Comprehensive Exam

Table of Contents

Question 1: Criminological Theory1

Criminology1

Gang Activity1

Theories Applied2

Question 2: Media Relations4

The evolving Media4

Theoretical Perspective4

Role of Media in acceptance of social problems5

Role of media in crime instigation6

Question 3: Budget Analysis7

Line Item Budgeting7

Advantages of Line Item Budgeting7

Easy to Make7

Flexible Control7

Past Data8

Shortfalls of the method8

Items included in the Format8

Performance-based budgeting8

Advantages of Performance-Based Budgeting9

Clearer Objectives9

Accountability9

Improved Performance9

Shortfalls of Performance-Based Budgeting10

Limits vs. Targets10

Measurement10

Cost Analysis10

Items included in the format10

Differences between the operating and the capital sections of the budget11

Question 4: Assessing Organizational Performance12

The process of bureaucratic change12

Question 5: Multi-class question14

Contagion analysis - Bureaucracy and Federalism14

References15

Comprehensive Exam

Question 1: Criminological Theory

Criminology

Criminology is a subject with a lot of theories that explain the behaviors related to crime and crime rate. All the theories have various sub branches that further expand to explain a certain area of discussion. The following answer to the question shall explain the two theories of criminology that are social structure and social processes covering a few branches of these theories (www.appa-net.org). On the other hand, it shall also explain how these theories are applied to the phenomenon of gang homicides, activities and violence that are one of the most prevalent crime activities in the United States of America.

Gang Activity

Gang activities and homicides have become a serious problematic issue in the United States of America. In response to this, Department of Justice has launched different methods to control crime rates in different locations. The approached tend to punish the individuals who are associated with gangs to prevent and suppress gang activity through a strategy (www.appa-net.org). However, this cannot be done alone by the Justice Department. It requires enforcement of law and correcting the operations of the agencies by allocating resources in a proper manner. It has been observed that there are 27,900 gangs involved in illegal activities impacting towns and cities (www.dosomething.org). The activities are prevalent in 50 states of America, mainly in the urban areas. As the recent bulletin had been released, according to which 23 percent of students have reported that they have been experiencing gang problems at a high rate since the last six months. So, it is noticed that such activities have been increasing day by day (www.dosomething.org).

Theories Applied

The Social theorists believe that delinquent behavior is instigated through dominating social and economic influences among the population. Here, social disorganization, strain and cultural deviance theories fall under the pillar of social structural theories defining the basis for criminal behaviors and violence (Rock, n.d). According to the Mayor reports, crimes have been increasing the cities and towns at a rapid rate and actions are to be taken in order to control the spread of gang activities.

The social disorganization theory focuses over the circumstances because of which crimes occur. It has been suggested that crimes occur because of the lower class neighborhoods that children are raised in. This becomes the reason that they choose violence and association with gangs (Rock, n.d). On the other hand, according to the strain theory suggests that crimes result when people have high aspirations, but they cannot find the way ...