Distinguished - Comprehensively and clearly evaluates one theory from each perspective of criminological theory.

Proficient - Evaluates one theory from each perspective of criminological theory. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Minimally evaluates one theory from each perspective of criminological theory. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate one theory from each perspective of criminological theory; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of one theory from each perspective of criminological theory is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively and clearly assesses the role of each theory in explaining the causes of criminal behavior.

Proficient - Assesses the role of each theory in explaining the causes of criminal behavior. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Minimally assesses the role of each theory in explaining the causes of criminal behavior. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to assess the role of each theory in explaining the causes of criminal behavior; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The assessment of the role of each theory in explaining the causes of criminal behavior is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes one of the theories.

Proficient - Analyzes one of the theories. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes one of the theories. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze one of the theories; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively and clearly evaluates the relationship between the chosen theory and criminal behavior.

Proficient - Evaluates the relationship between the chosen theory and criminal behavior. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Minimally evaluates the relationship between the chosen theory and criminal behavior. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the relationship between the chosen theory and criminal behavior; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the relationship between the chosen theory and criminal behavior is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly establishes a clear link between the chosen theory and a current criminal case.

Proficient - Establishes a link between the chosen theory and a current criminal case. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially establishes a link between the chosen theory and a current criminal case. Relevant details are missing or the link between the theory and the case may be slightly unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to establish a link between the chosen theory and a current criminal case; however, significant details are missing and/or the link between the theory and the case is unclear.

Non-Performance - The link between the chosen theory and a current criminal case 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.