Victimology & Routines Activity Theory
The rationale behind DFs is to generate discussion among your classmates that would typically occur during group activities or class discussions held on-campus in honors classes. Thus, students are expected to submit four of the five main posts and reply to at least two peer posts for the four weeks they choose to participate. Main posts should be about 250+ words while peer responses are required to have a minimum of five complete sentences. At the bottom of every DF post (i.e., main posts and peer responses), state your word count.
Readings: Chapter 3
Instructions
- Select ONE PDF option and post your response below.
- Your main PDF Post should be at least 3 paragraphs in length (250-words minimum).
- Students may exceed the minimum word count; however, aim to write succinctly.
- Answer your chosen prompt thoroughly, using the assigned readings to substantiate your arguments.
- Be sure to indicate which option you chose by writing the option number and option title.
- Your two Peer Response Posts should be at least five sentences—for each Peer Response.
- Include a word count at the end of your main post and for your two Peer Response posts.
- Note: There are several steps to complete your chosen DF option for this DF; therefore, please make sure to review your main post before you submit it.
Option #1: Routines Activity Theory
Overview: This option will allow you to explore factors that are associated with Routines Activity Theory.
According to Routine Activities Theory, victimization occurs due to the following reasons:
- The availability of suitable targets, such as an unlocked car;
- The absence of capable guardians, such as a corner of a store without any cameras;
- And, finally, the presence of motivated offenders, such as an experienced burglar or shoplifter in the need of cash or items (Siegel 2011).
Moreover, out in the real world, you can see this theory actualized throughout the many public places we visit and experience on a daily basis.
Task #1 Instructions:
- Throughout this week, try to keep an eye out for two of the three factors needed for victimization to occur: The availability of suitable targets and the absence of capable guardians. When you notice these concepts from Routine Activities Theory occurring, take a quick picture if possible (always avoid it if it could possibly lead to you getting in trouble or put you in a dangerous situation). Alternatively, you may also conduct virtual research and find the images online. However, please make sure the images are not obscene or vulgar.
- Regardless if you take your own photos or find them online, attach the photos to your main post by embedding them in your main post.
- Create a main post describing what you saw and explain how it is an example Routine Activities Theory. You must include the terms suitable target and capable guardians in your main post. These terms should be applied correctly based on our course material. Include your photos for these two concepts in your main post.
- Although I am not having you find images for motivated offenders because there is an element of assumption here, you should still define what this concept means and briefly describe predatory behaviors that would elicit a motivated offender.
- Define victimology and describe who was victimized in your chosen Routine Activities Theory photo example.
Option #2: Victimology
Note: Due to the sensitive topics of rape, sexual assault, and other forms of victimization, if you are sensitive to said topics, then I encourage you to select Option #1 instead or skip this week’s discussion (if you have a free skip).
Overview: Select one theory from the victimology chapter of your choice and research one recent example.
Task #1 Instructions: Locate a recent news story that relates to one of the theories covered in chapter 3 in some way and write a main post in which you apply and define two concepts and one theory from chapter 3 to the news article under investigation.
Tips
- Be sure to type-up your all your work on a separate Word document or Google Docs document and save your work periodically. Doing so will save you from losing your work due to technological failures or accidents.
- “A” students always substantiate their arguments using the course readings, lecture notes, chosen prompt materials, and the like by proper citing using either ASA, APA, MLA, Chicago Style, MLA, etcetera.
- Make sure to use proper grammar and punctuation in this honors-level course in all correspondence. Please avoid “text” or “Internet lingo” when corresponding.
- Students have the option to skip one week of the DFs of their choice.
- If you plan on completing this week’s DF, then you must also write two Peer Responses.
- If you plan on skipping it, then simply reply “skip” in this DF thread.
Important Information to Review