INSTRUCTIONS: Select anytwoof the following questions and answer themcompletely. That means answeringallof the items in each question. This exam is “open book”. This means that you may access a...

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Select anytwoof the following questions and answer themcompletely. That means answeringallof the items in each question.


• This exam is “open book”. This means that you may access a variety ofwrittensources of information, including but not limited to the material assigned in the course, when preparing your answers. You maynotobtain assistance from any other person. You may not use AI assistance to complete this exam.


• Exams must be double-spaced, using 12-point Times New Roman or similar font. Start each essay on a new page and clearly identify the question you are answering (i.e., do not number your essays #1, #2, and #3 if you are answering questions #2, #4, and #5). Do not write your essay in all caps, all italics, bold, etc. – basically don’t make it more difficult for me to read, please.


• Do not cut and paste or otherwise include the text of the question in your essay.


• Your responses must be in essay format – not bullet points, outlines, etc.


• Each essay must be aminimumofthreetyped pages, not including references. You may need much more than this to answer a question completely.


• 
  You must include at least two outside references per essay, in addition to any works you cite that were assigned in the course.
  


• All sources must be properly cited, in APA format, and must include an in-text citation. You must include a separate reference list for each essay. The FIU Library website offers help withAPA formattingand you can find anAPA format “cheat sheet”.


• The sources you use must be acceptable in a graduate-level course. This includes textbooks, academic journals, government websites (e.g., NIJ, OVC), and so on. Wikipedia and similar open-source websites are not acceptable references. The use of unacceptable sources may impact your grade. If you are not certain whether a source is acceptable, you may ask me.


• After completing your exam, combine all essays into one document. Please proofread and run a spellcheck before uploading to Turnitin.


• Remember, plagiarism and cheating are not tolerated and will be reported.

Because this is an untimed open book exam, your responses will be expected to be significantly more detailed and complete than if you were taking a timed exam in class.You are expected to do outside research and incorporate that into your essays.In addition, please remember that spelling, grammar, punctuation, organization, and clarity will count – so please remember to run the spellcheck and to proofread!

For extra help, please see “Taking an Open Book Essay Exam” located on Canvas.

QUESTIONS:

1. (a) Beniamin Mendelsohn outlined five types of victims that he believed should be studied by victimologists. However, the World Society of Victimology (WSV) definition of victimology focuses specifically on criminal victimization. Explain Mendelsohn’s concept of general victimology. Include a definition and at least two detailed examples of each of the five types of victims that Mendelsohn proposed.

(b) Assume that the WSV is considering revising this definition and your input has been requested. Which, if any of the additional types of victims Mendelsohn identified should be included in the WSV definition? Explain why you have chosen to include or exclude each type of victim and provide support for your decision.

1. The view that victims of crime share responsibility with offenders is not new.

(a) Discuss the concepts of victim blaming and victim precipitation, including the strengths and weaknesses of each concept. Incorporate research findings into your response.

(b) Explain the research by Wolfgang and Amir and how these studies contributed to the view of victim and offender responsibility.

(c) Identify and discuss any advantages and any disadvantages of acknowledging the possibility that victims may precipitate, or at least share the responsibility for the crime with the offender.

(d) When studying crimes of sexual assault/rape, do you think that the study of victim selection (why the offender targeted a particular victim) is an important issue or is it really a form of victim blaming? Explain and provide detailed support for your opinion.

3. Identify two interactional or opportunities theories of victimization and explain each in detail.

(a) For each theory, provide a detailed summary of the theory and describe how the theory explains how circumstances favorable to victimization are created. Remember to incorporate research findings into your response.

(b) For each theory, identify a recent local crime (you may want to look through theMiami Heraldor theSun-Sentinel) and apply the theory to the crime. Identify possible victim responsibility as well as any potential for victim blaming.

4. Consider the issue of recurring victimization.

(a) Identify at least two reasons why recurring victimization is an important area of study and provide support for these reasons.

(b) Explain the four theories of recurring victimization in detail. Discuss how each theory has a role in explaining and preventing recurring victimization.

(c) Explain the time-course of recurring victimization. Provide an explanation as to why the period of risk is heightened soon after the previous victimization event and why the risk of recurring victimization declines over time.

5. (a) Explain the concept of victim/offender overlap and explain the principle of homogamy.

(b) Explain in detail how Schreck has used Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime to explain risk of victimization, specifically victim/offender overlap.

(c) Include a discussion of the key dimensions of self-control and how Schreck has revised them to apply to victimization rather than offending.

(d) Based on recent research (including Nofziger 2009), explain two ways in which self-control appears to influence victimization. Incorporate research support into your explanation.

6. (a) Select a type of crime (other than IPV) and explain the ways in which having a prior criminal history may affect how a victim of this crime may be treated by the criminal justice system, victim services, and society in general.

(b) Incorporate research into your essay that supports your claims.

7. (a) Explain in detail the social interactionism theory of homicide victimization, including a discussion of the key stages.

(b) Select one other theory of homicide victimization and give a detailed explanation of that theory as well.

(c) Are the two theories compatible? In other words, can they both be used together to explain homicide victimization? If yes, explain how they can be combined. If no, provide a detailed explanation as to why they are not compatible. Provide support and justification for your views.

8. (a) Discuss in detail the various effects of homicide on survivors, including how their involvement with the criminal justice system may affect survivors and their long-term recovery. Incorporate research findings into your discussion.

(b) Select two familial relationships between victims and survivors and explain how each relationship affects the impact of homicide on the survivor. Incorporate research findings into your discussion.

(c) Some scholars consider the family and friends of the offender in a homicide to be secondary victims. Discuss the impact that homicide may have on these individuals and include research supporting your discussion.