Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains how conflict theory is related to both criminology and sociology using appropriate terminology.

Proficient - Clearly explains how conflict theory is related to both criminology and sociology using appropriate terminology. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains how conflict theory is related to both criminology and sociology using somewhat appropriate terminology. The explanation is unclear and/or underdeveloped. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how conflict theory is related to both criminology and sociology; however, does not use appropriate terminology and the explanation is significantly unclear and underdeveloped. 

Non-Performance - The explanation of how conflict theory is related to both criminology and sociology using appropriate terminology is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively discusses how politics play a role in conflict theory using appropriate terminology.

Proficient - Clearly discusses how politics play a role in conflict theory using appropriate terminology. The discussion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally discusses how politics play a role in conflict theory using somewhat appropriate terminology. The discussion is underdeveloped and/or unclear. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss how politics play a role in conflict theory; however, does not use appropriate terminology and the discussion is significantly underdeveloped and unclear. 

Non-Performance - The discussion of how politics play a role in conflict theory using appropriate terminology is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively discusses how politics influence crime rates of the lower class using appropriate terminology.

Proficient - Discusses how politics influence crime rates of the lower class using appropriate terminology.  However, the information was slightly underdeveloped.  

Basic - Minimally discusses how politics influence crime rates of the lower class using somewhat appropriate terminology.  The discussion is underdeveloped and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss how politics influence crime rates of the lower class; however, does not use appropriate terminology and the discussion is significantly underdeveloped and unclear.

Non-Performance - The discussion of discusses how politics influence crime rates of the lower class using appropriate terminology is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively evaluates various sociological schools of crime causation using appropriate terminology.

Proficient - Clearly evaluates various sociological schools of crime causation using appropriate terminology. The evaluation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally evaluates various sociological schools of crime causation using somewhat appropriate terminology. The evaluation is underdeveloped and/or unclear. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate various sociological schools of crime causation; however, does not use appropriate terminology and the evaluation is significantly underdeveloped and unclear. 

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the various sociological schools of crime causation using appropriate terminology is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.