presents — his account, affect, and any rationalizations — without sensationalizing.
Masculinity factors
Analyze how masculinity may have contributed: constructions of male identity and aggression, feelings of inadequacy or emasculation, and how social expectations of manhood can channel into violence. Tie to your readings on gender and offending.
Biological factors
Discuss biological contributions raised in his case and the literature — claimed genetic abnormalities, head trauma, and neurological findings — while noting that biology interacts with environment rather than determining behavior.
Most powerful variables and prevention
Argue which factors were most influential and why, then apply the seven explanations from your main reading: which could have interrupted the path (early intervention, mental-health treatment, addressing trauma/abuse)? Assess what’s realistically applicable to Shawcross.
Format
Keep it analytical and cite your readings.