Overview
This task is for someone proficient and has an understanding of American based Political Science and Policy development. Upon accepting the task, I will give you login information that will give you access to Canvas where you will find helpful advice from the professor, etc.
Policy Model Paper
Description: You will select the model that you think best describes the policy development/path dependency of prison reform as described in The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. I expect that your paper will be 5 to 8 pages in length will customary formatting, i.e., double spaced, 11 or 12 point font with standard margins. In the first third of the paper, you will describe the policy model that you selected. In the second third, you will show the connection between the important details in the book and the model that you select. In the final third, you will pick a second policy model and briefly describe this model and tell me why you think it also might describe mass incarceration in the United States
First Third: 8 Points: You will pick a policy model from the four that I describe in the week four slides. You will tell me which model you believe best describes the progression of policy with prisons from the Alexander readings. You may start at any point in time. You will then describe in detail the theory that you selected. You may use my notes, the textbook or other independent sources. I will grade this section based on the quality of the writing, grammar/spelling and completeness. Please do not copy and paste what I have written.
Second Third: 8 Points: You will show me how the facts fit the model you selected. How did the issue progress in ways suggested by the model that you chose? Here you should think about your model and its features. If you picked punctuated equilibrium, you want to discuss outside interests and iron triangles/policy monopolies. If you pick advocacy coalitions, then you should talk about the coalitions in the political subsystem. What about a policy broker? If you select the streams model, you will need to discuss the policy streams and windows of opportunity. I will grade this section on a number of criteria: Were you persuasive? Do the facts fit the model that you selected? Did you clearly understand how the model worked? Were you able to use the terms discussed in class? I will also grade this on writing quality/grammar and completeness.
Final Third: 5 points: Here you will pick a second model that you think might also describe Mass Incarceration in the United States and then describe very briefly how the facts fit the model. I will grade this section on the criteria for the previous two sections.
Bibliography: 4 points: Please document your sources correctly and include it in your bibliography. You can choose any style but you must stick with the style throughout.