Course syllabus

 

CRIM 701: Criminological Theory

SEMESTER 1, 2018

30 points

Teacher:

James Oleson - j.oleson@auckland.ac.nz

Course delivery format:

One three-hour seminar format meeting per week.

Summary of Course Description:              

An examination of classical and contemporary theories of crime, including sociological, psychological, medical, rational-choice and critical perspectives on criminology. Attention will be given to the construction of theory as it is informed by social science research, to the social, cultural and political contexts in which these theories have emerged and to the influence of theories in criminal justice policies.

In this course we will evaluate the leading theories of criminal behaviour, with particular focus on theoretical assumptions about human nature and social institutions, and considering the policy implications that flow from these theories. 

This 30-point postgraduate course should not be too burdensome in terms of lengthy readings (with the possible exception of weeks two and three), but you will be expected to have a sound command of each week’s reading assignments and to participate actively in class discussions. There will two cumulative in-class quizzes. Additionally, you will be asked to prepare three reflection papers and a longer (6,000 word) analytical essay.

Course outcomes:

By the end of this course, a student should:

• Be familiar with classical theories
• Be familiar with biological theories
• Be familiar with psychological theories
• Be familiar with social disorganization and related theories
• Be familiar with control theories
• Be familiar with labelling and related theories
• Be familiar with critical theories
• Be familiar with routine activities theories
• Be familiar with feminist theories
• Be familiar with life-course theories
• Be familiar with cultural criminology theories
• Understand the relevance of these criminological theories and critically analyse them
• Understand some of the policy implications that may flow from these theoretical frameworks
• Be able to write a 6,000-word analytical essay on a relevant topic, combining academic research and critical analysis

Assessment Summary:

This course is assessed through three interrelated measures:  (1) three reflection papers – each of these must be 1000 words in length or less (25% of your overall grade), (2) two in-class quizzes, covering the assigned readings for the cumulative five weeks (25% of your grade), and (3) a 6,000 word analytical essay (worth 50% of your grade). I use a point system, in which 100.0 points are available for this course.

Reflection Papers (25%): You will be assessed on the basis of three reflection papers to be submitted throughout this course. These are neither research essays nor extended descriptions, but are expected to be thoughtful, critical responses to assigned readings. They must be 1000 words in length or less (the writing should be tight: every word should count). I will provide you with an example at our first meeting. 

Quizzes (25%): You will be assessed on two in-class quizzes that will probe your familiarity with the reading for that week and the previous weeks. For each quiz, you will have 60 minutes to answer 10-20 short questions and respond to one essay prompt. The purpose of the quizzes is to incentivise student reading – for those who have done the reading, the quizzes should be very straightforward (and an easy way to earn points) while it will be difficult for those who have not done the reading to bluff their way through it.

Analytical Essay (50%): You will be asked to submit a 6,000 word analytical essay that will involve synthesizing multiple topics and conducting independent research. You will be asked to relate two or more criminological theories to one or more feature films – the specific assignment will be provided for you in Week 5 (alternatively, you can propose your own theory/film combination and – if approved – write on that topic).

Weekly Topics:

Week 1 (27 February 2018): Introduction: What theory? Why theory?

Introduction to the course

Classroom discussion of science, criminology, theory, and analysis

Week 2 (6 March 2018): Classical theories

Please have read:           

Beccaria, C. (1872). An Essay on Crimes and Punishments.

Week 3 (13 March 2018):  Biological theories

Reflection paper #1 due

Please have read:           

Lombroso-Ferrero, G. (1911). Criminal Man: According to the Classification of Cesare Lombroso.

Week 4 (20 March 2018): Psychological theories

Please have read:           

Jolliffe, D., & Farrington, D. P. (2010). “Individual Differences and Offending.” From SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory online.

Week 5 (27 March 2018): Social disorganization, anomie and strain theories

Quiz 1

Essay topics announced

Please have read:           

• Hallsworth, S., & Young, T. (2010). “Street Collectives and Group Delinquency: Social Disorganization, Subcultures and Beyond.” From SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory online.
• Agnew, R., & Brezina, T. (2010). “Strain Theories.” From SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory online.

30 March-14 April 2018: Mid-Semester Break (No class meetings)

Week 6 (17 April 2018): Control theories

Please have read:           

Paternoster, R., & Bachman, R. (2010). “Control Theories.” From SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory online.

Week 7 (24 April 2018): Labelling and related theories 

Please have read:

Muncie, J. (2010). “Labelling, Social Reaction, and Social Constructionism.” From SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory online.

Week 8 (1 May 2018): Conflict and Marxist theories

Reflection paper #2

Please have read:           

McLaughlin, E. (2010). “Critical Criminology.” From SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory online.

Week 9 (8 May 2018): Routine activities theories

Please have read:           

Chamard, S. (2010). “Routine Activities.” From SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory online.

Week 10 (15 May 2018):  Feminist and life-course theories

Quiz 2                                                                   

Please have read:

• Daly, K. (2010). “Feminist Perspectives in Criminology: A Review with Generation Y in Mind.” From SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory online.
• Farrington, D. (2010). “Life-Course and Developmental Theories in Criminology.” From SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory online.

Week 11 (22 May 2018): Cultural criminology

Please have read:           

Ferrell, J. (2010). “Cultural Criminology: The Loose Can[n]on.” From SAGE Handbook of Criminological Theory

Week 12 (29 May 2018): So what? The state of public criminology

Reflection paper #3

Please have read:

• Austin, J. (2003). "Why criminology is irrelevant." Criminology & Public Policy3: 557-564.
• Uggen, C., & Inderbitzin, M. (2010). Public criminologies. Criminology & Public Policy, 9(4): 725-749.

 

Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.