Discourse Community Analysis of Criminology and Law
Part One
In a brief essay of at least 700 words, describe how scholars in your field conduct research for publication. Here are a few questions to help you get started thinking about this subject:
• What unique viewpoint does your discipline bring to problems or real-world situations?
• What lens do people in your discipline view problems through?
• What kinds of debates do scholars in your field write about? Alternatively, what kinds of researchers are involved in research on your topic?
• What are some current topics scholarly articles in your field tackle? Or, who are the most current voices in the conversation on your topic?
• Do scholars in your field conduct first-hand research? What kind of data do they use?
• How many outside sources do scholars in your field or researchers in your discourse community quote from or reference in their essays?
• What kind of resources do members of your discourse community rely on?
• How is published knowledge constructed and shared in your field?
• How do scholars evaluate the quality of published research by others in the field?
• What are some important theories in your field? Who are some important thinkers?
• Are there certain professional organizations that people in your field are likely to belong to?
• What are the most important journals in your field or dealing with your research topic?
If it helps, imagine that your essay will be published as a brief guidebook to be handed out to GMU students when they declare a major in your academic discipline or to introduce them to the expectations of your discourse community.
Your response to this assignment should be typed and double-spaced using Times New Roman 12pt font. Include your name and the assignment name at the top of the page.
Part Two
In a reflection of at least 300 words, discuss how you decided where to draw the limits of your discourse community. Describe challenges you have encountered finding unresolved issues in your field. Describe how you researched the members of your research community. How does having a discourse community in mind make you think about the possible counterpoints or different reactions readers might have to your writing?
