Teaching Social Networks: How We Can Use Elections To Teach Criminal Justice Students

• In Event: Community-based Learning in Criminal Justice Classes

Abstract

Social network analysis is a growing methodology in criminology. Criminologists are familiar with the method for peer influence/selection, criminal organizations’ structure, and criminal collaborations. However, network relationships exist in a myriad of ways including campaign contributions in elections. Elections are a vital social phenomenon involving candidates and citizens. However, little work has examined criminal justice elections as a teaching tool for SNA. Criminal justice elections provide an opportunity to teach students about SNA in an understandable way. The method is often confined to teaching graduate students, yet it can be applied to teach undergraduate students important research skills. This research outlines how criminal justice educators can utilize judicial elections data to explain the method. I utilize a dataset of campaign contributions in judicial elections in one Pennsylvania County in two separate years to understand how to teach structure, density, and centrality to undergraduate students. This dataset involves over 4,000 contributors ranging from individuals, businesses, and Political Action Committees. Undergraduate students help transcribe the data to create this two-mode network to have hands-on experience with networks data in the classroom. We will discuss how this research can be utilized in a classroom to grow interest, teach, and increase skills in SNA.

Author

• John D. Crum, Juniata College