communication

Research Exercise 2:
There are many points in the communication process where communication can break down. Even when people share
a common language, things can go wrong. This is especially true in the Criminal Justice system, where you interact
with people from multiple cultures and backgrounds, and with various disabilities on a daily basis. In this assignment,
you are to analyze barriers to effective communication that can arise due to ONE of the following:
• Culture
• Race
• Socio-economic background
• Gender
• Disability
• Mental Illness
In your essay you should analyze and explain specific causes for communication barriers to exist based on the category
you choose and what impact these barriers can have on those working in the criminal justice system. Lastly, who
should develop strategies for overcoming these barriers and discuss the barriers you might face when implementing
these strategies.
The strategies you develop can be either individualized strategies, or strategies that could be applied within an agency
or organization. Depending on your perspective, each of these choices poses specific challenges that should be
analyzed and explained in your response.
In constructing your answer, you MUST include at least two (2) peer-reviewed, published articles, in addition to
the following references where applicable:
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking when Stakes are High, second edition (Chapter 5: “Make it Safe)
• •
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking when Stakes are High, second edition (Chapter 6: “Master My Stories.”)
• •
Ibarra, Peter, “Contacts with the Police: Patterns and Meanings in a Multicultural Realm,” Police & Society 7 (2003),
135-166.
• •
Schneider, Stephen R., “Overcoming Barriers to Communication Between Police and Socially Disadvantaged
• •
Neighborhoods: A Critical Theory of Community Policing.” Crime, Law, and Social Change 30:4, 347-377.
Assignment Mechanics:
• Your response should be six (6) to eight (8) pages in length, double spaced, 12-point font, with
standard margins.
• All resources should be properly cited using APAformat.
• Refer to the grading rubric for this assignment for specifics on grading requirements.
Assignment Rubric
Criteria Exemplary Above Average Adequate Inadequate
Grade 90-100 80-89 70-79 60-69
Content Content thoroughly
answers question
prompt. Content
supports a central thesis
that is based on the
question prompt.
Contains in-depth
analysis and original
thought.
Content indicates
original thinking and
develops ideas with
sufficient support, but
does not completely
answer question
prompt.
Content indicates
thinking and reasoning
applied with original
thought on a few ideas.
Only portions of
question prompt are
addressed.
Shows some thinking
and reasoning but most
ideas are
underdeveloped and
unoriginal. Content
fails to answer question
prompt.
Development Main points well
developed with high
quality and sufficient
support and
documentation. Reveals
a high degree of critical
thinking.
Main points are well
developed with quality
supporting details and
quantity. Shows a level
of critical thinking
throughout the
assignment.
Main points are present
with limited detail and
development. Some
critical thinking is
present.
Main points lack
detailed development.
Ideas are vague with
little evidence of critical
thinking. Little original
work.
Organization Writing shows high
degree of attention to
logic and reasoning of
points. Writing is
organized in a logical
manner that clearly
leads to the conclusion.
Central thesis it
developed throughout
the writing.
Writing is coherent and
logically organized with
transition used between
ideas and paragraphs
to create coherence.
Writing is coherent and
logically organized.
Some points remain
misplaced and stray
from central thesis.
Transitions evident but
not used effectively
throughout.
Writing lacks logical
organization. There is
some coherence, but
overall structure of the
assignment lacks
cohesion.
Grammar and
Mechanics
Writing is free from
grammar, punctuation,
and spelling errors.
Some grammar,
punctuation, and/or
spelling errors are
present in the writing,
but they are not
sufficient to distract
from the essay.
Grammar, punctuation,
and/or spelling errors
are present, but create
minimal distraction from
the essay.
Grammar, punctuation,
and/or spelling errors
exist in abundance and
significantly detract
from the essay.
Style Writing style is at a
consistently high level
and shows a level of
sophistication
commensurate with or
surpassing University
grade level. Transitions
are clear and
appropriate.
Writing style is at a high
level. Uses a variety of
sentence structures
and rhetorical devices
to enhance writing.
Transitions are clear
and appropriate.
Writing style
approaches University
grade level but lacks
high level sophistication
and rhetorical
development.
Writing style is mostly
elementary in form.
Little variety in
sentence structure or
rhetorical development.
Format Meets all format and
assignment
requirements.
Assignment is neat and
has a professional look.
Meets all format and
assignment
requirements.
Assignment is neat and
correctly assembled.
Generally meets format
and assignment
requirements. Some
errors throughout, but
does not detract from
overall assignment.
Fails to follow format
and assignment
requirements. Errors
significantly detract
from overall
assignment.